Master of Psychology (Clinical)

What can you do with your degree?

While broadly speaking, psychologists help individuals overcome issues from making life decisions, symptom management and improving coping skills for persons living with a mental illness. With the challenges of Covid-19 it’s no surprise that mental health services are in demand now more than ever.

There are a range of rewarding psychology career opportunities which can be undertaken in a medical setting within healthcare organisations, consultancies, and private practice.

Clinical psychology

A clinical psychologist is able to assess, diagnose and treat patients with mental illness and behavioural disorders. These disorders can range from severe to mild. Through assessments and diagnosis, a clinical psychologist can provide their patients with advice and a wide range of tailored treatment options. This can be techniques and/or therapies that a patient can do in between appointments to improve and restore their mental health.

Professional accreditation

Graduates of the Master of Psychology (Clinical) will be eligible for registration as a practising psychologist and can apply for:

General registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Eligibility for the Clinical Psychologist Registrar Pathway
Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists

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Psychology students on the frontline of the pandemic

Bondies working in the on-site Psychology Clinic are helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Program learning outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge, skills and abilities that will be achieved on completion of the program. These outcomes will help you determine whether this program aligns with your professional pathway, career and learning goals.

View Master of Psychology (Clinical) learning outcomes
- Demonstrate successful (prior or concurrent) achievement of basic knowledge and skills in the professional practice of psychology and the independent conduct and evaluation of scientific research.
- Apply evidence-based and scientific methods to professional practice across the lifespan in empirically valid and culturally responsive ways.
- Employ professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients.
- Perform appropriate standardised psychological testing, as part of broader assessment, to assess and interpret aspects of functioning.
- Identify psychological disorders using a recognised taxonomy.
- Conduct professional interviews and assessments and synthesise information from multiple sources, including assessment of risk, to formulate a conceptualisation of the presenting issues to determine the most appropriate interventions, including management of risk.
- Monitor outcomes and modifications based on evolving case formulation, including health and health concerns, family and support networks, and organisational, cultural or community contexts, with care given to the appropriateness of interventions for the client within their wider context.
- Interpret and communicate findings in oral and written formats, including formal psychological reports, using culturally appropriate language.
- Implement appropriate, empirically supported interventions, and monitor clients’ progress and intervention outcomes.
- Demonstrate respect for the skills and contribution of other professionals.
- Work effectively with a range of professional and support staff in the workplace and communicate and collaborate effectively, within the bounds of ethical and legal requirements.
- Operate within the boundaries of their professional competence, consult with peers or other relevant sources where appropriate, and refer on to relevant other practitioners where appropriate.
- Rigorously apply professional practice policies and procedures, including as they relate to referral management and record-keeping, across a range of workplace settings and with recognition of different organisational cultures and practices.
- Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking account of the impact of their own values and beliefs, and taking appropriate actions as a result.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of their professional practice, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes where needed.
- Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature to inform practice.
- Investigate a substantive individual research question relevant to the discipline of psychology.
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of cultural responsiveness, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of the principles of inter-professional learning and practice.
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge of the following to the practice in clinical psychology: i. psychological theories of the aetiology, progression and/or recovery, precursors and sequelae of psychological disorders, including incidence, prevalence and predisposing, risk, protective and maintenance factors
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge of the following to the practice in clinical psychology: ii. both developmental systems and biopsychosocial models of health as they apply to psychological disorders as well as the multiple factors that impinge on mental health across the lifespan
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge of the following to the practice in clinical psychology: iii. psychopathology and relevant international taxonomies of classification of psychological disorders, including severe, complex and chronic mental illness
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge of the following to the practice in clinical psychology: iv. psychopharmacology, particularly as it relates to complex psychological disorders.
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive assessment in the area of clinical psychology, including: i. evaluation of psychological disorders with reference to relevant international taxonomies of classification, including disorders of moderate to severe level and complexity
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive assessment in the area of clinical psychology, including: ii. use of assessment tools and processes related to a wide range of psychological disorders, and including psychometric tests, structured or semi-structured interviews, behavioural observations, measures of functionality and processes that enable collection of collateral information from multiple sources, including groups and systems relevant to the client
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive assessment in the area of clinical psychology, including: iii. integration, interpretation, and synthesis of clinical psychological assessment data with the knowledge of psychopathology to inform case formulation, diagnosis and intervention
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive assessment in the area of clinical psychology, including: iv. evaluation of symptom reduction, therapeutic outcomes, the therapeutic alliance and client progress throughout therapy.
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology, including: i. selection, tailoring and implementation of appropriate evidence-based interventions on the basis of an initial case formulation, whether individuals, dyads or carers/dependents
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology, including: ii. monitoring of outcomes and modifications based on evolving case formulation and intra- and interpersonal processes, with care given to the appropriateness of interventions for the client or clients within their wider context
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology, including: iii. consultation and collaboration with other professionals regarding clinical planning and referrals, particularly in the context of complex case presentations
- Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology, including: iv. evidence-based practice in the understanding and management of psychological disorders, including across the age range and across modalities such as e-health approaches.

Take your skill set to the next level

Extend your learning beyond the completion of your degree. Consider progressing on your journey to sharpen your skills and expand your knowledge in other specialised areas through these learning opportunities.

Microcredentials

Our microcredential courses allow you to upskill in your chosen area without the commitment of a full degree. Ranging in length from a few hours to a few weeks, Bond's microcredentials are taught by academics who have their finger on the industry pulse.

Executive education

Enhance your knowledge and skills with one of our executive education programs or microcredentials in enterprise governance. A great alternative to pursuing a full degree, these programs allow you to upskill in a short time frame.

Fellows and mentors

Here at Bond, we proudly partner with a number of University Fellows and offer a range of mentoring programs to our students. Discover how our students are given the chance to team up with successful professionals and learn invaluable life lessons.

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Why international students choose Bond