Master of Professional Psychology

Course Details

The Master of Professional Psychology (MProfPsych) is a fifth-year program in psychology, open to graduates of an APAC accredited fourth-year psychology program.The MProfPsych program is designed to provide graduates in psychology with an additional year of full-time education in the professional practice of psychology. This year prepares graduates for a final year of supervised practice prior to general registration as a Psychologist.The MProfPsych program provides students with an opportunity to learn and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the 8 core capabilities and attributes as required to practise psychology. This program includes a simulated practicum unit as well as an external placement which enables students to translate their theoretical knowledge to professional and simulated environments to enhance their skill development.This program offers students the 5 + 1 model to register as a Provisional Psychologist through this supervised practice pathway.

Qualification: Master Degree (By Coursework)

Course structure: 80 credit points. As part of the Master of Professional Psychology, students must complete 300 hours of professional experience. Students enrolled in a practicum unit must be supervised by a psychologist with approved status as a supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia.In first semester students will undertake a unit on practicum skills which incorporates simulated learning in the Melbourne Psychology Clinic. In second semester, students then complete one external 300-hour placement which is sourced for them by the Placement Coordinator. Students are placed in one of many partner organisations, which have included schools, prisons, hospitals, not-for-profits, community-based organisations, and private practices (including those that cater for general presenting issues, to more specialised clinics, e.g., focused on autism, organisational psychology, trauma, schema therapy, and perinatal mental health).For the 6th year internships, whilst students source their own internship, ACU supports them by providing information and opportunities for networking. In second semester, ACU runs an information session where students are given an overview of the 6th year internship requirements. The session includes:an overview of the work, supervision, PD, and assessment requirements;guidance on how to find and apply for an internship role; andpresentations and QandA with past ACU MPP students who are part-way through their internships, and/or who are registered, as well as internship supervisors out in the community.

This program allows students to become registered as Probationary Psychologists, and prepares graduates for general registration as a Psychologist once they have completed one year of supervised practice. International students on a student visa should be aware that the duration of the student visa will not extend to the one year of supervised practice required for registration. International students intending to complete the supervised practice will need to ensure that they attain an appropriate visa. All students, domestic and international, intending to complete the supervised practice will be fully responsible for finding the supervised employment which will allow them to complete registration requirements.