Master of Professional Psychology

Based on the scientist-practitioner model of advanced psychology training, this postgraduate psychology course combines practical classes and supervised practice to help you acquire and apply the following skills:

• psychological and cognitive assessment, case formulation and diagnosis of a range of common mental health and neurodevelopmental issues
• ethical decision-making to support your safe and effective practice across interprofessional settings
• culturally sensitive practice to assist your work with diverse communities
• evidence-based interventions to support the wellbeing and recovery of young people, adults, older adults, groups and families.

Over two practicum units, you will undertake at least 300 hours of supervised work placement at VU Psychology Clinic, where you will provide psychological services to members of a culturally diverse community seeking support for a range of mental health issues. You can also apply for a placement at our Orygen outpost. 

In addition, several of our units include role-playing practitioner-client interactions in different contexts to ensure you feel best prepared to support real clients at VU Psychology Clinic. Our teaching, clinic and supervision staff bring a wealth of practical experience from the private and public mental health sectors to enhance your professional development at every stage of your training.

Instead of juggling multiple units at the same time, at VU you can focus on one unit at a time over a four-week ‘block’, usually with three 3-hour workshop-style classes per week.

In each class, you will apply your knowledge and skills to contemporary, problem-based scenarios, drawn from the mental health sector.

You will develop your skills as a critical thinker, and work in partnership with your classmates and your teacher, who is an experienced psychologist and researcher.

Upon completing a Master of Professional Psychology at VU, graduates will have the competencies to complete a required year of supervised psychology practice at a professional internship of your choice, outside the university.

After completing this final internship year, you will become eligible to sit the National Psychology Exam and apply for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) through the '5+1 internship model' for registration.

The Master of Professional Psychology is currently accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a suitable program of study for the purpose of gaining registration as a psychologist.

Due to limited places and a high volume of applications, it is important applicants apply early. If places are filled in the timely round, round two and three applications will not be considered, or applications may close early.

• Round One (timely round) – Applications close Sunday 24 September 2023 (all applications submitted prior to Sunday 24 September 2023 will be considered as timely)
• Round Two – Applications close Sunday 29 October 2023 (if places available)
• Round Three – Applications close Sunday 26 November 2023 (if places available)

A reminder that applicants need to arrange two referee reports (one personal and one academic) via the Psychology Reference Portal.

Applicants also need to provide a resume/CV with their application and complete the supplementary form available as part of the application process.

Find more information about how to apply, below, on this page.