Pathway to clinical psychology endorsement
#1 Victorian university for psychology undergraduate employment
Flexible part-time postgraduate study
Why choose Deakin
Advance your clinical psychology practice capabilities with the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration), designed for registered psychologists seeking a pathway towards an area of practice endorsement (AoPE) in clinical psychology. Through advanced coursework, practical learning and supervised placement experience, you will strengthen your skills in assessment, diagnosis and intervention across complex mental health presentations.
The course includes 750 hours of clinical placement experience across diverse settings including youth, adult, aged, community, forensic and rehabilitation services. Practical learning experiences, simulations and supervision support the development of advanced clinical assessment, interviewing and therapeutic skills across the lifespan.
Delivered part-time with flexible online learning, the program allows you to balance study with professional commitments while deepening your understanding of evidence-based clinical practice. Elective study options provide opportunities to explore areas including occupational wellbeing, clinical governance and scientist-practitioner approaches to psychology.
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Advance your clinical psychology practice capabilities
Strengthen skills in assessment, diagnosis and intervention through advanced postgraduate clinical psychology study.
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Build extensive supervised clinical experience
Complete 750 hours of placement across diverse settings including community, forensic, rehabilitation and mental health services.
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Balance study with professional commitments
Study part-time with flexible online learning alongside intensive workshops and placement experiences.
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Tailor your learning to your professional interests
Explore advanced topics including clinical governance, occupational wellbeing and scientist-practitioner approaches to psychology.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Expand your employment options as a registered psychologist by gaining the advanced qualifications and skills to pursue an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology and meet growing demand for clinical psychologists.
Clinical psychologist
Assess, diagnose and treat psychological and mental health conditions ranging from mild to severe and complex. Clinical psychologists develop evidence-based treatment plans and work with people across the lifespan.
- $123k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 16.8%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Professional areas
- Clinical practice
- Research
- Teaching and supervision
- Program development and evaluation
- Public policy
- Mental health promotion
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 11 October 2026
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*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 Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) ?
The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) advances clinical psychology practice capabilities for registered psychologists through coursework, supervised placement and applied learning. You will strengthen your skills in psychological assessment, intervention and clinical decision-making while preparing for pathways towards an area of practice endorsement (AoPE) in clinical psychology.
Strengthen advanced clinical psychology capabilities
Develop advanced intervention and assessment skills
Strengthen capabilities in psychological assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based intervention approaches across diverse clinical presentations.
Build expertise in clinical psychology practice
Explore psychopathology, clinical health psychology and clinical governance while strengthening professional and ethical practice capabilities.
Apply your learning through supervised placement
Undertake clinical placement and case analysis experiences that build confidence working with clients across varied mental health settings and populations.
Consolidate advanced clinical practice skills
Strengthen clinical decision-making capabilities
Further develop assessment, intervention and case formulation skills through advanced applied learning and supervision.
Complete extensive clinical placement experience
Build professional experience across 750 hours of supervised placement in diverse clinical and community settings.
Tailor your learning to your professional goals
Deepen your knowledge through elective study in areas aligned to contemporary clinical psychology practice.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration), you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
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
All students must complete the following core units, ^practicum units and one zero credit point unit
Professional recognition
The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) is currently accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
What to expect while studying
Under the regulations of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) students are required to be generally registered from the commencement of enrolment and for the duration of enrolment in their degree. This is a mandatory requirement.
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.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
The course involves two compulsory clinical placement units HPS712 and HPS709 with 750 clinical hours or approximately 100 days required for course completion.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Intensive workshops are held on-campus for units:
HPS711, (Burwood, 5 days) and
HPY716 (Burwood campus 4 days)
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 and other organisations to ensure they gain experience of 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.
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. |
| Demonstrate and apply an understanding of outcome-based and evidence-based treatment and assessment approaches relevant to the practises of clinical psychology, including through collaborative goal setting and client feedback, and ongoing evaluation of symptom change and other therapeutic outcomes. |
| 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 practice 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 practicing 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
- Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H745
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$17,400
4 CP - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 4 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
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 and get ready for what’s next.
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.
Additional applicant instructions
Please refer to the additional applicant checklist PDF for information before applying.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.