Master of Applied Psychology - Clinical Stream

Master of Applied Psychology (MAppPsych) in Clinical Psychology

Course code: M1025
Availability:
Murdoch campus (internal)
Duration: 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
This professionally-accredited course adheres to a scientist-practitioner model which stresses a systematic problem-solving approach. Its objective is to prepare psychologists who are skilled in individual casework and can apply their skills and knowledge to prevention, research, development, and evaluation at the individual, organisational and system levels.

The course consists of two years of full-time study or may be undertaken on a part-time basis over not more than eight years. There are two specialisations available: Clinical and Organisational. Candidates will cover core and optional aspects in their course, which will qualify them in one of the specialisations as clinical or organisational psychologists at Master's degree level.

Candidates undertake at least three approved placements. Choice of placements will correspond to specialisation undertaken. The University cooperates with the Commonwealth and State Public Services, such as the Department of Health, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, Department for Community Development, Department of Justice, Education Department of Western Australia, Disability Services Commission, WA Police Service and other public and private services and facilities in Western Australia. Experience in other community psychological areas such as rehabilitation and social service is also available. In order to fulfill the requirements of the Clinical Psychology specialisation, candidates must include at least one placement in an adult clinical facility, one in a child clinical facility, and one in a rehabilitation facility; two of these placements must be external to the University. In order to fulfill the requirements of the Organisational Psychology specialisation, candidates must include at least three approved external placements in Organisational Psychology and at least one other appropriate placement. Candidates must satisfy the requirements of one of the specialisations.

Employment Prospects: Job prospects for psychologists are very good; employment growth is expected to be strong following recent government initiatives. On graduation from this course, students will be highly employable in a wide variety of areas, including private practice as a registered psychologist, and working in various public and private sector agencies in areas such as health, community development, justice, education, and disabilities.

Admission Requirements: Onshore course offerings: Applicants should hold, on admission, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, with Honours, in Psychology, or a Bachelor of Psychology four-year degree, or equivalents. Competition for places is strong. Students with overseas qualifications who may be accepted into the course need to ensure that, should they wish to seek registration within Australia after graduation, their undergraduate qualification meets the requirements of the relevant psychology registration board for equivalence to a four-year Australian degree in Psychology.

Special Requirements: As many agencies require all staff working with their clients or patients to have a police clearance, applicants are required to obtain a Federal police clearance (which will include WA clearance). In addition, if working with children a separate screening by the Department of Community Development is required. Clearly any agency will only be seeking information about behaviours that may place vulnerable clients at risk and will not be interested in any other type of behaviours. The applicant meets the cost of these clearances. Please note that some organisations providing professional placements require students to provide full immunisation records. Applicants must be in a position to provide these records if required.

Funding: In 2008 this programme was approved for the payment of student income support such as Youth Allowance, Austudy and Pensioner Education Supplement.

Professional Recognition: This course is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, and is recognised as such by the Australian Psychological Society and the Western Australian Psychologists’ Registration Board.

Articulation: Relevant units completed in the Graduate Certificate in Organisational Human Resources and Safety or the Postgraduate Diploma in Consultancy Psychology may be used as advanced standing toward the Master of Applied Psychology (Organisational Psychology).

Admission to Doctor of Psychology: Students who complete the first year of the Master of Applied Psychology may apply to transfer to the Doctor of Psychology and will be exempt from the units already completed which are common to both degrees.

Other Facilities and Services: Murdoch University has a Psychology Clinic, the Counselling Psychology Consulting Service and the Organisational Psychology Consulting Service to act as practical training facilities and community services.
URL: http://www.murdoch.edu.au/contacts/academic/School_of_Psychology

Course Structure (48 Points)

The program requires two years of full-time or equivalent part-time study. The typical course structure for full-time study is as follows:

YEAR 1
Required Units: 24 points

CODE	SEMESTER	UNIT TITLE	CREDIT POINTS
PSY562	Murdoch: Y-internal	Psychological Assessment Methods	3 pts
PSY569	Murdoch: Y-internal	Psychotherapy in Practice	3 pts
PSY537	Murdoch: U-internal, Y-internal	Clinical Psychology: Internal Practicum (Child, Youth and family)	3 pts
PSY538	Murdoch: U-internal, Y-internal	Clinical Psychology: Internal Practicum (Adult)	3 pts
PSY564	Murdoch: S1-internal	Clinical Psychology: Working with children & families	3 pts
PSY565	Murdoch: S1-internal	Clinical Psychology: Working with adults	3 pts
PSY502	Murdoch: S2-internal	Clinical Psychology: Working with health problems	3 pts
PSY567	Murdoch: S2-internal	Clinical Psychology: Developmental Disabilities	3 pts
PROGRAM TOTAL YEAR 1:			24 POINTS

YEAR 2
Required Units: 24 points