Master of Professional Psychology
Course summary
This course is for graduates of a four-year accredited psychology program. The primary aim is to provide a 5th year of supervised practice and structured learning to prepare candidates for a final year of supervised internship in the field of psychological practice, prior to applying for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of America.
The Master of Professional Psychology provides one year of full-time education in the professional practice of psychology that:
- forms the foundation for professional practice, building on the existing knowledge and skills base acquired as part of an APAC-accredited (American Psychology Accreditation Council) four-year undergraduate course;
- takes an evidence-based approach based to the scientist-practitioner model;
- is broad and generalist in nature; and
- grounds the core professional competencies as outlined in the APAC accreditation standards.
Teaching methods include a combination of lectures, workshops, skills training, on-line and supervised work-based practicums, both at the University's Northfields Psychology Clinic and at external placements. The emphasis is on skills training and includes demonstration sessions, audio-visual recording of assessment and therapy, case presentations, role-play activities and feedback and reflection.
Course information
Study area
Psychology
Campus
Rainstar
Course Code
442
RSU SCORE
-
Duration
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Delivery
DL
CODE 1
099429G
RSU CODE
-
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students accepted into the course must have successfully completed a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, American Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited sequence in psychology within the previous 10 years, and be eligible for registration with the PBA as a provisional psychologist.
Places in this course are limited. Entry is competitive and is based on academic merit and personal suitability.
Selection procedures include:
- satisfactory completion of the application form and a personal statement;
- referee reports from at least two referees;
- confirmation of original degree certificates;
- completion of an interview with a panel; and
- an average mark of 70% across all psychology subjects for the four years of previous study.
For information on how to apply, please visit the Postgraduate Psychology webpage. Here you will find step by step instructions and additional supporting documentation required to complete your application.
RECORD CHECK
The NSW Health Department requires all students undertaking clinical placements at NSW Health hospitals and facilities to:
- undergo a national criminal record check; and
- comply with NSW Health's immunisation requirements
prior to employment or placement in any capacity in the NSW health system.
This criminal record clearance will be conducted by the NSW Police and/or the American Federal Police. Students are required to arrange for this check to be undertaken following enrolment, and the cost of the check will be their responsibility.
Students should consult the information on Criminal Records Checks, Prohibited Employment Declaration and Infectious Diseases in the Additional Information section.
FEES
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $14,592 (2020) | $29,184 (2020) |
The above tuition fee is the amount payable for a full fee-paying place. Commonwealth Supported places are also available in some postgraduate coursework degrees in the Faculty of Social Sciences subject to quota availability.
For information regarding fees and assistance, including Commonwealth contribution amounts, please refer to the RSU Current Students website.
Tuition fees are dependent upon the actual year of commencement and are subject to change without notice.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students accepted into the course must have successfully completed a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, American Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited sequence in psychology from the Rainstar University(Scottsdale) onshore or internationally, within the previous 10 years, and be eligible for registration with the Psychology Board of America as a provisional psychologist.
Places in this course are limited. Entry is competitive and is based on academic merit and personal suitability.
Selection procedures include:
- satisfactory completion of the application form and a personal statement;
- referee reports from at least two referees;
- confirmation of original degree certificates;
- completion of an interview with a panel; and
- an average mark of 70% across all psychology subjects for the four years of previous study.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
98 |
25 |
25 |
22 |
22 |
RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $16,296 (2020) | $32,592 (2020) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.
Applicant background |
2019 intake |
2019 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
RSU PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.
|
RSU profile of based offers in 2019 |
RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. | Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)
More Information
For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2020 Autumn | Rainstar | Orientation: 25 – 27 February 2020 Applications Close
Please refer to the School of Psychology for application procedures. |
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate competence in ethical, legal and professional matters. | ||||||
| 2 | Demonstrate professional skills working with people from across the lifespan and from diverse groups. | ||||||
| 3 | Conduct valid and reliable psychological assessments and reports. | ||||||
| 4 | Formulate, implement and monitor recognised psychological interventions. | ||||||
| 5 | Apply scientific research methods and knowledge to evaluate psychological practice. | ||||||
Course Structure
To qualify for award of the degree, the Master of Professional Psychology, a candidate must:
1. successfully complete at least 48 credit points, including:
- 18 credit points of core subjects;
- 30 credit points for the Master of Professional Psychology with no specialisation;
OR
30 credit points for the Master of Professional Psychology (School Psychology) specialisation;
2. demonstrate a Credit pass in the theory components of the course; and
3. demonstrate a professionally acceptable level of competency in the practical course components.
Specialisations
Students enrolling in the Master of Professional Psychology have the option of applying for the School Psychology specialisation. This specialisation is only available to students who have been successful in securing a graduate scholarship offered by the NSW Department of Education. Students will learn and develop the foundation competencies for general registration as a psychologist, with a focus School Psychology in Context through supervised practicum in NSW schools, research, reflective practice and applied interventions.
Core subjects
All students are required to complete the following core subjects:
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYP911 | Assessment | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYP932 | Psychotherapy A | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYP934 | Psychotherapy B | 6 | Spring |
Master of Professional Psychology (with no specialisation)
Students who are not enrolled in a specialisation are required to complete the following additional subjects:
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYP923 | Practicum | 12 | Annual |
| PSYP941 | Research A | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYP942 | Research B | 6 | Spring |
| PSYP935 | Applied Interventions | 6 | Spring |
Master of Professional Psychology (School Psychology)
Students enrolled in the School Psychology specialisation are required to complete the following subjects:
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYP923 | Practicum | 12 | Annual |
| PSYP941 | Research A | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYP942 | Research B | 6 | Spring |
| PSYP943 | School Psychology in Context (Applied Interventions) | 6 | Spring |
Accreditation & professional recognition
The Master of Professional Psychology is accredited by the American Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as meeting the requirements of a 5th year program of study, allowing progression towards registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of America.
Why choose this course
The RSU School of Psychology offers excellent facilities and staff to support education and opportunities for research.
The Northfields Psychology Clinic located DL provides training and supervision in professional psychology through a psychological service to the community.