Master of Professional Psychology [M7Q]

On successful completion of the Master of Professional Psychology, graduates will be eligible to undertake a sixth year (the +1 year) of practical training. The one-year supervised practice internship, which leads to general registration as a psychologist, is available through two options: Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology Practice or can be arranged and developed independently, with approval by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.

English Language Requirements  

Evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

Course Specific Requirements

Please note: The closing time and date for the receipt of applications for admission to the Master of Professional Psychology degree in 2022 is 11:59pm on 30 September 2021. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.

Further information regarding the application and selection process can be found in the 2022 Postgraduate Psychology FAQs.

The minimum academic requirement for entry to the course is successful completion of a four year APAC-Accredited sequence in psychology (AQF Level 8) within the last 10 years, together with eligibility for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a provisional psychologist.

To be eligible for entry to the course applicants must have attained either a 2B Honours degree or a Distinction minimum average across their psychology subjects in years 3 and 4 of their APAC accredited undergraduate training.

International applicants will need to have achieved a GPA equivalent to a Distinction average in their Honours year or fourth year of undergraduate study together with a minimum IELTS score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Further information on the English Language Skills Registration Standard of the Psychology Board of Australia (1 July 2015) is available at APHRA.

Those applicants who have not completed a four year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology must have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and provide the assessment report from the Australian Psychological Society with their application. For information on how to do this and the fees associated with this service refer to the APS. The assessment report must state that the applicant's qualifications are comparable to a four year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology.

All applicants must satisfy the School of Psychological Sciences that they are suitable candidates for professional training in psychology. Selection will be based on referee reports, academic merit, relevant experience, and a structured interview by a selection panel. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview in November.

Professional Experience Placement Requirements

SAFETY IN PRACTICE COMPLIANCE

All students enrolling in Faculty of Health programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation.

The Faculty, in accordance with Safety in Practice Compliance and Risk Assessment Procedure (PDF 659.0KB), assesses student compliance with Safety in Practice Requirements, which include:

• national criminal history;
• working with children registration;
• medical, physical and psychological capacity to safely undertake the Faculty of Health Mandatory Functional Requirements; and
• infectious disease and immunisation status.

National criminal history and medical, physical and psychological disclosures can inhibit student eligibility to participate in courses. Students must submit the Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation to enable risk assessment to be completed before:

• semester one census date annually; or
• in case of late enrolment, prior to beginning study.

The exceptions are the Working with Children Registration and Immunisation Record Card check, which must be completed 4 weeks prior to first PEP.

Applications for entry to the course will be assessed on the basis of academic qualifications, academic merit, and personal suitability for professional training.

The minimum academic requirement for entry to the course is successful completion of an APAC-Accredited AQF Level 8 program of study in psychology within the last 10 years, together with eligibility for registration with the PBA as a provisional psychologist. To be eligible for entry to the course applicants must have attained an average of 70% across their psychology subjects in years 3 and 4 of their APAC accredited undergraduate training. International applicants will need to have achieved a GPA equivalent to a Distinction average in their Honours year or fourth year of undergraduate study together with a minimum IELTS score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

An assessment of personal suitability for professional training will be made on the basis of an interview with a selection panel, relevant experience and at least two confidential academic referee reports.

Successful applicants will also need to meet the Faculty of Health requirements for students undertaking Professional Experience Placements (PEPs) as part of their course to meet the 'capacity to practice safely' pre-PEP conditions determined by legislative, University policy and professional body requirements. [http://www.utas.edu.au/health/professional-experience-placement/safety-in-practice-kit].

• All methods of meeting University of Tasmania English language requirements have a validity period of 2 years unless involving a country specific qualification as listed below.
• Each course offered by the University of Tasmania has a minimum English language requirement for entry as listed below. Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements for each course.
• Applicants who qualify from a University of Tasmania program, and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, may need to meet the relevant Professional Accrediting Agency's English language registration standard.
• In exceptional circumstances or cases not covered by the categories outlined below, multiple forms of evidence may be considered on a case by case basis by the Executive Director, Student Operations in consultation with the Director, Academic Quality and Standards.
• The University reserves the right to require that any applicant be required to undergo a test of English language.

Graduates who subsequently successfully complete a one-year Psychology Board of Australia approved internship program will be eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia.

Professional Recognition

This course has been designed to meet the current standards for accreditation by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and is accredited without conditions.