Admission Criteria Expand Applicants must have successfully completed an APAC-accredited fourth year course in psychology and be eligible to hold provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Applicants must be willing to undertake a Victorian Police Check and Working with Children Check. International students must provide evidence of meeting certain English language requirements. For more information, please click here. The following documentation is also required: Most recent academic transcripts. A current curriculum vitae. A 500-word personal statement outlining why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar. Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate). Two academic and one professional reference using the online HODSPA reference system. A guide on how to use the system is available here. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants with the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the course of study.
Admission Criteria Expand Applicants must have completed an APAC accredited three-year sequence of study in psychology, or equivalent overseas qualification (as assessed by the APS). Minimum entry standard is a credit average (60%) in the undergraduate or equivalent degree. Applicants should have a credit grade or above in most psychology units. Applicants who completed their psychology sequence more than ten years ago may be asked to complete a refresher sequence prior to a formal offer being made. Work experience in the intervening period since completing studies in psychology is considered favourable in this circumstance. See our application portal for detailed instructions on making an application. Further documentation required in the application: Most recent academic transcripts. A current curriculum vitae (resume). A 500-word personal statement outlining what factors have contributed to the application and why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar. Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate). International students please see the International Student Page for further requirements and support in applying for courses at Cairnmillar.
Admission Criteria Expand Admission directly into the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy requires: An Australian Bachelors degree (AQF level 7) in a related discipline (e.g., teaching, social work, psychology or counselling) with a minimum weighted average mark of 70. Prospective students who have an Australian Bachelors degree in a non-relevant discipline must enrol in the Graduate Diploma course first to assess their suitability (with a pathway to progress into the Masters course). Applicants with a non-related qualification are encouraged to undertake Cairnmillar’s Counselling Skills Foundational and Intermediate professional development and training courses, to establish a baseline competency of counselling skills. Please note, the need to undertake one or both short courses will be discussed in an Admissions Interview, should your application be progressed. International applicants please see (International students page) and (FAQs). Documentation required in the application: Most recent academic transcript(s). A current Curriculum Vitae (resume). Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate). Two references, preferably at least one academic, using the HODSPA reference system. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants an opportunity to discuss any questions they may have about the course.
Admission Criteria Expand Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy requires one of the following: An Australian Bachelors degree (AQF level 7) in a related discipline (e.g., teaching, social work, psychology or counselling) with a minimum weighted average mark of 60. An Australian Bachelors degree in any discipline, with a minimum weighted average mark of 60 AND relevant work experience, Please note, applicants undertaking this pathway may be asked to complete Cairnmillar’s Foundational and Intermediate counselling skills short courses, to establish a baseline competency and skill level. The need to undertake one or both short courses will be discussed in an Admissions Interview, should your application be progressed. A Diploma (AQF level 5) or Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) AND at least one year of work experience in a relevant field. Documentation required in the application: Most recent academic transcript(s). A current Curriculum Vitae (resume). Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate). Two references, preferably at least one academic, using the HODSPA reference system. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants an opportunity to discuss any questions they may have about the course.
Admission Criteria Expand Admission to the Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy requires one of the following: An Australian Bachelors degree in any discipline, with a minimum weighted average mark of 60 AND relevant work experience, Please note, applicants undertaking this pathway may be asked to complete Cairnmillar’s Foundational and Intermediate counselling skills professional development and training courses, to establish a baseline competency and skill level. The need to undertake one or both short courses will be discussed in an Admissions Interview, should your application be progressed. A Diploma (AQF level 5) or Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) AND at least one year of work experience in a relevant field (e.g., teaching, social work, psychology or counselling). This course is not available to international students. Documentation required in the application: Most recent academic transcript(s). A current Curriculum Vitae (resume). Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate). Two references, preferably at least one academic, using the HODSPA reference system. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants an opportunity to discuss any questions they may have about the course
Admission Criteria Expand Applicants to this program must have completed a four-year APAC accredited sequence of studies in psychology at first or upper second-class level, normally H1 (80%), or equivalent overseas qualifications recognised by the APS, or a Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) recognised by APAC. Applicants must demonstrate possession of an appropriate level of knowledge and skill related to research. In accordance with the guidelines set by The Cairnmillar Institute, to have applied for and gained candidature approved by The Cairnmillar Institute Student Review Committee. Applicants who fail to gain candidature will not be eligible to continue in the doctoral program and may choose to apply for a place in the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program. An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared, taking into account (a) academic record, (b) previous work experience and training, (c) academic and professional referee reports and (d) admissions interview. Please see our application portal for detailed instructions on submitting an application. Documentation required in the application includes: Most recent academic transcripts. A current Curriculum Vitae (resume). A 500-word personal statement outlining why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar. Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate) Two academic and one professional reference using the HODSPA reference system. A guide on how to use the system is available here. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants with the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the course of study.
