Back to Find Courses page

Master of Professional Psychology

Masters by Coursework

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    MProfPsych

  • Course code

    1209250

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

The Master of Professional Psychology provides an additional year of academic study for graduates of Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours degree programs. These five years of study – the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours and the new Masters of Professional Psychology combined – represent the academic pre-requisites for a further one-year internship and eligibility to sit the Psychology Board national exam to register as a Psychologist in Australia.

The Master of Professional Psychology develops skills and advanced knowledge in the core areas of professional psychological practice and includes two compulsory one-week face-to-face residentials at Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus and 300 hours of professional placement. Students are allocated to their placement by Southern Cross University and most placements are located between the Gold Coast and Port Macquarie (including inland surrounding areas) and within the footprint of our campuses located at Coffs Harbour, Lismore and the Gold Coast. Please note requirements, including vaccination, for placement as part of the course requirements below. Graduates of the Master of Professional Psychology will be well-prepared to complete their final year of supervised internship prior to applying for registration as a general psychologist.  

Southern Cross University offers a comprehensive program of psychology training, taught by experts in the field with established professional networks. Students have access to 5-star learning resources (Good Universities Guide 2021) and become part of a dynamic research and learning community.

In order to submit referee reports as required as part of the application process for this course, it will be necessary for you to register with the Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request System and complete the process with them.

Psychologists for Community Scholarship

Southern Cross University’s Psychologists for Community Scholarship supports students from diverse backgrounds who wish to become registered psychologists by assisting with course fees. Students from rural, remote and regional areas, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, single parents or carers, and those impacted by financial disadvantage are invited to apply. Find out more about this scholarship and how to apply.

Please note:

From 2023 the Master of Professional Psychology has been approved by the Department of Social Services for Student Assistance to eligible students for the following payments: Youth Allowance (student), Austudy and the Pensioner Education Supplement.    

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to psychological practice across the lifespan, with a range of socially and culturally diverse people

GA2: Creativity

Synthesise, analyse and interpret complex information, from multiple sources to determine the most appropriate psychological intervention, including the management of risk

GA3: Ethical practice

Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking into account the impact of personal values and beliefs, with appropriate actions

Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal requirements and effective work practises whilst operating within the scope of professional practice

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply a range of skills and theoretical knowledge to select, administer and interpret a comprehensive range of psychological assessments

GA5: Lifelong learning

Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature and utilise advanced research and academic skills to inform professional practice

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate professional communication skills that are culturally responsive and adaptable across all psychological practice

GA7: Cultural competence

Monitor, evaluate, and reflect on the effectiveness of professional practice at the level of the consumer, within their support networks and the broader community, implementing changes as needed

This course includes 300 hours of professional placement providing students with the opportunity to develop skills in supervised clinical settings. Please note there are pre-requisites for professional placement. Visit Faculty of Health Professional Experience for details.

In addition to the professional placement, this course covers culture, communication and professional practice, research methods for psychology practitioners, as well as psychological assessment, psychopathology and psychological interventions for children, adolescents and adults.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Term 1 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

This degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Professional Psychology, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising all core units.

Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

PSYC5002 Culture, Communication and Professional Practice
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
PSYC5003 Research Methods for Psychology Practitioners
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
PSYC6001 Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Adults
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
PSYC6002 Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Children and Adolescents
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
PSYC6005 Professional Psychology Practicum I
Tri Term2
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Tri Term2
N/A
Enrolment information This unit includes a one-week compulsory residential at the Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus in the week commencing 19 June 2023. Students who cannot attend the residential should not enrol in this unit. This unit contains professional experience learning that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.
PSYC6003 Psychological Interventions: Adults
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
PSYC6004 Psychological Interventions: Children and Adolescents
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
PSYC6006 Professional Psychology Practicum II
Dual Term4
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term4
N/A
Enrolment information This unit contains professional experience learning that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements.

Note 1:

Full-time students have until the end of Term 5 to complete all hours.

Note 2:

Full-time students have until the end of Term 5 to complete all hours.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
PSYC5002 Culture, Communication and Professional Practice
PSYC5003 Research Methods for Psychology Practitioners
PSYC6002 Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Children and Adolescents
PSYC6001 Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Adults
PSYC6004 Psychological Interventions: Children and Adolescents
PSYC6003 Psychological Interventions: Adults
PSYC6005 Professional Psychology Practicum I
PSYC6006 Professional Psychology Practicum II