Course Advantages

Accredited by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and NSW Psychologists' Registration Board

Double degree: DCP & MSc

In the true tradition of the Scientist-Practitioner model, you are awarded two degrees upon the completion of your studies. These comprise a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DCP) degree as well as a Master of Science (MSc) degree. Those interested in an academic or clinical research career have the opportunity to upgrade the MSc to a PhD.

Scientist Practitioner model

The DCP/MSc adopts a Scientist-Practitioner model providing students with expertise, both practical and academic, to enable them to work as a professional Clinical Psychologist in a variety of clinical settings.

Therapeutic approaches

Interns receive an in depth training in cognitive behaviour therapy which they can then apply to a wide range of clinical disorders. The academic and clinical staff are at the cutting edge of the application of CBT and other therapies in their fields of interest. Although clinical Interns become proficient in the application of CBT, they are offered training in other forms of treatment as well, such as family therapy, interpersonal therapy, schema therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and integrated psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Three years of full time study

The DCP/MSc involves three years of full-time study and includes three components; academic course work, supervised clinical internships and research. At the commencement of the degree, students apply for provisional registration with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board. At the end of second year, after the completion of all first and second year coursework and supervised clinical internships, students are eligible for full registration as a Psychologist. Following the completion of all course work, internship and research requirements of the DCP/MSc degrees, at the end of third year, students are eligible for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists. The DCP/MSc is recognized by the NSW Schools of Health, Corrective Services and Community Services as qualifying the holder for progression to the grade of Clinical Psychologist, after requirements for the degrees have been met.

Emphasis on professional practice

The academic and practical components of the program are focused on providing a sound research-based foundation of diverse knowledge for professional clinical practice and interns are strongly supported in the application of this knowledge to develop skills, understanding, ethical values and approaches necessary for good clinical practice. Commencing from a foundation of strong cognitive-behavioural therapy applications, other theoretical models and approaches are integrated into practise in response to the client’s needs. This provides a well-rounded and thorough education and training that best suits a wide range of clients in a most settings.
Throughout training, strong supervision is offered by experts in a range of settings with a variety of clients presenting with diverse problems. In the training clinic, expert supervision is provided by academic and clinical staff in the practical application of knowledge and theory. A developmental model of supervision is utilised whereby clear direction and focus is offered early on with a gradual increase in self-direction by interns over time as confidence and skills build. In external internships, interns undertake work with specialists in adult therapy, child, adolescent and family therapy, and in an area of specialisation that may be linked to their area of research. This best prepares them for clinical practice in a range of areas as well-qualified professionals.

Meets International standards

With careful selection of clinical internships and additional clinical internship hours DCP/MSc graduates can meet UK standards. Those students who upgrade to a DCP & PhD, can meet US and Canadian standards. However, to determine international equivalency for accreditation and registration of the DCP/MSc, students are advised to contact the relevant accreditation and registration bodies in their own country for accurate advice.

On Campus 'training' - Psychology Clinic

Before proceeding to the three 6-month long external clinical internships in hospitals and community settings, Interns are trained in a full time Psychology Clinic on campus across three internal internships. The on campus Psychology Clinic offers psychological services to the general community for a broad range of problems for adults, children, adolescents and families, psychometric assessments and group therapy. The Clinic receives a steady flow of referrals, often with a waiting list of clients. Interns receive both one to one and group supervision. Supervisors are able to observe the Intern's work directly through a one way observation window, through audio and video recording, and also through the live direct feed audio-visual system.

Intensive clinical supervision with observation facilities

The Clinic has nine therapy and assessment rooms. Five of the clinic rooms have observation windows with audio equipment for direct observation from a small observation space. All rooms will have audio-visual recording capacity from 2009; there is a audio-visual room for large group viewing and teaching. The audio-visual room has a plasma screen, video, DVD, and recording devices. There is an Intern Clinical Psychologist room equipped with computers, printer, whiteboard, pinboard, desk, and office supplies, for Intern use whilst on internship in the Clinic. There is also one Intake room. In the early stages of training, Clinical Supervisors observe each of the Intern's sessions. In addition, Interns may make audio and visual recordings of their sessions for feedback and teaching purposes. Weekly supervision is provided in small groups of four, in addition to weekly individual supervision.

Excellent links with Sydney teaching hospitals

The clinical program has excellent links with major teaching hospitals in Sydney (both public and private) as well as community based settings. The School of Psychology is one of the only Universities in Sydney to foster clinical conjoint academic positions in hospital settings. As a result, we have outstanding clinical rotation opportunities at both Westmead Hospital and the Children's Hospital at Westmead. We are able to offer clinical internships in diverse settings resulting in our students becoming competent treating, adults, adolescents, children and older adults, with complex psychaitric/psychological disorders.

Excellent clinical research opportunities

Academic staff have expertise and are able to supervise research projects in a range of areas, including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, health psychology, gambling, neurological conditions, child clinical psychology, neuropsychological disorders, and child clinical neuropsychology.