Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
This degree is only available to Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode
On-campus
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Entry requirements
Applicants must have completed a four-year psychology honours degree with at least an upper second class or equivalent overall mark, or an equivalent degree that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Selection for the Master of Psychology (Clinical) is highly competitive, and applicants will be required to supply a CV, a written statement and two confidential referee reports so that prior professional experience and acquired skills can be considered in the ranking process. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
Successful applicants will be required to obtain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia before they can enrol. Please see the Psychology Board (AHPRA) website for more information about provisional registration. Please consider the fees and eligibility requirements associated with provisional registration before applying for this program.
For full application requirements, selection and admission processes visit Apply for the Master of Psychology (Clinical).
Before applying, applicants must visit the full application details and requirements website.
Degree overview
- Gain a qualification that enables you to become a registered psychologist immediately upon graduation and begin clinical psychology registrar training.
- Enjoy excellent career prospects.
- Gain a well-respected qualification that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
- Study a degree that has been designed in consultation with practitioners, academics and students.
- Learn from researchers at a university that is ranked number one in the state for research in psychology1.
- Gain practical experience in our on-campus Psychology Clinic.
- Gain real-world experience when you complete supervised clinical placements.
1The only university in SA to have all its assessed Psychology and Cognitive Sciences research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Snapshot
This Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree is for students who want to become clinical psychologists.
Designed in consultation with practitioners, academics and students, and accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, the curriculum is relevant and up-to-date. You'll gain an advanced understanding of established empirically-supported best practice and recent developments in clinical psychology. You’ll also explore research principles and how they apply to clinical psychology.
Under the supervision of fully-qualified clinical psychologists you will get the opportunity to practice your skills in our on-campus Psychology Clinic.
What you'll need
Students studying this degree will be required to undertake Criminal History Checks through the Department of Human Services (DHS), a National Police Record Check, and complete a one-day Safe Environments for Children and Young People course prior to being accepted for work placements. Some placements may also require students to hold a current driver's licence and or additional requirements as requested by a specific placement provider.
What you'll learn
You will gain an advanced understanding of recent developments in clinical psychology. You will also explore research principles and how they apply to clinical psychology. You will develop:
- Knowledge of development, psychopathology and the biopsychosocial factors that influence mental health
- Clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis and intervention
- The ability to reflect critically on psychological theory and professional practice in clinical psychology
- Communication and technical research skills
This Master's degree has a strong practical component and, under the supervision of fully-qualified clinical psychologists, you will practice skills you have learnt in our on-campus Psychology Clinic.
You will also undertake professional clinical placements during your second year.
Study hours
The program has a heavy time commitment. In addition to scheduled classes, you will require additional hours of study in your own time to complete assignments and readings. You will balance clinical work, which requires wide reading, practice and documentation time in addition to time spent delivering services directly to clients, with coursework and the development of a research project.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- case studies
- reports
- portfolios
- research proposals
- presentations
- practicals and placement
There will also be essays, assignments and examinations.
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Be taught by world-class researchers in their field at a university that has been ranked number one in the state for research in psychology1.
This psychology Master's degree will see you graduate ready to register as a psychologist and practice independently. It will also allow you to begin a registrar program leading to endorsement in clinical psychology. The curriculum has been designed in consultation with practitioners, academics and students, and in accordance with level 3 and 4 standards of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, meaning it is relevant, current and reliable.
You'll also get the opportunity to practice your skills in our on-campus Psychology Clinic, under the supervision of fully-qualified clinical psychologists. The clinic offers psychological services to the general public and is a great training resource equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual recording devices for observing and providing feedback to students.
The University also offers a tele psychology service to clients in rural and remote areas and to those in metropolitan areas when it is not safe to provide face-to-face appointments. This service works in conjunction with the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Clinic to provide psychological solutions for sleep problems.
As Australia’s university of enterprise, we are fast becoming a renowned centre of innovation in the sectors that will drive Australia's future, including health and biomedicine. It’s a very good time to choose UniSA for your postgraduate study.
1The only university in SA to have all its assessed Psychology and Cognitive Sciences research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
This could be you
Hear from UniSA staff and former Psychology students Dr Alex Agostini and Dr Stephanie Centofanti on where a degree in Psychology can take you.
Your career
Successful psychologists have the ability to listen, observe and analyse. Exceptional interpersonal skills are a must, as is the ability to think clearly and logically, and to communicate with ease. If you have all of these traits, the job prospects in Australia in the area of psychological science is expected to grow in the coming years1.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) is a specialised degree which prepare trainees to become clinical psychologists. Graduates of this degree would be equipped for any of the following careers:
- clinical psychologist: identify, diagnose and assist in the treatment of adult and child emotional, mental and behavioural problems through the use of behavioural medicine, observation, interviews and tests
- clinical psychology researcher: researching mental health disorders and their alleviation
- academic: conducting mental health research and/or teaching in the area of clinical psychology within an educational institution
Professional accreditation and recognition
This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. On completion of the program graduates will have met the academic requirements for membership of the Australian Psychological Society and Associate Membership of the College of Clinical Psychologists within that Society. Graduates of the program are eligible for registration as psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Visit Apply for the Master of Psychology (Clinical) to view the full application process, including selection criteria, referee information and admission processes.
Once you are ready to apply, please make note of the SATAC course code at the top of this page in order to lodge your application directly via SATAC.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
As a psychology student, you will have access to:
- On-campus Psychology Clinic
- Dedicated teaching and learning spaces
Your program director
I am both the Program Director for this degree and Senior Clinic Supervisor. My research focuses on enhancing the delivery of psychological therapies in routine practice. Before academia, I worked as a clinical psychologist in adult mental health services, addiction treatment services and private practice. I believe low student-staff ratios, combined with close supervision and high-quality feedback, plays an important role in developing the skills and confidence our students need to be effective psychologists. Our teaching team has international training and extensive teaching, clinical and supervisory experience. We are very proud of our graduates who routinely receive glowing feedback from field supervisors and are in high demand from employers.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
I enjoyed the wide variety of content in the courses within my degree. I believe UniSA offers a wide variety of areas to specialise in, even within Psychology, and it gave me experiences that changed the trajectory of my career in a really positive way.
Stephanie Webb
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Lecturer
