The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is for graduates of a four-year accredited psychology program. It interweaves supervised research (which accounts for around two thirds of the degree) with professional training and supervised placements. Under academic supervision you will be trained in the skills of independent research through the submission of a PhD thesis.  

Supervised practice and structured learning provide a 5th and 6th year that meet the requirements for general registration as a psychologist, and to provide preparation for entry into a registrar program leading to an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology with the Psychology Board of Australia. You will develop your thesis with the guidance of an expert supervisor and have some flexibility in the configuration of course work, clinical placements and research. Typically, coursework is completed in years one, three and four, with a sustained research focus throughout.

What you will study

The program provides a comprehensive program of study of the professional practice of psychology including assessment, intervention, communication and ethics. It also provides specialised training and supervised practice in the assessment and intervention skills of clinical psychologists.

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.

You will also undertake substantial supervised research that makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge in clinical psychology.

Students must have successfully completed a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, APAC-accredited sequence in psychology, within the last 10 years, with an Honours degree of at least Class II Division 1 (or equivalent 4th year qualification) to be a successful candidate for the Clinical Psychology Program.

* Special Admission Requirements

All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:

• commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
• contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
• conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.

Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.

For information on how to apply, please visit the Application Information for Postgraduate Training in Clinical Psychology webpage. Here you will find step by step instructions and additional supporting documentation required to complete your application.