Gain the qualification you need to become a psychologist.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) trains psychology graduates in clinical psychology to meet the requirements for registration to practise as psychologists.
This program is offered at USC Thompson Institute
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) trains psychology graduates in clinical psychology to meet the requirements for registration to practise as psychologists.
The program has three major components—coursework in professional and clinical psychology, supervised practicum placements, and a research project and thesis. Coursework delivery is via a combination of lectures, seminars, practical exercises, written assignments, and skills demonstration and practice.
Practicum placements involve you working as a provisional psychologist, under appropriate supervision, in a range of settings beginning in the University’s Psychology Clinic. Your work is assessed through written reports, case presentations, professional portfolios and observation by supervisors and the course coordinator.
The research project involves a review of relevant literature leading to a research question, design and conduct of an appropriate study, data collection and analysis, and preparation of a thesis consisting of the literature review and a report of the research study. The thesis is assessed by independent examination. Visit Study Psychology for more information.
USC’s postgraduate psychology programs are taught at the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience – Thompson Institute. A hub for mental health research, teaching and clinical services, this world-class facility is located at Birtinya, minutes from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. The Institute’s focus is to address mental health issues in the community, particularly those affecting our youth, adolescents and older community members.
Accreditation
Accredited by The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by The Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists as a fifth and sixth year program in Psychology, graduates of the Master of Psychology (Clinical) are eligible to apply to the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) for general registration.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for Associate Membership of the Australian Psychological Society’s College of Clinical Psychologists.
Admission requirements
The entry requirements for admission to the Master of Psychology (Clinical) are:
- Successful completion of an APAC accredited four-year degree or fourth year in Psychology in the last 10 years.
- An upper second class Honours (2A) OR psychologists with demonstrated equivalent experience and compliance with PsyBA CPD requirements.
- Applicants must have general registration or be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Offer of a quota place.
The selection process involves an interview with clinical members of the discipline of Psychology.
Refer also to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
Program structure
Required courses (16)
PSY700 The uses and abuses of history
PSY701 Explorations in Environmental History
PSY702 Nationalism and Identity in the 20th Century: Themes and Tensions
PSY703 Making History in the Digital Age
PSY704 About Japan: Current Perspectives
PSY705 International Community Development and Global Justice
PSY706 Introduction to Environmental Justice, Peace and Conflict: Contemporary Issues
PSY707 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
PSY750 Understanding Cultural Diversity
PSY751 Global Citizens: A History of Humanity
PSY752 Landscapes, Place and People
PSY753 Introducing Human Geographies
PSY754 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
PSY755 Historical Geographies
PSY756 The uses and abuses of history
PSY757 Explorations in Environmental History
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Heath Institute
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- This program consists of the three major required components, as follows:
- 50 percent coursework (8 courses)
- 25 percent research project and thesis (4 courses), and
- 25 percent Practicum placements (4 courses)
- Students will undertake a minimum of 1,000 hours of practicum placement in total across the 4 practicum placement courses
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student visa