Master of Professional Psychology

School of Arts & Sciences

The Master of Professional Psychology (MPP) at The University of Notre Dame Australia is a one-year full time program that offers psychology graduates a 5th year of study as an essential step towards accreditation as a general psychologist. This program is an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited Level 3 program of study. The program focuses on the integration of theory and professional practice and allows students to develop the advanced knowledge, skills, capabilities and attributes required for the safe and ethical practice of psychology.

• Why study this degree?

  Through a combination of coursework, research and supervised placements, this program will enable you to develop advanced knowledge and skills in psychological assessment, intervention, research and practice. With an emphasis on the integration of science practice with critical thinking, ethics and the consideration of cultural diversity, this program prepares you for professional practice in psychology based on quality client care and psychological services focused on the whole human person.

• Program summary

  First semester of study

  • PSYC5002 Ethics, Practice and Counselling Skills
  • PSYC5007 Psychological Assessment
  • PSYC5008 Psychological Interventions
  • PSYC5004 Professional Psychology Placement A

  Second semester of study

  • PSYC5005 Professional Psychology Placement B
  • PSYC5006 Professional Psychology Research Project (project)
  • Elective options (select 2)*:
    • PSYC5001 Educational and Developmental Psychology
    • PSYC5000 Clinical Psychology
    • PSYC5003 Organisational Psychology
    • PHIL6210 Philosophy and the human person**

    * University of Notre Dame students, who has previously completed the University Core Curriculum in undergrad and/or Honours, can choose two electives

    ** Students entering the program from other universities will need to complete PHIL6210 as the University of Notre Dame core and choose one elective

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the in Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University’s minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University’s Policy: Admissions.

  Specific Program Requirements for Admission

  To be eligible for admission to the program, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited 4-year sequence of study in Psychology within the last 10 years, with a minimum of Second-Class Honours Division B or equivalent;
  2. 2. Be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist (NB students must obtain and provide evidence of provisional registration from the Psychology Board of Australia before commencing the program and maintain it over the course of their program);
  3. 3. Demonstrate suitability to undertake the course as evidence by satisfactory:  
     1. Referee reports (1 x academic and 1 x professional) via HODSPA; and
     2. CV and personal statement; and
     3. For short-listed candidates, interview with the selection committee.

  Please note that the application process is competitive, and the university can only accept a limited number of students into the program due to supervision requirements. This means that not all applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements will necessarily be interviewed. Short listing will take into consideration academic achievement and professional suitability.

  Students who have obtained their qualifications outside Australia must have their qualifications assessed prior to applying for this program and prior to applying for registration with the psychology board of Australia. The Australian psychological society (APS) provides this assessment service for the board and the assessment assists the board in determining if the student’s qualifications are equivalent to an ‘approved qualification.’ However, the final decision on equivalence rests with the board.

  If you obtained your qualifications outside Australia, please submit evidence of your APS equivalency with your application.

  We welcome and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.

  Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for Advanced Standing.

  Key dates for entry

  Date	Entry event
  31 October 2024	Applications close
  25 - 29 November 2024	Interview first week
  2 - 6 December 2024	Interview second week

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Master of Professional Psychology graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply professional, ethical, legal and cultural standards and competencies to the practice of psychology
  2. Apply advanced theoretical knowledge and evidence-based, scientific methods to solve complex research and practice-based problems in professional psychology
  3. Effectively employ professional communication, in oral and written formats, across a wide range of audiences in a culturally safe manner
  4. Collaborate effectively with clients and other service providers
  5. Apply advanced knowledge and skills to engage in ethical and safe psychological assessment under appropriate supervision
  6. Employ advanced knowledge and skills to engage in ethical and safe psychological interventions under appropriate supervision
  7. Engage in self-reflective professional practice to evaluate, maintain, and improve professional competence
  8. Utilise advanced knowledge and skill to interact and work with clients across the lifespan and from diverse cultural settings, in culturally safe ways, including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds; and
  9. Design and execute a substantial research project relevant to the professional practice of psychology.

• Practical component

  The Master of Professional Psychology includes 300 practicum hours that are spread over one year. In Professional Psychology Practice A, students will complete 180 hours of practicum, consisting of observations and simulated practice activities. In Professional Psychology Practice B, students will complete 120 hours in an external placement with a partner organisation. Fitness to practice and inherent requirements apply. Students are required to register as provisional psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia before commencing the program.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Supervision

  During your practicum, you will receive regular individual and group supervision by psychologists holding board approved supervisor status with the Psychology Board of Australia for the practicum component of the training. This program meets the minimum of 300 hours of practicum in the 5^th year of study, set out by the Psychology Board of Australia and APAC.

• Research focus

  This program offers a capstone research project that meets APAC standards. This project offers student to investigate a small professional psychology research project and is coordinated and supervised by an appropriately qualified academic staff member.

• Mode of study and assessment

  The Master of Professional Psychology is offered on campus, as full-time or part-time study.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Postgraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome

  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne

  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007