#2 Victorian university for psychology
Four clinical placements across the degree
Higher research degree
Why choose Deakin
Develop advanced expertise in clinical psychology research and practice with the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical). Grounded in a science-practitioner model, the program combines advanced clinical training, independent research and extensive placement experience to prepare you for safe and effective professional practice and future endorsement pathways in clinical psychology.
You will build advanced capabilities in psychological assessment, intervention and evidence-based practice while undertaking clinically applied research that contributes to the field of clinical psychology. Clinical placements across public mental health and community settings provide opportunities to work with children, adolescents, adults and families while strengthening your skills in assessment, case formulation and intervention.
Through reflective practice, supervision and practical learning experiences, you will develop the professional, research and leadership capabilities needed for careers across clinical practice, research, academia, policy and service evaluation. Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the program supports your pathway towards general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology.
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Develop advanced clinical psychology expertise
Build capabilities in psychological assessment, intervention and evidence-based practice through advanced doctoral-level training.
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Gain extensive clinical placement experience
Complete four placements across public mental health and community settings, working with children, adolescents, adults and families.
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Train as a clinician-researcher
Undertake clinically applied research while developing professional, research and leadership capabilities grounded in the science-practitioner model.
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Develop culturally responsive practice
Build skills in ethical, culturally informed care through Indigenous psychology learning, simulated complex clients and reflective practice.
Connected to industry
Engaging with industry during your PhD or masters by research ensures your research is relevant, future‑focused and positioned to create impact. Develop the skills your future employers need with industry-embedded projects, co‑supervision arrangements, access to partner facilities and opportunities to translate research into practice.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 11 October 2026
FAQs
Deakin is ranked #1 in Victoria for student support, with resources designed to take you from orientation through to thesis submission. You'll have a personalised online candidature profile to track milestones and manage your progress, backed by dedicated supervision. The Researcher Development Academy runs workshops covering research practice, writing, milestones and research communication. You can also build experience beyond your thesis through study trips, research fieldwork, fellowships, industry mentorship and programs like the National Industry PhD Program. Deakin's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) and Reel Research program gives you the chance to develop your research communication skills throughout your degree.
As a Deakin graduate researcher, you'll have access to world-class facilities across our campuses. Deakin is ranked #1 among Victorian universities for facilities, with advanced labs, specialised equipment and collaborative spaces available to researchers. Highlights include the Genesis Simulator, the only university-based system of its kind worldwide, Australia's first high-G CYCLONE Centrifuge, the AquaFI Lab and the Deakin Volume Screen. Our research precincts, including the Geelong Future Economy Precinct with its Hydrogen Hub and ManuFutures facility and the ITSH Precinct, put you alongside industry partners and cutting-edge infrastructure.
Applying for a research degree at Deakin involves a few key steps. First, review the entry requirements section on the course page. Next, find a supervisor in your field and review key dates and scholarship deadlines. You'll then need to prepare your supporting documents, including a research proposal. When you're ready, create a ResearchPoint profile and apply online through the Deakin Application Portal.
Finding the right supervisor is one of the most important steps in starting a research degree. Deakin's Find a Research Supervisor tool lets you search by research area, faculty or keyword to identify academics whose expertise aligns with your proposed project. Browse their profiles to learn about current projects and research interests, then reach out to introduce yourself and discuss your ideas. You'll need to confirm a supervisor's availability and willingness to support you before submitting your application.
If you're an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent visa holder, you won't pay tuition fees for a research degree at Deakin. Domestic candidates are automatically covered by the RTP Fee Offset scholarship, which covers your tuition in full. You may also be eligible for an RTP or DUPR scholarship, which can include a tax-exempt stipend, relocation allowances and other support.
A research proposal is a required part of your application for a research degree at Deakin. It helps us assess whether we have the supervisory expertise to support your project. Your proposal should cover your research direction, aims and objectives, your approach and scope, and how your work will contribute to knowledge in the field. The expected length varies from 300 to 2,000 words depending on the faculty. Find out how to prepare a compelling research proposal.
