#2 Victorian university for psychology
300 hours of practicum and supervision
Learn from practising psychology professionals
Why choose professional psychology at Deakin
Build advanced professional psychology skills with the Master of Professional Psychology, a fifth-year Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited course that prepares you for supervised practice and the pathway to general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). Through applied learning, you will develop capabilities in ethical and culturally responsive psychological assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based interventions.
You will explore professional practice across the lifespan and working with diverse populations. Practical learning experiences including role-plays, workshops, simulated case work, placement within an organisation and supervision allow you to apply your professional practice skills.
The course also strengthens your applied research capabilities, helping you critically analyse and apply psychological research within professional practice contexts to support evidenced based practice. Graduates are prepared for the final year of supervised practice leading to general registration as a psychologist.
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Learn in a supportive learning environment
Benefit from strong support, quality learning resources and experienced clinical educators.
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Prepare for supervised professional practice
Build advanced capabilities in ethical and professional practice, psychological assessment, and evidence-based interventions through a fifth-year APAC-accredited qualification.
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Develop professional practice skills
Complete 300 hours of practicum and supervision through practitioner-led workshops, simulated case work and placement experience within an organisation.
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Learn applied research skills
Build the ability to critically analyse and apply psychological research within professional practice contexts to support evidenced-based practice.
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
Complete the fifth year of accredited study required to enter the one-year supervised internship pathway towards general registration as a psychologist, with opportunities to practise across diverse settings
Psychologist
Support individuals, families and communities to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Psychologists assess behaviour, deliver evidence-based interventions and help people navigate emotional, social and behavioural challenges.
- $108k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 16.8%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Workplace settings
- Mental health services
- Schools and education settings
- Rehabilitation and return-to-work services
- Disability and aged care services
- Forensic settings
- Private practice
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 11 October 2026
*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 Professional Psychology?
Develop advanced psychology practice skills through coursework, applied learning, practicum and supervision. Build capability in ethical, culturally responsive assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based intervention and decision-making as you prepare for supervised practice towards general registration.
Develop advanced professional psychology practice skills
Develop assessment and intervention skills
Build advanced knowledge in ethical and culturally responsive psychological assessment, interviewing, diagnosis, formulation and evidence-based intervention approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy.
Strengthen professional practice capabilities
Explore practice across the lifespan, working with diverse populations and develop skills in professional decision-making and applied psychological practice.
Apply your learning
Complete 300 hours of practicum and supervision through workshops, simulated case work, placement experiences and professional supervision.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Professional Psychology, you must pass 8 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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
Level 1 - Trimester 1
Level 1 - Trimester 2
Professional recognition
The Master of Professional Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a 5th year postgraduate program of study for the purpose of eligibility to apply for general registration as a psychologist under the 5+1 internship pathway with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). Graduates from this course are eligible to apply for the +1 year of supervised practice and, following completion of this program, will be eligible to become a registered psychologist.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree. This course is full time across two trimesters (T1 and T2) however 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. Alternatively, a paper form is available on the Board’s website (see Application for provisional registration - APRO-76).
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 online lectures, practicals, face-to-face intensives, placements and supervision. 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.
All students, whether full-time or part-time, will be required to attend a number of compulsory workshops and weekend intensives throughout the course. In addition, students will be expected to attend at least 80% of live online seminars for their Units across the year. Students should expect to commit 10 hours of study per week per unit. Requirements for placements will vary depending upon where a student completes their practicum.
Placement program
Placements are designed to equip students with a range of professional skills and an awareness of professional issues in psychological practice. You will have placement experience in both simulated contest as well as within a placement organisation. Your placement program will be determined jointly by you, the placement coordinators, and the practitioners supervising the placements. Contracts will be drawn up which will clearly specify the skills to be developed and assessed along with the roles and responsibilities of the student, placement supervisor and placement coordinator. Placement supervisors are registered psychologists and board approved supervisors with the Psychology Board of Australia. 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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| Displays broad knowledge of common client presentations across the lifespan and understanding of the theoretical principles and research evidence underlying psychological practice in preparation for the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) internship program, ensuring safe and effective practice aligned with the competencies for full registration as a psychologist. |
| Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills and expertise appropriate to professional settings and tailored to clients, carers, colleagues and multi-disciplinary teams. |
| Ethically use appropriate digital technologies to collect, evaluate and integrate information to support assessment, formulation and treatment plans, monitor outcomes and communicate these with clients, carers and relevant professionals. |
| Critically evaluate, interpret and synthesise research findings to inform assessments, formulations, and interventions and tailor these to the needs of clients/carers and context. |
| Demonstrate foundation knowledge and skills of evidence-based intervention and management approaches drawn from theoretical frameworks, and tailor approaches to meet the needs of diverse client presentations. |
| Engage in ethical, reflective and professional practice adhering to codes and, legal and regulatory standards, recognising competency limits and scope of practice, and demonstrating accountability, ongoing supervision and professional judgment that supports professional functioning and performance. |
| Develop, maintain and manage respectful, ethical and professional relationships with multidisciplinary team members and relevant others in order to collaborate effectively in the best interests of the client and the profession. |
| Demonstrate, report and apply ethical, legal and professional principles as a provisional psychologist within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts whilst demonstrating reflexivity and culturally responsive practice with a commitment to decolonising psychology practice through meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and cultural perspectives. |
- Award granted
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H744
- 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
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 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.
Normal University regulation and guidelines pertain to students applying for Recognition of prior learning within this program. In all cases credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with maximum credit granted being consistent with university policy. 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.
Pathways
H744 is a stand-alone, post graduate course that has no direct pathway to another Deakin course. Nearly 100% of graduates transition directly to full-time work. A small number of students with research aptitude and interest enrol in the PhD program.