Program Structure
How is the DCP/MSc program structured?
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science (DCP/MSc) is structured as a double degree. All students enrol in the DCP in their first year, the coursework component of the degree. In second semester of second year, students also enrol part time in the MSc degree, the research component of the degree. In the third year, students enrol full time in the MSc degree and part time in the DCP (a zero credit point load). Students will graduate with both a DCP coursework degree and a MSc research degree.
How is the DCP & PhD program structured?
Students who demonstrate acceptable academic ability in their initial application and who meet the School’s requirements for acceptance into a PhD program including having a supervisor who agrees to supervise the PhD project) may take the PhD research path, and in their second year enrol directly into a PhD. Students in the MSc research path who wish to upgrade, and who have made excellent progress, and whose projects are of sufficient scope and merit may apply in the first semester of the third year for transfer to a PhD degree, subject to approval and satisfactory production of a thesis proposal which outlines how the thesis, on completion, will make a contribution to knowledge in a specialist area of study.For students eligible to upgrade from a MSc to a PhD, the program will involve at least four and a half years of full time study. Students will graduate with both a DCP coursework degree and a PhD research degree.
Is the Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science different to a Master of Clinical Psychology?
At the University of Sydney, the three year Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science (DCP/MSc) has replaced the two year Master of (Clinical) Psychology (MPsychol). The DCP/MSc encompasses all of the content of the Master of (Clinical) Psychology plus goes into further depth with an additional year of supervised clinical internships and research. DCP/MSc candidates graduate with two degrees, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology coursework degree AND a Master of Science research degree and a Doctor title. Students will be eligible for full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, for the DCP/MSc program, after at least three years of provisional registration, and for the DCP&PhD program, after at least four and a half years of provisional registration, following the successful completion of all coursework, supervised clinical placement and research requirements, including the award of the MSc or PhD thesis. Following the successful completion of all DCP/MSc or DCP&PhD requirements, including the award of the MSc or PhD thesis, students are eligible to undertake a Clinical Psychology Registrar program in order to gain endorsement from the Psychology Registration Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychologist. The Clinical Psychology Registrar program is a one-year full time equivalent program which involves clinical psychology practice, supervision, and continuing professional development. The DCP/MSc and DCP & PhD degrees are recognized, in principle, by the New South Wales Department of Health as qualifying the holder for progression to the grade of Clinical Psychologist.
Can I take out a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree without the research component (Master of Science)?
No, The DCP will only be awarded upon completion of the MSc or PhD. The DCP/MSc and DCP & PhD programs are structured as double degrees.
I have completed already completed a research degee (MSc or PhD), can I complete the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree alone to gain a clinical qualification?
No. The DCP will only be awarded upon completion of the MSc or PhD. The DCP/MSc and DCP & PhD programs are structured as double degrees. If you have already completed and have been awarded a MSc or PhD, you will be required to complete another MSc or PhD as part of requirements for the DCP/MSc and DCP & PhD program. It may be possible, in special circumstances, for a clinically-relevant project to be transferred into the DCP/MSc or DCP & PhD provided that the thesis has not already been submitted for another degree. Applicants will be required to complete and be successful in the application process for the DCP. Such cases will be considered on an individual basis.
I want to complete a Master of Science by research in clinical psychology but not the DCP/MSc program.
The Clinical Psychology Unit is only able to provide information on the DCP/MSc program. For information on a MSc alone, please contact Erin Simpson in the School of Psychology. Information on the areas of research interests for Clinical Psychology Unit academic staff is available from this website.
I want to complete a PhD (research) in clinical psychology but not the DCP & PhD program.
The Clinical Psychology Unit is only able to provide information on the DCP & PhD program. For information on a PhD alone, please contact Erin Simpson in the School of Psychology. Information on the areas of research interests for Clinical Psychology Unit academic staff is available from this website.
How is the DCP/MSc offered?
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science (DCP/MSc) involves three years of full time study. The DCP/MSc is offered full time. The program is not available by distance education nor is single unit of study enrolment permitted. Intake is only accepted for the March semester of each year. Mid year intake is not available. The two year Master of Clinical Psychology degree is no longer offered at the University of Sydney. The Doctor of Clinical Neuropsychology/Master of Science is no longer offered.
Can I study the DCP/MSc part time?
Part time places are not available. The DCP/MSc is only available full time.
Am I able to commence the course mid year?
No, due to the structure of the program mid year intake is not available. Intake is only accepted for the March semester. The DCP/MSc is only available as a full time three year degree, units of study are NOT available as single unit of study enrolment. The first semester of first year is largely comprised of coursework. The successful completion of coursework units of study is prerequisite for undertaking the first 6-month long clinical placement in the on-campus Psychology Clinic commencing the end of June. Whilst enrolled largely in coursework units of study in the first year and a half of the program, students are required to complete various milestones for research and undertake two 6-month long internal clinical placements in the on-campus Psychology Clinic.
When does the course start?
Semester 1 2012 commences Monday 5 March 2012. An Orientation meeting is scheduled prior to the start of Semester 1 that all students will be expected to attend. The tentative date for the Orientation meeting is Wednesday 29 February 2012.
Can I complete one DCP unit of study only in order to fulfill requirements for APS or Psychology Board of Australia?