Admissions Transparency Expand Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made in 2022 (exclusive of any adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points): TBC Lowest Selection Rank to which a recent Year 12 student offer was made in 2022 (including the consideration of any equity or other adjustment factors): TBC Minimum Selection Rank required for consideration: 65 ATAR and selection rank profiles for those offered places wholly or partly based on ATAR in 2022 (as at X Date): (ATAR-based offers only, across all offer rounds) ATAR* (Excluding adjustment factors) Selection Rank* (Including adjustment factors) Highest rank to receive an offer TBC TBC Median rank to receive an offer TBC TBC Lowest rank to receive an offer TBC TBC Admission Profile Information Student Profiles The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2022, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background 2022 Semester 1 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Past higher education study(includes a bridging or enabling course) <5 N/P (B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/P (C) Work and life experience(Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) <5 N/P (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) N/A N/A Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) N/A N/A Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation with no minimum ATAR) N/A N/A International students N/A N/A All students 8 100% Notes:“<5” – the number of students is less than 5N/A – Students not accepted in this categoryN/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Adult Psychopathology and Intervention (CLN602) Expand The aim of this unit is to assist students to develop an advanced understanding of adult psychopathology. Students will acquire the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to assess, diagnose and treat severe manifestations of a range of specific mental disorders. Each week the assessment, diagnosis and treatment intervention for a different mental disorder, or group of disorders, will be addressed. There will also be a focus on how the mental health system operates and the systemic issues which act as barriers to accessing services for people with lifestyle and mental health issues, along with carer and consumer perspectives.
Advanced Assessment for Clinical Psychologists (CLP602) Expand The aim of this unit is to develop competence in culturally responsive assessment in clinical psychology. It focuses on advanced knowledge and skills in clinical psychology evaluation using diagnostic taxonomies, selection and administration of assessment tools and psychometric tests, assessing risk to self and other, the limitations of currently available instruments with culturally diverse groups, interpretation and communication of clinical psychology assessment data, use of diagnostic assessment data and case formulation to inform intervention, and understanding specific ethical and professional issues related to clinical psychology assessment.
Advanced Child and Adolescent Development and Assessment (FMH407) Expand This Unit builds upon the Foundations in Child and Adolescent Development and Assessment (FMH402) Unit. It provides students with an opportunity to further explore aspects of children’s development and assessments, including developmental and mental health disorders which present across the various ages of childhood and adolescence. Issues such as attachment concerns, gender, sexuality, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and suicidality, as well as adjustments to life transitions will be considered as presentations requiring understanding within a developmental framework with appropriate assessment. These issues will be considered alongside dimensions in which families may vary, such as culture. Comorbidity will be explored, including consideration of therapeutic approaches to working with children and youth who present with more than one presenting issue. The benefits of working as part of a multidisciplinary team, including with early childhood settings and schools, will be explored along with skills required. Engagement of parents in ongoing discussions about their child’s development and changing needs will also be a key focus of this Unit.
Advanced Counselling and Complex Cases (FMH503) Expand This Unit builds upon the Counselling Skills and therapeutic approaches (FMH401) Unit. Case formulation will be utilised to understand ways to gather information and integrate it into a way of understanding the diverse, complex, interacting factors (individual, family and social) that relate to the presenting problem. This can then guide treatment planning. The Unit will consider the development of treatment plans utilising approaches which are evidence-based with a focus on common elements of therapeutic interventions. Counselling skills in a variety of circumstances, including groups, will be practised to increase confidence in working with clients who present with a range of complex needs, including developmental and attachment concerns. Challenges often faced by mental health professionals working with children and adolescents will be explored with a focus on responding in a strength-based and effective way. The use of realistic case studies will enable the complexities associated with this work to be explored in depth.
