Master of Clinical Psychology

Applications close on Tuesday 3 October 2023 (AEDT). Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. All applicants must lodge their admissions portfolio online for assessment by the University of Newcastle.

About

The Master of Clinical Psychology is a professional qualification for those who wish to practice as a Clinical Psychologist. With expert supervision in our psychology clinic and local health care and community settings, the course will give you the skills to work in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders.

You will enhance your conceptual and interpersonal skills and apply advanced knowledge, principles and methods to relevant procedures, technologies, and techniques in the professional practice of Clinical Psychology. You will work collaboratively and effectively with a diverse range of clients and other health professionals, and be able to conduct, evaluate and present systematic research relevant to Clinical Psychology.

Our academic experts will assist you with obtaining diverse placement opportunities that will allow you to demonstrate your broad skill set and gain practical experience in a clinical setting. You will also be supervised by board-approved Clinical Psychologists during your placements. Graduates will be knowledgeable, skilled, and ethical practitioners of Clinical Psychology and capable of adhering to the 'scientist-practitioner' model of practice.

The program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), through APAC, also recognises the program for the purposes of registration and endorsement of practice in clinical psychology.

Admission criteria

Admission to the degree is competitive. To be considered for a place in the program, applicants must:

• hold a four-year – or three-year plus a fourth year – Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited sequence in psychology qualification, which has been completed with an upper-second-class Honours (2A) or above, or an overall GPA of 6.0 or above (7-point scale) in the 4th year component of a non-Honours program; or have achieved an overall GPA of 6.0 or above (7-point scale) in a completed APAC accredited Master of Professional Psychology program, or equivalent APAC accredited 5th year program of study; or be a currently registered psychologist with the PsyBA who can demonstrate current compliance with Registration Board Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements; and
• be eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; and
• provide an online application portfolio, as well as providing two referee reports via the Psychology Reference Portal (PRP); and
• satisfy the School of Psychological Sciences of their suitability for the professional practice of clinical psychology; and
• participate in and be selected via an interview process.

When evaluating suitability, the School of Psychological Sciences will consider previous relevant experience, referee reports, units of study previously completed, and the outcome of a selection interview. Selection criteria will also be based on applicants demonstrating a clear understanding of clinical psychology and the areas in which a clinical psychologist might work. Desirable criteria include research experience additional to Honours and involvement with professional organisations (e.g., Australian Psychological Society).

Additional selection criteria

As places in the Master of Clinical Psychology are limited, admission is based on a competitive selection process. Applicants are required to submit an online admissions portfolio, and two referee reports, in addition to their UAC application. These are all essential components of the application process and will be used to rank and select applicants to participate in a competitive interview process.

The 2024 admission timeline is outlined below:

• August 2023: PRP Applications Open. Applicants must arrange for the required referee reports to be completed and shared to the University of Newcastle via the Psychology Reference Portal (PRP) .
• Tuesday 3 October 2023: Applications close 11:59PM AEDT. Applicants must apply via UAC, ensure that references have been completed and shared via the PRP, and lodge their online admissions portfolio by this date. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Week commencing Monday 13 November 2023: Interview invitations are finalised and sent by the School of Psychological Sciences. Applicants who satisfy the minimum academic admission requirements (or are on track to) and who are chosen by the selection panel will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the University of Newcastle (UON) School of Psychological Sciences.
• Tuesday 21 – Wednesday 22 November 2023: Interview period. Selection interviews will be held via Zoom.
• Saturday 16 December 2023: Round 1 offers are released. Successful applicants will be provided with a formal offer of admission via UAC to commence studies in 2024. This will be communicated via e-mail. Applicants who were successful at interview but are still awaiting 2023 qualification results (e.g., completion and Honours classifications) will need to wait until these are finalised before UON can release a formal offer via UAC. This will need to occur by early February 2024 at the latest.
• Thursday 15 February 2024: Compulsory Orientation Day. Students who have received and accepted a UAC offer are required to attend a compulsory orientation session at the University of Newcastle (UON).
• Friday 16 and Monday 19 – Friday 23 February 2024: Compulsory Intensive Course for Semester 1, 2024. Commencing students attend a compulsory 6-day intensive course (PSYC6501) at the University of Newcastle (UON).

Note: Initial feedback on applications and submitted portfolios will not be given to individual applicants throughout the admissions process. It is the responsibility of each individual applicant that all components are addressed, in that UAC applications, online portfolios, and referee reports are all lodged correctly, and submitted by the final closing date.

The University of Newcastle offers both Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) and full fee paying (FEE) places in the Master of Clinical Psychology program. CSPs are limited and are offered to the highest ranked applicants following the interview process. CSPs may be awarded preferentially to our highest-ranking Indigenous applicants. For further information on how to be considered for this opportunity refer to the ‘How to apply’ section of the Master of Clinical Psychology. Applicants will be notified of their fee status at time of offer.

Contact UON if you have any queries regarding the admission requirements listed.

Fees and charges

^ Indicative fees: Students enrolled in some programs have some flexibility in choosing courses outside their discipline area. Program costs are calculated on the assumption of typical courses taken for a full-time load of 40 units per teaching period (semester or trimester). Actual charges will be calculated based on courses selected and the workload undertaken.

Australian Government financial assistance

University of Newcastle scholarships and financial assistance

Equity Scholarships through UAC

Further information

Read the full course details on the University of Newcastle website.

Visit the College of Engineering, Science and Environment website
Call 1300 ASK UON (1300 275 866) or (02) 4921 5000
Email the college via ASK UON