No. Single unit of study enrolment is not permitted. DCP units of study are only offered to students enrolled full time in the DCP/MSc program. This also means that single unit of study is also not permitted for students wishing to complete just one subject of their interest or overseas students wishing to to complete a semester aboard. The University of Sydney does not offer single unit of study enrolment, therefore does not provide any top up or upgrade to a clinical qualification, for example for the purposes of making up subjects to meet requirements for membership to the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.
I have been granted an Individual Bridging Plan (IBP) to satisfy my eligibility for membership of the College of Clinical Psychologists, can I enrol in one clinical psychology unit of Study?
No. Single unit of study enrolment is not available for DCP/MSc units of study. DCP/MSc units of study are only available to students enrolled full time in the three year program.
The Clinical Psychology Unit in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney offers one postgraduate clinical training program, the Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science (DCP/MSc). The two year Master of Clinical Psychology degree is no longer offered at the University of Sydney, being replaced by the DCP/MSc.
The DCP/MSc is a three year full time program comprised of academic course work, supervised clinical placements and research, and is based on a Scientist-Practitioner model, with a cognitive-behavioural approach. Upon award of both the Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Master of Science degrees, after the completion of all first, second and third year coursework; supervised clinical placements; and research requirements, including the award of the Master of Science research thesis, students are eligible for:
* Full registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia;
* Associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists and Australian Clinical Psychology Association if you are completing supervised clinical practice;
* Application to undertake the one-year Clinical Psychology Registrar program to gain endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychologist;
* Progression to the grade of Clinical Psychologist as recognized by the NSW Schools of Health, Corrective Services and Community Services.
Does the University of Sydney meet standards for Psychological Associations and Registration Boards in other countries?
You will need to contact the Australian Psychological Society and Psychology Board of Australia for further information. Or you will need to contact the relevant associations in your own country.
How much supervised clinical placement experience is offered in the DCP/MSc program?
DCP/MSc students complete three years of supervised clinical placement experience. This equates to 1500 hours of clinical placement experience and 600 hours of client contact. In the first half of first year, students receive clinical skills training and complete clinical observation as part of Ethics and Professional Practice. In the second half of first year, and first half of second year, students complete two 6-month long internal clinical placements with adult therapy, child therapy, child psychometric and adult psychometric (240-336 hours each); and in the second half of second year and third year students complete a total of three 6-month external clinical placements (336 hours each). The internal placements take place in the on campus Psychology Clinic whilst the external clinical internships take place in hospital and community settings.
How much research is involved in the DCP/MSc program?
DCP/MSc students are required to complete research requirements throughout all three years of the program. The research component comprises approximately 33% of the program, averaged across the three years. Students are required to complete a Master of Science research thesis, by the end of second semester of third year, in accordance with the University's Regulations of the Senate for a Master of Science thesis.
What is the coursework component of the DCP/MSc program?
The academic coursework involves lectures, workshops, forums and seminars by the University academic staff. Guest lecturers are also invited from time to time.
What is the approach of the DCP/MSc program?
The DCP/MSc adopts a Scientist-Practitioner model with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioural approaches, providing students with expertise, both practical and academic, to enable them to work as professional Clinical Psychologists in a variety of clinical settings.
Does the DCP/MSc program only involve a cognitive-behavioural approach or other frameworks included?
The DCP/MSc program is largely based on a cognitive-behavioural approach. However, within the program advanced units of study and external placements allow students to develop a breadth of clinical experience as they are introduced to additional therapeutic approaches such as schema therapy, DBT, integrated approaches to psychotherapy, systems and child and family therapy.
How long does it take to complete the DCP/MSc program?
The DCP/MSc program requires the completion of a minimum of three years. Coursework and clinical placements are completed by December of third year. The completion of research is dependent on the student's progress and when the thesis is submitted, students may submit in December of third year, however, all students are encouraged to submit by March of fourth year, with the latest submission date of August of fourth year. The marking of a thesis may take up to 3-4 months following submission, before the DCP/MSc can be awarded.
Will I be able to do casual work if I am studying full time on DCP/MSc program?
The DCP/MSc is an intensive full time program. Information is available for the workload distribution which outlines for the time commitments for each of the coursework, internship and research components of the degree. Alternatively you may email currently enrolled students for a student perspective. Students are not encouraged to work, however, it recognised that students need to support themselves financially. Some students manage to work casually one day a week, for example, finding employment as a tutor or research assistant in the School of Psychology. Living costs for local students are outlined on the University of Sydney website. Living costs for international students are outlined on the International Office Future Students web site.
In general, what are the guidelines for completing the MSc or PhD component of the DCP?
Originality – can not contain a simple replication, must add to the literature
MSc – 1-2 years Full time, PhD – 3-4 years Full time.
MSc – At least one publication, PhD – At least three publications
MSc – Equivalent to one third to one half the size of a PhD, the quality of MSc is equivalent to a PhD.
The Faculty of Science degree resolutions state that a thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words.
Does the University of Sydney offer a supervision pathway to registration?
The University of Sydney does not offer a 4 + 2 or 5 + 1 internship program. You may wish to contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)'s Psychology Board of Australia who may have a list of board approved supervisors, or the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) or Australian Psychological Society (APS), though you may need to be a member of both these organisations in order to access information.