Master of Professional Psychology (M7Q)

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1
Launceston
Semester 1

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

The Master of Professional Psychology is the fifth year of a 5+1 internship program comprising coursework, research training and practical placements. The course provides preparation for progression to a one-year Psychology Board of Australia approved internship program through the development of professional skills, in tandem with theoretical and empirical knowledge, in line with the scientist-practitioner model. Research training, including the ability to critically assess and apply research findings to inform evidence-based professional practice, is also provided.

On successful completion of the Master of Professional Psychology, graduates will be eligible to undertake a sixth year (the +1 year) of practical training. The one-year supervised practice internship, which leads to general registration as a psychologist, is available through two options: Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology Practice or can be arranged and developed independently, with approval by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Please note: The closing time and date for the receipt of applications for admission to the Master of Professional Psychology in 2023 is 11.59pm on 30 September 2023 (AEDT). Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.

  • 1 Integrate methods, principles and ethics in psychology to inform professional practice at an individual, discipline and interdisciplinary level.
  • 2 Formulate culturally sensitive psychological assessment, diagnoses and evidence-based treatment for common psychological presentations across the life span.
  • 3 Evaluate research and integrate this with National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce to inform evidence-based professional practice.
  • Professional Experience Placement

    Your studies will include compulsory Professional Experience Placements.

    Safety in Practice Compliance

    This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.

    Career outcomes

    Graduates who subsequently successfully complete a one-year Psychology Board of Australia approved internship program will be eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia.

    The Master of Professional Psychology is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). 

    Graduates may meet the requirements for commencement of their supervised internship year as a provisional psychologist, after which they may meet requirements for general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) as a Psychologist. There may be additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of the course. For further registration requirements, please visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.

    If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information. 

    Course structure

    Students must satisfactorily complete 100 credit points of study from the schedule.

    This unit introduces students to the key diagnostic frameworks and assessment methods for common mental health presentations. Students are also introduced to cognitive assessment and oriented to risk assessment and safety planning. Consideration is also given to cultural and developmental…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit considers common professional and ethical issues in psychological practice. Students are introduced to key ethical codes, guidelines, standards and legislation relevant to psychology practice. Ethical decision-making models will be applied to real-world case examples to assist students in…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will introduce students to cognitive behavioural therapy and the basic therapeutic techniques necessary to undertake their first placement. The therapeutic techniques will include cognitive interventions, behavioural interventions, emotional and physical focused techniques. Where appropriate, sessions will be supplemented…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will introduce students the foundational psychological assessment, case formulation, intervention skills, and professional practice requirements of psychologists with general registration, via simulated work environments. The unit will incorporate a range of learning experiences including role plays, individual and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit expands on student’s prior learning of assessment and differential diagnosis with a key focus on the principles of selecting of evidence-based assessment tools. This unit will support students to provide client centred assessment feedback with regard to relevant…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces students to the practice of self-reflection. This will involve application of psychological intervention skills to the self and others. Content will address key theoretical models and evidence-based treatments for specific adult psychological presentations/disorders, and classroom discussion and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit is designed to provide students with a grounding in research relevant to psychological practice contexts. Specifically, this unit will provide students with the skills to read, interpret and evaluate relevant literature, and then implement that information into their…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This placement will involve engaging in professional psychology practice. This placement will promote a scientist-practitioner model of the professional psychologist with opportunities to develop competencies and increased independence in psychological assessment and intervention with common psychological presentations across the lifespan.…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Entry requirements

    Please note: The closing time and date for the receipt of applications for admission to the Master of Professional Psychology in 2024 is 11.59pm on 30 September 2023 (AEDT). Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.

    Further information regarding the application and selection process can be found in the 2024 Postgraduate Psychology FAQs.

    The minimum academic requirement for entry to the course is successful completion of a four year APAC-Accredited sequence in psychology (AQF Level 8) within the last 10 years, together with eligibility for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a provisional psychologist.

    To be eligible for entry to the course applicants must have attained either a 2B Honours degree or a Distinction minimum average across their psychology subjects in years 3 and 4 of their APAC accredited undergraduate training.

    Those applicants who have not completed a four year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology must have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and provide the assessment report from the Australian Psychological Society with their application. For information on how to do this and the fees associated with this service refer to the APS. The assessment report must state that the applicant's qualifications are comparable to a four year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology.

    All applicants must satisfy the School of Psychological Sciences that they are suitable candidates for professional training in psychology. Selection will be based on referee reports, academic merit, relevant experience, and a structured interview by a selection panel. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview in November.

    Professional Experience Placement Requirements

    SAFETY IN PRACTICE COMPLIANCE

    All students enrolling in College of Health and Medicine programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation.

    The College, in accordance with Safety in Practice Compliance and Risk Assessment Procedure (PDF 659.0KB), assesses student compliance with Safety in Practice Requirements, which include:

    • national criminal history;
    • working with children registration;
    • medical, physical and psychological capacity to safely undertake the College of Health and Medicine Mandatory Functional Requirements; and
    • infectious disease and immunisation status.

    National criminal history and medical, physical and psychological disclosures can inhibit student eligibility to participate in courses. Students must submit the Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation to enable risk assessment to be completed before:

    • semester one census date annually; or
    • in case of late enrolment, prior to beginning study.

    The exceptions are the Working with Children Registration and Immunisation Record Card check, which must be completed 4 weeks prior to first PEP.

    This course is not available to international students. Please see our international page for courses that are offered to international students.

    Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.

     

    Graduates from this course may choose to apply for entry into the following courses: Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology Practice; Master of Clinical Psychology (Advanced Entry)

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic postgraduate student, you might be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    An important note on Youth Allowance and Austudy

    The Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented Master courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit our Scholarships, Fees and Costs website for further information.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses

    Scholarships

    For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps