96% employed within four months of graduating.
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-2023)
Degree overview
This program is designed for those interested in a career as a registered psychologist. Develop core counselling skills and competencies appropriate for an early career psychologist. Graduates are ready to commence their internship as part of the 5+1 pathway to general psychology registration.
You will:
- Enhance your counselling skills,
- Learn to use relevant principles and methods to assess, develop a case formulation and utilise best practice with people with a range of psychological presentations,
- Consider social and cultural diversity, current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards and codes of ethical practice.
After completing this 1 year full-time program, you will be eligible to commence an additional internship year under the supervision of a registered psychologist. Graduates who complete the additional year and pass the National Psychology Exam are eligible for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a generally registered psychologist.
Placement
Our Placement Coordinator supports each student to identify and secure all placement opportunities. All students will complete 300 hours of practical experience, including external placements with a Board Approved Supervisor.
The University of Newcastle has an excellent collaborative relationship with the Hunter New England Local Health District which aids in facilitating placements, research projects and future employment prospects for students.
World top 200
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for Psychology
300 hours
clinical placement and practica
Ranked 2
?
in Australia for overall satisfaction
Career opportunities
Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to complete an additional internship year under the supervision of a registered psychologist. After this internship and passing the National Psychology Exam you are then eligible for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and can go on to work as a generally registered psychologist.
Other career prospects may include:
- Behavioural Support Practitioner
- Counsellor
- Community and mental health
- Rehabilitation Consultant and disability services.
What you will study
You will study courses that enhance your counselling skills. You will learn to use relevant principles and methods to assist people with a range of psychological problems.
You will understand the influence of social and cultural diversity. As well as current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards and codes of ethical practice.
Courses to support your drive and direction include:
- Professional & Ethical Practice
- Psychological Practice – Adult Psychopathology
- Psychological Practice – Children and Families
- Counselling and Psychological Interventions
- Assessment in Psychological Practice
- Applications of Psychological Practice
- Psychological Practica.
Registration Pathways
Student experience
Student experience
Where can a Master of Professional Psychology take you? 1:43
The Master of Professional Psychology is a professional qualification for those who wish to practice as a Registered Psychologist. Through intensive psychological training and education, graduates will be skilled in applying advanced psychological learnings competently and ethically across a broad range of professional settings.
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To be notified when 2026 applications open and other important degree details, fill out the form below and we'll be in touch!
How to apply
How to apply
Apply as a domestic student
Before you get started
To ensure a smooth application process, please complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the Program Handbook.
- Review the Admission Requirements.
- Review the Program fees and costs.
- Decide on your preferred commencement date.
Note: Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University of Newcastle’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
You are a domestic student if you are:
- An Australian or New Zealand citizen (including dual citizens)
- A permanent resident of Australia
- A holder of a permanent Australian visa.
Application instructions
2025 applications are now closed.
If you are an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, hold an Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa, or a New Zealand Citizen please follow the steps outlined below.
Please ensure that your application and ALL supporting documentation is provided to The University of Newcastle by 5:00pm 8th October 2024. No late applications will be accepted.
Before following the application instructions, please review our inherent requirements for the Master of Clinical Psychology and the Master of Professional Psychology Programs.
There are eight domains of inherent requirements in the Master of Clinical Psychology and the Master of Professional Psychology:
- Ethical Behaviour
- Behavioural Stability
- Legal
- Communication
- Cognition
- Relational skills
- Reflective skills
- Sustainable Performance
You can find all information on our inherent requirements here.
2025 applications are now closed.
Instructions on how to apply via UAC are available Online.
The domestic application deadline is 5pm AEDT 8 October, 2024.
Please ensure that your application and ALL supporting documentation is provided to The University of Newcastle by 5pm AEDT 8 October, 2024. No late applications will be accepted.
The University of Newcastle offers both Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and Full Fee Paying places in the Clinical and Professional Masters programs. CSP places are limited, and are offered to the highest ranked applicants. CSP places may also be offered to Indigenous applicants whose status has been previously verified in accordance with the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Establishing Status within the University Policy.
Applicants who are successful in gaining a Commonwealth Supported place will be notified at the time of offer. * Master of Clinical Psychology– UAC Code 927805 * Master of Professional Psychology – UAC Code 927807. If you wish to be considered for both Masters programs, you must list both as preferences on your UAC application.
Complete the Master of Clinical Psychology and Master of Professional Psychology Admission Portfolio and submit your portfolio and supporting documents within this form.
