Our professional doctorate, the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), provides advanced training in clinical psychology. Students receive advanced supervised practice aimed at improving specialist skills that build on prior generic professional training. They also receive advanced instruction via specialised coursework components and build their generic knowledge base. Additionally, students complete a substantive research dissertation.

The doctorate provides academic and practical postgraduate training for professional practice at a level sufficient to meet the criteria for registration as a practicing psychologist in Singapore and Australia. The program is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

The professional programs encompass 3 main components:

Academic Coursework

• The coursework modules are usually delivered in weekly teaching sessions and some may be delivered in workshop format (e.g. two 3-day workshops). Students are actively engaged in presentations, role-plays, practice assessments and group discussions. 

Supervised Practica

• There is a total of 1,000 practical hours for the Masters program (students in the Doctoral program will complete an additional 500 hours), which are conducted in the JCU Singapore Psychology Clinic and in external clinical settings. 

Research Thesis

• A research project focusing on an area of clinical psychology is conducted and written up as a conventional research dissertation. The Doctoral dissertation is equal to that for a PhD.

*Note: This program is only available for Singapore citizens, Singapore PR or Dependant Pass Holders

Entry Requirements

• Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Level 8 Bachelor of Psychology Honours degree with an award level of at least Class IIA, including a total of at least one semester of supervised project work, the results of which contributed to the honours award level.
• Applicants must demonstrate their interpersonal skills and suitability for Clinical Psychology in an interview. Clinical experience and knowledge of psychometrics would be an advantage.

Application forms must be submitted together with certified true copies of academic transcripts, two referees’ reports and a résumé.

English Requirements

• IELTS 7.0 (no component lower than 7.0) / TOEFL iBT 100 (minimum writing score of 23) and above.
• Students who have successfully completed 2 years of full-time study in English medium may satisfy the English language requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Attendance Requirements

As this is a professional training programme, students are required to attend all classes.

Career Outcome

The career of a professional clinical psychologist is potentially an enriching and rewarding one with many opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Clinical psychologists are also involved in training development, human resource management, consultancy and research.

Professional Recognition

Students who complete the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited sequence of Master of Psychology (Clinical) are eligible to apply for registration as psychologists with the Psychologists Board of Australia.

Duration

4 years full time (up to 8 years part time)