Clinical Psychology - 4585
Doctorate/PhD
Whether you want to get ahead in your career faster, or improve your knowledge, a Monash postgraduate degree can give you a distinct advantage.
This course provides doctoral training in both advanced clinical psychology and advanced research.
Once completed, you will be eligible for full registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, and an area of practice endorsement in Clinical Psychology following completion of 2250 hours of a Board approved registrar program.
At a glance
Course Details
| Note: | See locations for this course on the current Handbook. |
|---|---|
Duration |
3-4 years (full time), 6-8 years (part time) |
Start date |
February |
Qualification |
Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) |
The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is a graduate research degree which adheres to a scientist practitioner/ clinical science model of training, with a dual emphasis on clinical research and training for professional practice. It prepares graduates to work as clinical psychologists in both research and clinical contexts. This program is committed to training the next generation of leaders in clinical psychology, by enabling the trainees to conduct research that: a) advances the scientific knowledge of psychiatric disorders, and b) advances understanding of how to deliver evidence-based methods of assessment and clinical intervention for those with mental health problems.
The program is driven by a set of values that guide every aspect of the work. We believe we will be successful if our students are successful in developing, exciting, and meaningfully contributing to policy and advancements to the profession. We adhere to the highest professional standards in training clinical psychologists, and through our international and national networks we create the highest quality research experience for all our students. We also build and maintain relationships with students based on trust, are non-hierarchical and inclusive, and sustain a commitment to a duty of care to our students.
Our teaching and research team comprises accomplished clinical researchers who have been internationally recognised through prestigious awards, as well as accomplished practitioners and clinical supervisors. Many of our staff maintain leadership positions for professional organisations in Australia and internationally.
Our program integrates research, coursework, and clinical placements. Candidates are required to conduct a program of research in an area directly relevant to clinical psychology with close mentorship/ supervision provided by academic staff members. The program includes intensive skills-based coursework, as well as a minimum of 1,000 supervised placement hours. Our placements provide comprehensive experience with a diverse range of clinical populations in both public and private mental health care settings, including our renowned clinic, the Monash Psychology Centre.
Some further information:
Our program is 3.5 years in duration. We have structured the program so that there can be a focus on coursework and research in year 1, before the steep learning that occurs in developing clinical practice skills from year 2. To help connect the coursework with application in clinical practice, we also have a weekly case conference where those who are more advanced in the program present cases from their placement.
Our coursework is skill-focused, and is delivered by our team of accomplished clinician-researchers. The content reflects our team’s specialist expertise on topics such as: advanced psychopathology, psychological assessment, cognitive behavior therapies, and ethics and professional practice.
Then, the first placement is undertaken in year 2 at our very own Monash Psychology Centre, where all of our trainees have close supervisory support from an experienced clinician.
For the second and third placements, our trainees receive a broad experience of clinical work through our strong links with private and public hospital (in patient and outpatient), community mental health, and other health care settings. In total, our trainees attain a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical placements in the program. Our trainees become highly skilled in working effectively with individuals presenting with significant distress and serious emotional/ behavioral disorders across the lifespan.
Due to the emphasis on clinical research at Monash, and the fact our School is situated within the Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, there are many exciting opportunities to develop research expertise. The program provides our trainees with the opportunity to link with one of our areas of research strength (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/neuro-institute/our-research/research-strengths) and integrated research programs (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/neuro-institute/our-research/integrated-research-programs), and with the support of a research mentor, make independent and substantive contributions to the field. Most of our trainees are successful in publishing their research in international journals while they are enrolled in the program.
The final thesis is a 60,000 to 80,000 word document produced from your research. As a doctoral training program, research accounts for 70% of the degree. However, many of our trainees undertake research that focused on disorders and treatments, which directly enriches their clinical practice.
You will study across our Clayton and Notting Hill campuses.
Supervisor Connect
Looking to contribute to world-leading research? Browse our student research projects on Supervisor Connect and start your research journey with Monash University’s largest research faculty.
Meet Our Researchers
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Entry Requirements
You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.
Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)
Qualifications
All applicants must be able to demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and have adequate training and ability to pursue the proposed course of study.
Detailed information on the admission criteria for Monash graduate research courses is available here.
English requirements
Sound English language skills are required for academic programs at Monash University.
Detailed information on our English language proficiency requirements is available here.
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Inherent requirements
To complete your degree, you will need to demonstrate that you have the abilities, knowledge, and skills to achieve specific core learning outcomes, these are called inherent requirements.
Find out more about inherent requirements for this course.
Making the application
Future students
Self assess for credit eligibility
Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page.
Fees
Research Training Program (RTP)
This course is supported by the Australian government's Research Training Program (RTP). Under the RTP, domestic students are awarded an RTP Fees Offset which covers the cost of course tuition fees. The estimated annual value of Australian Government support for an RTP Fees Offset is published on the University Graduate Research Scholarships website. The RTP Fees Offset duration is equivalent to the course duration, based on your commencement date and no more than 4 years (FTE) for students enrolled in Doctoral courses and no more than 2 years (FTE) for students enrolled in research Masters courses.
Other costs and fees
For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.