The Master of Professional Psychology equips students with advanced skills in psychological assessment, ethics, and therapeutic interventions. This fifth-year, APAC-accredited psychology course prepares them for a final year of supervised practice, leading to general registration as psychologists.
Those seeking to elevate their understanding of human behavior to an expert level are encouraged to pursue this program at a university ranked #1 in Victoria for educational experiences in postgraduate psychology.
The Master of Professional Psychology focuses on preparing students for the next stage of their careers. If their goal is to progress to the one-year internship that leads to registration as a psychologist, they will graduate with professional practice skills that enable them to thrive in their chosen settings. For those who do not aim for registration and are ready to explore new, more challenging roles in the workforce immediately, the specialized knowledge gained throughout the course will empower them to make a positive impact in people's lives from day one.
For students who have not mapped out their path beyond graduation, this course exposes them to various roles, topics, and challenges within psychology, allowing them to sample different career options before making a choice.
Key areas of study include:
- Psychology across the lifespan
- Working with diverse populations
- Ethics in professional psychology
- Psychological intervention strategies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches
- The application of various psychological assessment methods, including personality, intelligence, and ability tests
- These skills are ingrained through practical experience, allowing students to take their learning beyond textbooks to engage in demonstrations, role-play, individualized feedback, and collaboration sessions that provide opportunities to apply their skills to authentic scenarios. These techniques represent an advancement over those learned at the undergraduate level and enable students to apply more complex interventions to a broader range of psychological symptoms.
Their studies will be further enriched by professional practicums, which consist of three key activities: workshops, placement, and supervision. Practicums provide another opportunity to apply principles learned in the classroom to real-life settings, helping students learn on their feet, build relationships, and problem-solve under the guidance of established professionals.
By combining extensive practical experience with a strong focus on applied research, students will graduate as well-rounded professionals. They will learn to apply research to their decision-making processes, become confident in critically analyzing research, and discover what it takes to conduct their own research.
Entry into the Master of Professional Psychology is competitive due to Deakin's ranking as #4 in Victoria for psychology and its leadership among Victorian universities in educational experience, learning resources, and support services. For those looking to join a high-achieving group of students who share a passion for exploring the human mind and helping others, the Master of Professional Psychology represents an ideal pathway to advancing their careers.