Advanced Diagnostics and Interventions for Complex Presentations (CLN701) Expand This unit will further develop student’s diagnostic, systematic case formulation and therapy skills for complex presentations. Advanced cognitive behavioural therapy and short-term psychodynamic therapy skills will be taught through lectures, case presentation and simulations. Complex presentations will include personality disorders and comorbid presentations. Students will be able to confidently diagnose, write a case formulation and conduct advanced therapy for complex presentations. Challenges associated with interventions such as conflict, trauma and termination of treatment will also be discussed. This unit includes 36 hours of combined theory, simulations and case study discussion.
Advanced Psychological Assessment & Psychopathology (MPP503) Expand Advanced Skills in Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology (MPP503) builds on the knowledge gained in MPP502, with a focus on more complex areas of psychological assessment related to psychopathology through the lifespan. The unit provides students with a knowledge of assessment tools and approaches important both in diagnosis and measuring the impact of illness on functionality and quality of life. Students will be introduced to a range of disorders with a primary focus on assessment tools and diagnostic considerations related to the specific disorders. Reference to psychopharmacology and specific interventions for disorders are made with links back to those empirically based therapies covered in MPP504. The unit also provides students with skills and experience to communicate their findings to their clients and to other health professionals. The unit explores mental disorders within a biopsychosocial framework throughout, with consideration to the individual beyond the illness and as an active partner in the therapeutic process.
Agoraphobia Expand Agoraphobia is a disabling Anxiety Disorder that most commonly occurs together with Panic Disorder, although it may be present without panic in some cases. About one third of people with panic disorder develop Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is characterized by a strong fear of not been able to escape from certain situations or places if one had a Panic Attack or other physical problems, such as diarrhoea or nausea. Individuals with Agoraphobia may become avoidant of the feared situations, and often develop “safe places" or "fixed routes” to avoid suffering severe anxiety. They may also carry safety aids, such as mobile telephones or medication bottles, if they must enter the feared situations. In the most severe cases, individuals may become housebound refusing to leave their homes for long periods, sometimes even years. Among the most common avoidances are driving, shopping centres, crowded places such as arenas, stadiums, or theatres, traveling long distances, standing in lines, being alone, meetings, and social gatherings. Approximately 2.8% of the Australian population experience Agoraphobia. Treatment Agoraphobia can be treated very successfully using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Applied Research for the Practicing Psychologist (MPP550) Expand Research is at the centre of psychology, both from an academic standpoint and from a clinician standpoint. From systematically identifying the need for a new intervention, to the methods used to align intervention development with relevant theories and models, to the formal evaluation of both the effectiveness of the intervention, and the ability for clinicians to accurately implement or conduct the intervention. This unit looks at each of these aspects of the intervention development cycle, focusing on the methodologies and statistics used at each stage, how they are reported, and importantly, how you (as a consumer of research) can interpret these findings in a meaningful way to inform your own practice. Having said this, the unit is not a quantitative study into the aetiology of a psychological disorder, nor do we focus on describing treatment options or treatment planning for specific clients in any great detail. Rather, our attention will be focused on the research around intervention development. This unit contains a major research assessment, labelled the ‘Needs Analysis’. The Needs Analysis affords you the opportunity to apply your newfound knowledge of intervention development to identify an area of need in your MPP placements, review the literature around your identified need, and propose a research- informed solution. This will require you to begin collecting evidence early around your need, which may involve observations, anecdotal reports from stakeholders, administration documentation or procedures, non- confidential statistics such as admission rates, or other detail.
Are we really in this together? Rethinking the boundary between therapy and supervision Expand Dr Zoe KrupkaPhD MCounsHumServ PACFAClinLecturer, The Cairnmillar Institute Dr Zoe Krupka (she/her) is a lecturer, feminist psychotherapist and supervisor. Zoë is currently a senior lecturer and researcher at The Cairnmillar Institute in Melbourne and writes about psychotherapy for various media outlets. Her research interests include sibling loss and the critical conceptual analysis of supervision. You can find a full collection of her media publications and appearances at zoekrupka.com and her academic publications here on Researchgate.