Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is for graduates of a four-year accredited psychology program. It interweaves supervised research (which accounts for around two thirds of the degree) with professional training and supervised placements. Under academic supervision you will be trained in the skills of independent research through the submission of a PhD thesis.  

Supervised practice and structured learning provide a 5th and 6th year that meet the requirements for general registration as a psychologist, and to provide preparation for entry into a registrar program leading to an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology with the Psychology Board of Australia. You will develop your thesis with the guidance of an expert supervisor and have some flexibility in the configuration of course work, clinical placements and research. Typically, coursework is completed in years one, three and four, with a sustained research focus throughout.

What you will study
The program provides a comprehensive program of study of the professional practice of psychology including assessment, intervention, communication and ethics. It also provides specialised training and supervised practice in the assessment and intervention skills of clinical psychologists.

Teaching methods include a combination of lectures, workshops, skills training, on-line and supervised work-based practicums, both at the University's Northfields Psychology Clinic and at external placements. The emphasis is on skills training and includes demonstration sessions, audio-visual recording of assessment and therapy, case presentations, role-play activities and feedback and reflection.

You will also undertake substantial supervised research that makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge in clinical psychology.