Yes, part-time study is available for many research degrees at Deakin, making it possible to balance your candidacy with work or other commitments. For example, a masters by research that takes two years full-time can be completed part-time over four years. Check the duration details on the course page to confirm.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)?
Develop advanced expertise across theory, research and clinical practice. Through doctoral-level coursework, extensive placement experience and independent research, you will build clinical, research and leadership capabilities that support advanced professional practice and lead to future endorsement pathways in clinical psychology.
Build foundations in advanced clinical psychology
Develop advanced clinical knowledge
Learn and apply models of psychopathology, and ethical, legal and professional psychology practice principles. Build knowledge in clinical assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based practice.
Build assessment and intervention skills
Strengthen capabilities in psychological assessment and therapeutic intervention through applied learning, such as simulated role plays and observations.
Commence clinically applied research training
Begin your independent research thesis while developing advanced research methods and evidence-based practice capabilities.
Apply clinical and research skills
Develop advanced clinical skills
Strengthen psychological intervention and assessment skills across complex presentations and specialised settings, such as health psychology.
Undertake supervised clinical placements
Apply your skills in placement experiences across public mental health and community settings.
Progress your independent research thesis
Continue clinically applied research that contributes to evidence-based clinical psychology practice and knowledge.
Apply advanced clinical and research skills
Complete advanced clinical placements
Build confidence working with children, adolescents, adults and families across diverse clinical settings and presentations.
Advance your intervention skills
Build skills in working with families, learning from experienced clinical academics in an applied learning environment.
Advance your independent research thesis
Undertake advanced stages of clinically applied research, demonstrating increasing independence in research that is relevant to clinical psychology practice.
Consolidate professional practice and research dissemination
Complete your doctoral research thesis
Finalise and communicate independent research that contributes original knowledge to the field of clinical psychology.
Finalise course requirements
Finalise all clinical and coursework requirements in readiness for registration as a psychologist.
Prepare for a career in clinical psychology
Consider how you will utilise your advanced clinical and research skills in the workforce.
Course structure
To complete the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), you must pass 24 credit points. It is comprised of 3 inter-related strands of theory, research, and practice. ;
The coursework units are in the first and second trimesters, with placement and thesis components undertaken throughout the entire year (Trimesters 1, 2 and 3). In the later part of the third year and into the fourth year, students will focus on completion of their thesis. Some students will be ready to submit their thesis earlier than the maximum completion time. Students should note that delays in either completion of the research thesis or delays in accessing or completing placements may mean that the duration of the course may be extended.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Note: Consistent with a developmental approach, there is a prescribed sequence for coursework and placement units such that successful completion of earlier units is required to enrol in later units. Specific information regarding pre-requisites are described in the individual Unit Guides.
Professional recognition
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). It is a postgraduate program of study for the purpose of obtaining full registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and to provide preparation for entry into a registrar program leading to an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology with the PsyBA
What to expect while studying
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is a research degree and requires students to complete a thesis equivalent in conceptual complexity to the traditional research PhD, but of somewhat lesser size and scope. The thesis consists of two components:
1) a Major Investigative Project, involving a report on an empirical study or series of studies on a topic of relevance to clinical psychology and that can be undertaken by publication or in traditional form;
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2) Four Research Case Reports that use single-subject case study methodology and include a critical appraisal of relevant literature.
Each student will work with a supervisory team to complete their thesis.
Your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Under the regulations of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, Master of Psychology students are required to be provisionally registered from the commencement of enrolment and for the duration of enrolment in their degree. This is a mandatory requirement. Students should apply online for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as soon as they have been accepted into the degree.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program is a full-time course and as such, it requires a full-time commitment from students.
Nevertheless, it is recognised that many students will need to work to support themselves for the duration of their study. Students are advised that working over and above 8 hours per week is likely to impact their progress through the course.
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program is a multi-campus program across Deakin Burwood, Deakin Waterfront and Waurn Ponds. The face-to-face coursework component is predominantly held at the Burwood Campus in a purpose built clinical teaching facility. Some teaching will be held in Geelong including some full-day clinical teaching workshops while other aspects of the teaching and learning occurs online. As part of their placement program, trainees will engage in placements in key partnerships across Barwon Health and metropolitan Melbourne as well as rural and regional placement opportunities.
