Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: July
Fees
$16,323.00+
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2024, which are indicative only of the upcoming year's.
Duration
1 year full-time
Entry Requirements
Provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia. AQF level 8 bachelor honours degree accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council with GPA of 5.0 or above; or AQF level 8 graduate diploma accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council with GPA of 5.0 or above.
Course Code
121504
Course detail
Master the key theories of psychological practice and their application to a broad range of clients. In the Master of Professional Psychology you will integrate and apply a complex body of knowledge to real-world contexts.
Begin to establish the competencies necessary for quality, professional psychology practice. You will apply and critically reflect upon the responsibilities and ethical expectations of the discipline. Working individually and collaboratively within the inter-professional health care team will foster quality practice.
Develop an understanding of formulation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for a diverse client base. Accurately identify, formulate, and appropriately respond to symptoms of psychopathology utilizing diagnostic taxonomies, psychometric assessment tools and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
Discover how you can contribute to improving the link between research and practice. Investigate a substantive area of research relevant to your area of practice. Apply advanced knowledge of research principles, methods, and ethics and develop strong written, oral and visual communication techniques designed to engage your colleagues, clients and the wider community where applicable.
Participate in authentic learning activities with a clear focus on professional and ethical practice. Examine the challenges that come with a diverse range of clients and communities, addressing current and emerging global challenges.
Students graduate from the Master of Professional Psychology with the capabilities to analyse, adapt and apply knowledge, skills, and technical competencies in the practice of psychology to facilitate quality client outcomes. You will become skilled at engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the diverse populations of tropical and rural and remote areas, leaving you equipped to practice in a variety of settings and contexts.
This course provides students with extended knowledge and skills in psychology and eligibility to complete a one-year internship. After completing the internship, graduates are eligible for registration as a psychologist with the .
Those with a Master of Professional Psychology go on to work as registered general psychologists in a range of contexts. You may find yourself working in hospitals, private practice, education and more. JCU’s focus on the provision of healthcare within the Tropics means you will develop the skills to practice within regional and remote communities, as well as metropolitan areas.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2024 |
Course code | 121504 |
Course type | Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9) |
Professional accreditation status | This course is accredited with conditions by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). |
College | Healthcare Sciences |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Pre-requisites | Students must hold provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia. Completion of an AQF level 8 bachelor honours with a program GPA equal or equivalent to 5.0 or above from a psychology course accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC); or Completion of an AQF level 8 graduate diploma with a program GPA equal or equivalent to 5.0 or above from a psychology course accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3c – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Additional selection | Interview (by invitation) Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria. |
Post admission | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Further information about placements can be found at Professional Experience Placement Requirements Procedure Suitability to Work with Children Card (Blue Card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course For more information, refer to: This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: |
Closing date | Domestic applicants: 14 February International applicants: 14 February |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 24 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of Master of Professional Psychology, graduates will be able to:
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Inherent Requirements
Inherent requirements | Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Inherent Requirements |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Teaching period 2
:03 The Professional Practitioner
:03 Psychological Interventions
:03 The Diagnostic Process
:03 Psychological Assessment for Professional Practice
Teaching period 1
:03 Research Skills for Practitioners
:09 Professional Psychology Placement
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Townsville | Course commences mid-year |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 1 year full-time |
Maximum time to complete | 2 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 year Please refer to the Coursework Enrolment Procedure |
Progression
Course progression | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Further information about placements can be found at Professional Experience Placement Requirements Procedure |
Course includes mandatory fieldwork | No |
Special assessment | Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy |
Professional accreditation | Nil |
Supplementary exam for | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | 6 credit points except where a student transfers from one JCU award to another, then credit may be granted for more than two-thirds of the new award, where there is subject equivalence between the awards |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for subjects completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 12 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.- |
Other restrictions | Not applicable |
Award Details
Award title | MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY |
Approved abbreviation | MProfPsych |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD16,323.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
Applicants are required to submit two referee reports via the . One of these must be an academic reference.
Applicants must also complete and upload the following forms and documentary evidence with their application:
- Current or equivalent (if registered)
- Degree Transcript and Testamur
- Curriculum Vitae
Short-listing of applicants will be undertaken in March with interview offers sent in late March.
Interviews will occur in mid-April. All short-listed applicants must attend a face-to-face interview if in the Queensland catchment area. A Zoom/virtual interview may be considered if a short-listed applicant is outside of the catchment area.
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Real stories
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Lecturer
Dr Meegan Kilcullen
Senior Lecturer, Master of Psychology (Clinical)
We train clinicians to think critically, to be creative and flexible, and to be adaptive to any clinical environment, particularly in the tropics. We are dedicated to supporting students to become clinical psychologists who are self-reflexive and culturally responsive in their practice.
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Employer
Ann Nicholls
Manager Offender Development, Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Custodial Operations
It is great having JCU graduates on staff. The JCU school of Psychology clearly has experienced and knowledgeable lecturers, tutors and staff. The graduates bring a solid knowledge base, enthusiasm and energy to grow and build on their study, plus a genuine care to support the team around them.