In addition, if you are offered the opportunity to enrol in the Master of Clinical Psychology or the Master of Professional Psychology you will be required to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) (unless you already are provisionally or fully registered). Please make sure that you are eligible for provisional registration. You are required to meet the Ahpra English Language Skills to meet Ahpra’s requirements to obtain provisional registration.
Psychology Reference Portal will open on 1 August, 2024.
All applicants must provide TWO referee reports. This could be either one Academic and one Professional reference, or two Professional References, depending on your circumstances.
Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees complete the report via the Psychology Reference Portal before the deadline. References submitted in 2023 are not available for review, and you will need to request new references to be considered for 2025 admissions.
The University of Newcastle welcomes and encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to consider applying for entry into our postgraduate psychology programs.
Across our Master of Professional Psychology Program (MPP) and Master of Clinical Psychology Program (MCP) there are two CSP places in the MPP and four CSP places in the MCP which are given preferentially to our highest-ranking Indigenous applicants.
All applicants will be evaluated on their academic achievement, personal statement, curriculum vitae, referee reports, and performance on an interview to ensure that they have the preparedness to undertake the program.
To be considered for CSP places, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are required to:
- Go through Establishing Status within the University of Newcastle (UON students, Internal Applicants)
- Or send the filled ESTABLISHING ABORIGINALITY AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STATUS - APPLICATION FORM to PVCIndigenous@newcastle.edu.au email address (Applicants from other universities).
Please review the UON Establishing Status within the University policy and if you have any questions or would like more information about this pathway, please contact Dr Stacey McMullen (Stacey.McMullen@newcastle.edu.au).
For all other enquiries, please contact:
- Dr Sally Hunt (Sally.Hunt@newcastle.edu.au) about Master of Professional Psychology Program (MPP)
- Dr Tanya Hanstock (Tanya.Hanstock@newcastle.edu.au) about Master of Clinical Psychology Program (MCP).
Applications are open from August to October 8th 2024.
CSP places are being prioritised for those who identify and are officially recognised as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander as part of an exception of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 [s51], which is being applied to achieve equality.
Other things to consider
Admission to this program is available through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC code 927806).
Admission to the degree is competitive. Applicants require all of the following in order to be considered for a place in the program:
- Successful completion of a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited sequence in psychology qualification, which has been completed with a second-class Honours (2B) or above; or an overall GPA of 5.0 or above (7-point scale) in the 4th year component of a non-Honours program; or equivalent postgraduate qualifications with an accredited sequence in psychology.
- Eligibility for provisional registration with the Psychology Registration Board of Australia.
- Successful completion of an admission portfolio, and providing two referee reports.
- Successful completion of an interview.
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
The IELTS requirement for admission to this program is 7.0 with no sub-test less than 7.0.
-
All applicants are required to submit an admission portfolio with their admission application. The admission portfolio must include:
- Certified or full colour copies of education and training certificates (if applicable)
- Copy of your curriculum vitae
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency Requirements
- All applicants must provide TWO referee reports. This could be either one Academic and one Professional reference, or two Professional References, depending on your circumstances. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your referees complete the report via the Psychology Reference Portal. Encourage your referees to check their junk mail folder for this request. Late referees’ reports will not be accepted and applications with fewer than two referee reports will not be considered. References submitted in 2023 are not available for review, and you will need to request new references to be considered for 2025 admissions.
There are two placements required in the program. Each placements will be 20 days (a total of 300 hours) duration.
Apply as an international student
Before you get started
To ensure a smooth application process, please complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the Program Handbook.
- Review the Admission Requirements.
- Review the Program fees and costs.
- Decide on your preferred commencement date.
Note: Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University of Newcastle’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
English proficiency requirements
Applicants who do not speak English as a first language must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy.
- IELTS overall minimum - 7.0
- IELTS section minimum - 7.0
- About English Language Pathways
Apply to the University via our online application portal.
In the application portal, you can enter the program you wish to study and upload relevant documents needed as part of your application. It is recommended you submit your application a minimum of 12 weeks before your intended semester of trimester start date.
If you are applying through an education agent, they can also apply through the application portal. Ensure your agent is contracted to the University to avoid delays with your application.
Once you have started your application you will be provided with a reference number. You or your education agent will be able to track your application as it progresses.
Application instructions
2025 applications are now closed.
The main round international application deadline is 5pm AEDT 8 October, 2024. No late applications will be accepted.
Before following the application instructions, please read through our inherent requirements for Master of Clinical Psychology and Master of Professional Psychology Programs.
There are eight domains of inherent requirements in the Master of Clinical Psychology and the Master of Professional Psychology:
- Ethical Behaviour
- Behavioural Stability
- Legal
- Communication
- Cognition
- Relational skills
- Reflective skills
- Sustainable Performance
You can find all information on our inherent requirements here.
2025 applications are now closed.
The main round international application deadline is 5pm AEDT 8 October, 2024, with interview period in the end of November.
Please ensure that your application and ALL supporting documentation is provided to The University of Newcastle by the deadline. No late applications will be accepted.
There are two ways to make an application as an international student.
Online
You can apply through our International Admissions System. You can save your online application after you have started, and come back to it later.
Education Agent
You are able to apply through one of the University’s contracted education agents. Our education agents are trained to provide you with support during your university admissions and visa application process. If you have any questions on the application process please, contact ia@newcastle.edu.au.
Complete the Master of Clinical Psychology and Master of Professional Psychology Admission Portfolio and submit your portfolio and supporting documents within this form.
In addition, if you are offered the opportunity to enrol in the Master of Clinical Psychology or the Master of Professional Psychology you will be required to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) (unless you already are provisionally or fully registered). Please make sure that you are eligible for provisional registration. You are required to meet the Ahpra English Language Skills to meet Ahpra's requirements to obtain provisional registration.
Psychology Reference Portal will open on 1 August, 2024.
All applicants must provide TWO referee reports. This could be either one Academic and one Professional reference, or two Professional References, depending on your circumstances.
Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees complete the report via the Psychology Reference Portal before the deadline. References submitted in 2023 are not available for review, and you will need to request new references to be considered for 2025 admissions.
Other things to consider
To ensure that the process goes smoothly for you, you should complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the program that you wish to apply for. Note the admission criteria, admission instructions, requirements & structure and any additional information listed.
- Review the program fees and costs.
- Check whether your postgraduate program has a Semester or a Trimester closing date.
- If you are from a non-English-speaking background, you need to satisfy the University's English language requirements and ensure that you can provide evidence of your English proficiency if required.
You will be considered for entry based on criteria such as your undergraduate studies and/or equivalent prior learning and/or relevant work experience.
Admission to this program is available through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC code 927806).
Admission to the degree is competitive. Applicants require all of the following in order to be considered for a place in the program:
- Successful completion of a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited sequence in psychology qualification, which has been completed with a second-class Honours (2B) or above; or an overall GPA of 5.0 or above (7-point scale) in the 4th year component of a non-Honours program; or equivalent postgraduate qualifications with an accredited sequence in psychology
- Eligibility for provisional registration with the Psychology Registration Board of Australia.
- Successful completion of an admission portfolio, and providing two referee reports
- Successful completion of an interview.
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
The IELTS requirement for admission to this program is 7.0 with no sub-test less than 7.0
-
All applicants are required to submit an admission portfolio with their admission application. The admission portfolio must include:
- Certified or full colour copies of education and training certificates (if applicable)
- Copy of your curriculum vitae
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you have completed your undergraduate qualification outside of Australia, you will be required to provide evidence that it has been assessed by the Australian Psychology Society (APS) as equivalent to the Australia Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) 4th Year Psychology Sequence.
Please note that this process can take time, so please ensure that you apply to have this assessed in time for your Admission Portfolio submission.
In addition, if you are offered the opportunity to enrol in the Master of Clinical Psychology or the Master of Professional Psychology you will be required to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) (unless you already are provisionally or fully registered). Please, make sure that you are eligible for provisional registration. You are required to meet the English Language Skills, please note that the requirements of Ahpra are more stringent than those for the University of Newcastle and that you need to meet Ahpra’s requirements to obtain provisional registration.
-
All applicants must provide TWO referee reports. This could be either one Academic and one Professional reference, or two Professional References, depending on your circumstances.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your referees complete the report via the Psychology Reference Portal. Encourage your referees to check their junk mail folder for this request. Late referees’ reports will not be accepted and applications with fewer than two referee reports will not be considered. References submitted in 2023 are not available for review, and you will need to request new references to be considered for 2025 admissions.
There are two placements required in the program. Each placements will be 20 days (a total of 300 hours) duration.
Scholarships
Scholarships
If you are a current student, or planning to study with us, we encourage you to apply for all scholarships you meet the criteria for.
Scholarships are available for current, future and international students, Asylum seekers, Graduate research, abroad and exchange study and opportunities with external providers.
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1 Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Learn more.
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This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Complete an additional internship year under the supervision of a registered psychologist and passing the National Psychology Exam are then eligible for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and can go on to work as a generally registered psychologist.
Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. However, changes to courses and programs may occur. The University accepts no responsibility for any information supplied on this web site or any actions taken on the basis of the information. Users are advised to seek confirmation of the information from the relevant area of the University.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.