Students are required to complete 4 compulsory clinical placements of 2-3 days per week for approximately 20-25 weeks. These placements include at least one placement in the Barwon region. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Placement program
The clinical placements are designed to equip students with a range of professional skills and an awareness of professional issues. Students will benefit from Deakin’s key placement partnerships including Barwon Health other organisations to ensure they gain experience across child, adolescent and adult populations. The placement program will be determined jointly by the student, the placement coordinators, and the course leadership team. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.
The placement program overall provides students with diverse clinical experience across community and institutional care; and medical and non-medical agencies. The placement program will be determined jointly by the student, the placement coordinators, and the course leadership team. Contracts will be drawn up which will clearly specify the skills to be taught and the responsibilities of the student and placement supervisor. With few exceptions, Placement supervisors are registered psychologists with a clinical endorsement as a specialised area of practice, as well as being Registered supervisors. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Apply advanced psychological knowledge of aetiology, progression and recovery from psychopathology, and relevant taxonomies to culturally safe assessment and identification of psychological disorders, current functioning, and risk to self and others. Display advanced knowledge of psychological theories and scientific methods, including through appropriate application of culturally responsive and evidence-based clinical psychology assessment and treatment across the lifespan. |
| Communicate safely and effectively with clients, carers, and colleagues, including discussing risks and benefits of assessment and intervention, in a variety of settings in which clinical psychologists work, including health and medical settings. |
| Ethically use a range of digital technologies including research databases, eHealth, and artificial intelligence applications to support evidence-based clinical psychology practice, research, innovation and evaluation. |
| Critically evaluate, interpret and synthesise research findings with assessment data to inform formulation, diagnoses and treatment approaches for clients and apply these appropriately for the context; synthesise, apply, and analyse existing and new knowledge to develop new concepts or interpretations through engagement in ethical research. |
| Demonstrate and apply an understanding of outcome-based and evidence-based treatment and assessment approaches relevant to the practise of clinical psychology, including through collaborative goal setting and client feedback, and ongoing evaluation of symptom change and other therapeutic outcomes. Make a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship or professional practice in clinical psychology. |
| Proactively engage in reflection and supervision to identify strengths and areas for development, and the impact of culture, values, beliefs, biases and self-care practices on one’s own practice; develop and implement related goals to practise competently in line with clinical psychology practice standards, codes of ethical practice and relevant legal frameworks. |
| Operate effectively within intra- and inter-disciplinary teams, respecting diverse cultural perspectives, skills and contributions, and practising within the boundaries of professional and cultural competence across a range of settings in which clinical psychologists operate. |
| Practise clinical psychology ethically and legally, in culturally informed, trauma-aware and neuro-affirming ways. Apply knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands peoples’ psychology frameworks and demonstrate a commitment to decolonising clinical psychology practice. |
- Award granted
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H951
- Level
- Higher Degree Research
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin. Places in this course are limited and entry is competitive, so we encourage you to submit your application early.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 11 October 2026
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Applicant checklist
Please refer to the additional applicant instructions PDF for information before applying.
Recognition of prior learning
Credit for coursework can be approved only if it is strictly equivalent to coursework in the current course and was successfully completed in an APAC accredited course within the previous ten years. Credit for placement experience completed as part of their current employment can only be given if it is of direct relevance to the course, would ordinarily be undertaken by a qualified psychologist, and if supervision fulfils all of the usual requirements of course placements. Credit cannot be provided for previous employment experience prior to entry into the course as it is not integrated into the overall learning undertaken during the course. Credit cannot be provided for previous research experience, including research higher degrees.
Pathways
As a HDR program, it is not typical for students to seek for transfer to an alternative course. In the unusual circumstances where students are not meeting the competencies for the coursework and practice aspects of the program, they may seek to or be encouraged to transfer to a research only program (including to a PhD). In these cases they must can apply in the usual manner for entry into the PhD course, competing with newly applying HDR students. They must also successfully undertake a Doctoral level thesis confirmation.