Master of Psychology (Clinical)

The clinical psychology program at the University of Melbourne began in the early 1970s. The program enjoys an excellent reputation and is one of the premier clinical psychology programs in the country. The program aims to produce students with a strong knowledge base in 'organic' and 'functional' psychopathologies, combined with a high level of skill and acumen in the detection, assessment and diagnosis and treatment of various 'psychological' conditions. Therapeutic skills are taught primarily within a broad cognitive-behavioural framework and developed over time within didactic, individual and group-based contexts. In their second year, all students see patients referred to the Psychology Clinic based at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. In addition to this, all students undergo compulsory field placements in psychiatry in their first year in the program. Field placements in second and third year are tailored to a student's interests. Access to a variety of placement opportunities within hospital and community settings is considered to be one of the strengths of the program.

The academic members of the clinical teaching staff are active in both clinical work and research. Students are expected to conduct both high quality research and submit articles based on their research for publication in peer-refereed national and international journals. The expectation is that graduates of the clinical psychology program will not only become excellent clinicians but will go on to be leaders in the professional clinical psychology community.

This stream aims to provide graduates with the skills to work as professional clinical psychologists as well as a thorough grounding in the discipline of clinical psychology, particularly in the area of mental illness.

Selection is based primarily on the student's academic performance in their fourth-year of study in psychology, with some consideration given to third year performance. The personal suitability of each student as assessed by referees' reports and interview is also taken into account.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability