Course overview
If you’re working towards becoming a registered psychologist or a clinical psychologist and have completed your fourth year, this course provides you with the education required to complete the 2-year higher degree pathway towards an endorsement in clinical psychology. If you are already working as a registered psychologist, you’ll gain expertise in clinical practice through this course.
Clinical psychology focuses on a strict scientist-practitioner model that emphasises a systematic problem-solving approach that will prepare you with the skills you need for working with a diverse range of clients. You will learn how to apply your skills and knowledge in clinical psychology and work with individuals and groups across the lifespan.
You’ll learn through coursework, practicum, and research components, undertaking at least three practical placements to hone your skills in clinical psychology.
3 reasons to study a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) at Murdoch
- Learn from leading academics and experienced clinicians who are committed to helping you succeed in your studies.
- Gain professional experience with clients through at least three practical placements, including our on-campus community-oriented psychology clinic, and with external agencies.
- Establish a network of valuable industry contacts through your external practical placement that will open up employment opportunities when you graduate. Murdoch has arrangements with a wide variety of service providers including public and private hospitals, education providers, community mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, disability services and more.
What you'll learn
- Clinical assessment, interviewing, diagnosis, and test administration.
- Psychotherapy and evidence-based practice in clinical psychology.
- A range of approaches for working effectively with children, families, and adults in their social and cultural context.
- Clinical assessment and treatment of mental health problems, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities across the lifespan.
- Working and communicating effectively with other professionals in clinical planning, assessment, and implementing interventions.
Your future career
Psychologists are emerging as highly employable professionals in contemporary health services, given their strong grounding in effective interventions, solid assessment skills and their ability to devise and implement research. Clinical psychology remains the most popular area of practice endorsement within psychology both in Australia and internationally.
You will be highly employable in a wide variety of areas, including private practice as a registered psychologist or clinical psychologist, and working in various public and private sector agencies in areas such as health, community mental health, justice, education, and disabilities.
Pathway information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants
Murdoch University aspires to be the first choice for First Nations peoples. We wholeheartedly welcome and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to consider applying for our psychology programs. Across our psychology courses, places are reserved for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. While these applicants must meet the specified criteria for each course to gain admission, they will not go through the competitive selection process. These places are reserved under an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, which is applied to promote equality and aligns with Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) guidelines for creating equity pathways for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. If you would like more information, please contact Charles Young at charles.young@murdoch.edu.au.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited as a packaged Level 3-Level 4 course by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Professional recognition
Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and for endorsement of practice in clinical psychology.
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Admission requirements
English Requirements
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Other Requirements
Graduate students must be registered from the start of their higher degree as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia within the first two weeks of commencing the program. As many agencies require all staff working with their clients to have police clearance, applicants are required to obtain a Federal police clearance (which will include WA clearance). In addition, if working with children, a separate screening by the Department of Community Development is required. Any agency will only be seeking information about behaviours that may place vulnerable clients at risk. The applicant meets the cost of these clearances. Please note that some organisations providing professional placements may require students to provide full immunisation records. Applicants must be in a position to provide these records if required.Recognition of Prior Learning
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Plan your course
Explore the sample course structure below to get an idea of what your degree could look like, or take the next step in planning your degree:
Use the Course Visualiser - build your personalised study plan interactively
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
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Fees & Scholarships
Fees
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.
Scholarships
How to Apply
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
Course specific documents
- A completed Personal Statement
- A recent Curriculum Vitae
- Two referee reports – one academic and one professional to be submitted by your referees here
Recommended documents (if applicable)
- Change of name documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
- Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
- Genuine Student documents (if applicable) - Check the GS requirements page for further information
- GS Form 2
- Personal Statement (SOP)
- Up to date Curriculum Vitae
- A copy of your Passport
Course specific documents
-
- A completed Personal Statement
- A recent Curriculum Vitae
- Two referee reports – one academic and one professional to be submitted by your referees here
Recommended documents
- A copy of your visa documents (if available)
- A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
- Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
- Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
- Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
Apply through an agent
If you’re applying as an international student, our global network of agents will help you get started on your journey.
Apply directly to Murdoch
If you are a non School leaver, you can apply for most undergraduate, honours and postgraduate courses directly through our online application system.
View all ways to apply
There are many ways to apply to Murdoch University as we know everyone has a different path and journey. Get started and take the next step.
All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.
The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.
For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.
Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.
The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.
The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.
All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.