Master of Professional Psychology

Overview

The Master of Professional Psychology is an accredited fifth-year degree on the '5+1' pathway to general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

The Master of Professional Psychology will provide students with the skills and advanced knowledge in the core areas of professional psychological practice. Graduates will be well-prepared to complete their final year of supervised internship before applying for registration as general psychologists.

The MPP is a comprehensive combination of coursework and practical experience to build your knowledge and skills in psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions across the life span, as well as ethical, professional and cultural considerations in psychological practice.   

Key features

• Coursework units are delivered online by experts in the field. Students engage in active, interactive and discussion-based learning and are guided in completing online learning modules.
• With the Southern Cross Model's innovative and unique model, each unit is completed over six weeks, with a two-week break between terms. This shorter structure delivers a deeper, immersive learning experience for students centred on greater interactivity and connection with real-world applications. 
• Students will develop their practical skills by observing and participating in role play and other activities at the two one-week residentials at the Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus.
• Students will apply their knowledge and skills from coursework to professional psychological practice in real-world settings by completing a compulsory 300-hour placement.
• During your placement, you will be supervised by an experienced Board approved psychologist supervisor.
• Placement settings are diverse and are generally 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.

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.

Southern Cross University offers a comprehensive psychology training program, 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.