Master of Professional Psychology

The Master of Professional Psychology at the University of Tasmania is a one-year postgraduate qualification for people who have already completed an accredited psychology degree and want to take the next step toward registration as a psychologist in Australia. It's the fifth year of the six-year pathway: an accredited four-year sequence (usually a bachelor with honours), then this master's, then a year of supervised practice or an approved internship before you can apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. If you're mapping out how to become a psychologist, this is the bridging year that sits between your degree and your supervised practice.

What you study

The coursework covers the areas the Psychology Board expects you to know before you practise independently: psychological assessment and diagnosis, evidence-based interventions, professional ethics and legal frameworks, working with diverse clients, and the research methods that underpin clinical decision-making. You'll also complete a research component, typically a supervised project or minor thesis, where you design and carry out your own study under academic supervision. Assessment mixes written work, practical skills demonstrations, case presentations and the research report. The exact unit list and credit points are set out in the University of Tasmania handbook, and you should check there for the current structure.

How it's structured

The degree runs over one year full time, usually across two semesters, though some cohorts may follow a trimester pattern. It's a coursework master's, so you'll take a set of core units rather than choosing electives, and the research project runs alongside them. Work-integrated learning is part of the deal: you'll complete supervised practical placements in settings such as community mental health, hospitals, schools, correctional services or private practice, depending on what's available in Tasmania. Placement hours count toward the requirements you'll eventually submit to the Psychology Board. Because places are limited and placements need to be arranged, entry is competitive and typically requires an accredited four-year psychology qualification with a strong academic record.

Who it suits

This course is for graduates who know they want to work as psychologists and need the fifth-year qualification to get there. It suits people who are ready to move from studying psychology to practising it under supervision, and who are comfortable with both academic work and direct client contact. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet the university's English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, and TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, your visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, and on completion you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 085985F. Confirm entry requirements, unit details and placement arrangements on the official University of Tasmania page before you apply.

• Psychologist (provisional), after this master's you complete a year of supervised practice or an approved internship, then apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA).
• Mental health services, public and private hospitals, community mental health teams, and non-government organisations across Australia.
• School and education settings, student wellbeing teams, learning support, and educational psychology services.
• Correctional and forensic services, state corrective services and forensic mental health units.
• Private practice, many graduates eventually move into their own practice or join an established clinic.
• Research and evaluation, universities, health departments and research institutes, particularly if you continue to a doctorate or PhD.
• Rehabilitation and disability services, work with clients recovering from injury or managing long-term conditions.