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5 steps to becoming a clinical psychologist with UWA

5 steps to becoming a clinical psychologist with UWA

Embarking on the journey to become a clinical psychologist is rewarding and at UWA you’ll have access to a comprehensive pathway that equips you with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to thrive in this dynamic career.  
Let's explore the steps to becoming a clinical psychologist and why studying at UWA is an excellent choice for aspiring mental health professionals.

The pathway to clinical psychology: from student to practitioner 

  1. Bachelor’s degree 
    Your pathway to becoming a clinical psychologist typically begins with completing a bachelor's degree in psychology. At UWA, you’ll have the opportunity to study psychology within a wide range of bachelor’s degrees including the Psychology (Extended Major) and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences major, gaining a solid foundation in psychological principles, research methods, and human behaviour. This undergraduate degree serves as the first step towards pursuing advanced studies in clinical psychology. 
  2. Honours 
    During your honours (usually your fourth year of undergraduate study), you can concentrate on your major subjects while honing essential skills such as research, time management, problem-solving, and communication, critical for your academic and professional development. 
  3. Postgraduate degree 
    After completing your bachelor's degree, aspiring clinical psychologists typically undertake further study at the postgraduate level. At UWA, you can enrol in the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology which provides you with a combination of clinical skills and research knowledge. This rigorous course combines coursework, clinical placements, and research training prepares you for professional practice in clinical psychology and is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). 
  4. Practise registrar period 
    Following completion of the master's program, you must fulfill a period of supervised practice, known as a registrar period, internship, or supervised practice placement. This involves working under the supervision of experienced, board-approved clinical psychology supervisors in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, mental health clinics, or private practices. The length of this supervised practice period varies depending on the type of degree completed but typically lasts for at least two years. 
  5. Registration as a clinical psychologist 
    Upon successful completion of the supervised registrar period, you are eligible to apply for endorsement as a clinical psychologist, which involves demonstrating a high level of competency in clinical practice through a combination of education, training, and supervised experience. 

Why study clinical psychology at UWA 

Studying clinical psychology at UWA offers you a distinct advantage, thanks to the university's reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. UWA's School of Psychological Science is home to world-renowned researchers and clinicians who are at the forefront of advancing knowledge in the field of psychology. 

UWA’s Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology provides you with a comprehensive and evidence-based education that prepares you for the diverse challenges of clinical practice. Through a combination of coursework, practical placements, and research opportunities, you will develop the skills and expertise needed to work effectively with individuals, families, and communities facing mental health challenges. 

UWA has a strong emphasis on research, leading in clinical psychology training. You’ll engage in cutting-edge research projects and collaborate with staff members who are conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as mental health interventions, neuropsychology, and psychotherapy outcomes. 

 

Ready to get started? Find out how to apply now. 

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Undergraduate

90 years of Italian at UWA

Italian Studies

90 years of Italian at UWA

2019 marks the 90th anniversary of Italian language and culture teaching at UWA. Over this time, UWA has grown into a thriving language hub 
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Undergraduate

Aaron D'Cruz

Alumni

Aaron D'Cruz

"A few months before graduating from UWA in 2016, I was scouted by a publicly listed tech company. They found me on Twitter - for which I can only attribute to luck. But it was my former manager’s reference that sold me – a reference only a mother can beat. Being a curious go-getter, I started co-organizing hackathons for the government. Doors instantly opened that helped me to start a consulting side-hustle, and was also where I met my co-founder, Chris. Two years ago we launched a construction software startup and we now have a team of seven.

Designing products the world has never seen before is beyond fulfilling. The process of exploration, ideation, designing and deploying is fun every step of the way, and allows me to experiment with different tools and ideas. It’s the most interesting part of my career so far, and I’d like to continue creating bigger and bolder tools for the rest of my life."
 
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Postgraduate

Adil Cader

Master of International Law

Adil Cader

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Postgraduate

Akash Mishra

Master of Business Information and Logistics Management

Akash Mishra

UWA is the best university in WA. The master’s framework is very practical and prepares you for advanced business and career exposure. The faculty members, beautiful campus and friendly environment make studying here an amazing experience. I chose to study the Master of Business Information and Logistics Management because it is industry relevant and combines both business and IT. This course suits someone who wants to pursue a career in something like business analytics or digital marketing.

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Undergraduate

Alexander Floyd

Data Science major

Alexander Floyd

I’ve always been fascinated with numbers, technology and problem solving. The Data Science major enables me to draw on my talents and it empowers me to make a difference in this rapidly expanding field. The UWA undergraduate structure has also given me the flexibility not only to choose from a large variety of majors, but to study German as an elective.

The facilities and the staff here are world-class, with most of my lecturers and tutors holding PhDs, so I am constantly inspired. The projects and assignments are very relevant and the skills I am learning are easily transferable. The social life on campus is fantastic with all the clubs very welcoming and very active. As a mature-age student, I thought I might be too old to socialise, but this most definitely isn’t the case.
 
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Undergraduate

Alistair Ryan

Human Geography and Planning major

Alistair Ryan

Human Geography and Planning is an extremely interesting subject for me, as someone who likes to know the reasons why cities and towns filled with people function as they do. This major demonstrates the fundamental shape and workings of urban places. The field trips offered to UWA Geography and Planning students to places such as Japan and Spain is a truly memorable and rewarding experience, while still contributing as credit towards your degree. 

UWA has always been recognised as Western Australia’s premier university. Having achieved well in high school, I wanted to attend an institution that matched the ability I had. Furthermore, testimonials from tutors and relatives about UWA’s culture only pushed me to believe that it would be the most enjoyable university to attend – which so far, I believe has rung true.
 
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Postgraduate

Allira Hanczakowski

Master of Translation Studies

Allira Hanczakowski

After completing my Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics and Italian), I was unsure how to practically use my love of language and Italian beyond the university environment. The Master of Translation Studies was the perfect progression. It has enabled me to enter a hidden world that consists of exploring the theoretical, practical, creative and fascinating aspects of translation.

The opportunity to undertake a six-week internship in Italy was an extremely valuable aspect of the course, enriching my translating skills and giving me an insight into the life of a translator. My ultimate goal is to work in the field of literary translation. I absolutely love the challenge of transferring messages, ideas and emotions across languages. Learning how to be the bridge that facilitates cross-cultural communication and breaks down language barriers is truly an art.
 
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ALUMNI

Patrick Morrison

ALUMNI

"I started studying straight after high school in 2016. My undergraduate majors were in Neuroscience and Archaeology, and in 2019 I completed an Honours in Archaeology. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UWA, and have especially fond memories of travelling for both archaeological field trips and debating competitions. I studied neuroscience after falling in love with it during the Brain Bee at high school, organised by Jenny Rodger at UWA. 

My second major became archaeology after a very interesting first year class with Sven Ouzman, where I ended up sourcing and firing my own clay tablet for an assignment. I was lucky enough to get a job at the Museum straight after graduation. 

I have remained connected to UWA since then, especially as I finish publishing work that I completed during my Honours year."

Patrick Morrison, BSc ’18, BA(Hons) ’19 (Archaeology and Neuroscience)
Assistant Curator, Western Australian Museum

 
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