Master of Psychology (Clinical)


Help your community function and flourish

Our Master of Psychology (Clinical) provides the knowledge and skills needed to practise as a registered psychologist.

Clinical psychologists work with clients with high and low prevalence mental health issues - from anxiety and depression to psychosis. They have specialist skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of major mental illnesses and psychological problems.

What will you do?

  • Benefit from our strong links with a professional community of clinical practitioners.
  • Build knowledge and skills in the assessment of psychological disorders
  • Learn about a broad range of evidence based treatment approaches
  • Undertake three clinical placements totalling over 1000 hours.
  • Enjoy small class sizes and face-to-face teaching.
  • Network with future employers in mental health and health care settings.
  • Complete a significant research project in clinical psychology.

Where could it take you?

Upon successful completion, you’ll be eligible to apply for full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Our graduates work with individuals and families in a range of settings including private practices, hospitals, mental health organisations, schools, and non-profit agencies. They may also be involved in research, teaching and supervision.
To gain clinical endorsement, and use the title "Clinical Psychologist", further postgraduate supervision is required.

Note: Entry to this degree is competitive and strict quotas apply.

Master of Psychology students have the option to complete the Masters and a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) concurrently, and receive two parchments at completion of both degrees. The Master of Psychology can be in Clinical, Health or Organisation and Human Factors. See the related degrees section for more information.

Note: 
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  If you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.

  • Ranked top-125 globally for Psychology*
  • 23% industry growth predicted by 2025^
  • Over 1000 hours of industry placements

^Imip.gov.au Occupation projection
*Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject, 2024.  

Thinking of studying soon?

  • 2025

    Ready to start your studies in 2025? You can apply to the University of Adelaide or University of South Australia now before continuing on to the new Adelaide University in 2026. When the time comes to transfer, we'll be here at every step, ensuring you're well supported with personalised advice and a detailed study plan.

  • 2026

    Planning to start your studies in 2026? You can apply to
    Adelaide University directly. Applications are currently open for international students and will open for Australian students in August 2025.

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM086
Deferment No
Intake

January
Additional Entry Requirements

Applicants (including those with a PhD) MUST: * have an Honours/4th year grade of 2A or above/equivalent GPA, * provide a copy of their Honours/4th year result in the form of an official transcript, or final results able to be officially verified by the University of Adelaide by the relevant date for the round in which they are applying, * provide Casper Situational Judgement Test results by the relevant date for the round in which they are applying, * attend an interview (if invited). In addition to the SATAC application, all applicants MUST be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a provisional psychologist. If you are unable to obtain provisional registration, then you will be unable to continue in the program. All applicants must also review the inherent requirement statements at health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/inherent-requirements/psychology and consider whether they are able to meet these requirements. For detailed information please refer to the Master of Psychology Admission Guide.
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study

Entry is available to graduates with a four-year qualification in Psychology or equivalent (including Honours with a minimum grade of Second Class, Division A). The degree must meet the standards set out by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), including the accredited sequence in Psychology having been completed within the last 10 years. The ONLY exception to this is where applicants have completed their four-year sequence in Psychology more than 10 years ago but have completed a PhD in Psychology within the past 10 years. The selection process occurs over two rounds, September and December. Invitations to attend an interview will be extended based on a combination of academic performance and performance on the Casper Situational Judgment Test. All applicants must submit their Honours/4th year results in the form of an official transcript that states completion of the degree, or final results into their applications via SATAC, which can be official verified by the relevant application date for the round in which they are applying. For the September round, that is close of business 23 August 2024, and for the December round that is close of business 8 November 2024. If you have not uploaded your finalised grades and the University has not received your Casper Situational Judgement Test result by this date, your application will not be considered further and you will not be eligible for an invitation to attend an interview. Ranking for offers after interviews is based on a combination of scores from these three components: * Honours/4th year grade (10%) * Casper Situational Judgement Test (40%) * Interview performance (50%) For detailed information please refer to the Master of Psychology Admission Guide.

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $4,625

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

The Master of Psychology (Clinical) prepares graduates for registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). With additional supervised work experience as prescribed by the PBA, graduates can become clinical psychologists. Clinical psychologists have specialist skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of major mental illnesses and psychological problems.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Three unpaid practicum placements are arranged by and included in the program.

Professional Accreditation

The Master of Psychology (Clinical) is accredited by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Professional recognition

This degree provides graduates with the tertiary-level education required to be eligible for general registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Graduates may also choose to undertake a supervised registrar program, where upon successful completion they can gain endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychologist.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Community Services Officer;  Psychologist;  Mental Health Worker;  Clinical Psychologist

Degree Structure

This program commences in January of the first year of study. Students enrolled in full-time study will complete seven courses of study and one placement during the first year and two further placements and the research project during the second year. The research thesis is in the form of a literature review and a research article of a specified length.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year1 Summer Semester PSYCHOL 7130 Evidence-based Practice PSYCHOL 7131 Interviewing and Intervention
S1 PSYCHOL 7132 Psychological Assessment PSYCHOL 7133 Psychopathology and Clinical Practice  PSYCHOL 7135 Clinical Neuropsychology & Disability
S2 PSYCHOL 7134 Health Psychology PSYCHOL 7136 Advanced Child & Adult Intervention PSYCHOL 7141 Placement I
Year2 S1 PSYCHOL 7140 Placement II PSYCHOL 7144 Research Project in Clinical Psychology I
S2 PSYCHOL 7143 Placement III PSYCHOL 7145 Research Project in Clinical Psychology II

Assessment

Coursework assessed by assignments and exams, placements assessed from reports by placement supervisor, and research report examined by two markers.

Related Degrees

Concurrent Degrees
The concurrent Master of Psychology (Clinical/Health/Organisational and Human Factors) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is structured as follows:
  1. Students apply for and enter the Master degree in accordance with the usual Master pathway.
  2. Students complete the first year of Master coursework and their first placement in accordance with the typical Master degree structure
  3. Students submit their application for the PhD program during the first year of the Master program
  4. Students commence their PhD candidature and scholarship (where applicable) in the second year of the Master program
  5. Students complete remaining 2 placements while completing their PhD thesis, with the final (3rd) placement to be completed after the PhD thesis has been submitted
  6. Students receive credit for the Master thesis component of their Master degree, based upon progress toward their PhD thesis. Therefore, under the concurrent model students would complete 33 of the usual 48 units in the Master.
This structure allows for the possibility that students can exit with a Master without completing their PhD (but presumes sufficient work completed in the PhD as credit towards the research thesis component); and allows for a student to withdraw from the Master and complete their PhD.

Completing the concurrent degrees requires 5 years of study.

Students are required to pay for the coursework and placement components of their Master degree as commonwealth-supported places, consistent with the requirements of any Master student.

The concurrent program is open to International students (as full fee paying)

If you are interested in the concurrent degrees option, we strongly encouraged you to seek further information from the Future Students team for the Master’s Program at start@adelaide.edu.au and the Adelaide Graduate and Research School at graduate.research@adelaide.edu.au for questions related to concurrent PhD studies.

Testimonial

The degree offers a range of placements, so you can explore a number of areas - including ones that you may not have realised you have an interest in previously.
Elly Gannon

Elly Gannon

Master of Psychology (Clinical)

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Monday, 3 Mar 2025