4585 Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) (4585) is a 4 years full-time, 0-credit-point, doctoral degree course from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, taught at Clayton. Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.
- Credit points
- 0
- Duration
- 4 years full time
- 8 years part time
- Campus
- Clayton
- On campus
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review 4585.
Requisite map
The 2026 handbook lists no units for 4585 itself. Pick an area of study to see its units.
Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is a professional doctorate program that integrates advanced practitioner training in clinical psychology with graduate research training to prepare you for work as a Clinical Psychologist and an academic leader in the field of clinical psychology. Our graduates use their knowledge of psychology and mental health for the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, treatment and prevention of psychological problems and mental illness across the lifespan in research and clinical settings.
The course is founded on a commitment to excellence in clinical training and clinical research that can positively impact the brain and mental health of the community. During the program, you will conduct an independent, meaningful and novel investigation of a research problem relevant to clinical psychology under the guidance of experienced academics. You will learn from passionate clinical educators through coursework, and expert clinical supervisors across three clinical placements. You will become a scientist-practitioner with generalised and specialised clinical skills, that enables you to respond to complex mental health problems, that is culturally responsive, in order to help people thrive.
The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth and sixth year of study in Psychology. Graduates of the program are eligible for general registration as a Psychologist and entry to a registrar program toward Area of Practice Endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.
Course structure
As the PhD (Clinical Psychology) includes a component of direct client activities, all students are required to be provisionally or generally registered as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) for the duration of the course. You need to apply for provisional registration after you have enrolled in your degree and before you start your coursework.
Learning outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
- 1
Successful completion of the program will signify that the student has successfully completed a course of postgraduate training in clinical psychology practice and research under academic supervision, and has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the student's capacity to carry out independent, original research.
- 2
The course learning outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 10, Monash Graduate Attributes, and APAC Level 3 and Level 4 professional competencies.
- 3
Apply advanced knowledge of psychological theories and psychopathology, using both developmental and biopsychosocial frameworks, to guide practice with individuals, groups, and/or systems.
- 4
Demonstrate application of legal and ethical standards that govern professional psychology and ability to appropriately manage ethical issues in practice.
- 5
Competently use psychological assessment tools and processes with a wide range of clinical presentations, and from multiple sources, to inform case formulation, diagnosis and intervention, that is sensitive to the socio-cultural context.
- 6
Demonstrate highly skilled delivery and monitoring of evidence-based interventions to a wide range of clinical presentations that is responsive to the client’s goals, socio-cultural context, and psychotherapy processes.
- 7
Design, carry out, and disseminate a significant, independent and novel body of empirical research relevant to clinical psychology to solve mental health challenges.
- 8
Effectively communicate complex ideas and concepts about mental health problems and solutions to a variety of audiences.
- 9
Engage in reflective practice through coursework, supervision and clinical work that enables flexible and adaptive clinical practice.
- 10
Works effectively with and is sensitive to, other cultures and contexts with respect and humility, with specific knowledge and skills working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Entry requirements
English language
Monash Level D: IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall (no band lower than 7.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 65 overall with no band lower than 65; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score 98 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 27, Listening: 24, Reading: 24 and Speaking: 23; or Equivalent approved English test.
Please note: as students need to be provisionally or generally registered as a psychologist on commencement of the course, you must also be able to meet the mandatory AHPRA English language skills registration standard
More information
Professional accreditation
Graduates are eligible for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). In order to gain endorsement as a clinical psychologist, an additional minimum 18 months of approved, supervised, full-time equivalent practice with a board-approved supervisor is required. Further information is available on the Psychology Board of Australia website.
Notes for students
Conditions of enrolment
You will be required to complete:
- Monash Graduate Research Induction (online)
- Research Integrity (online)
- Respectful Research at Monash (online)
- Cultural Foundations: Building your knowledge of Australia's First Peoples (online)
- Any faculty or program induction requirements.
In addition, students may be required to undertake occupational health and safety training. As a student of the university, you will be required to abide by all relevant statutes, regulations, policies and procedures. This includes maintaining satisfactory progress via regular milestone reviews in accordance with the Graduate Research Candidature Management policy and procedures, ensuring you are undertaking research of an appropriate quality and scale as required by your course. You should refer to the University's current statutes and the University Policy Bank for links to relevant policies, procedures and guidelines.
Other information
The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is a professional doctorate program that integrates advanced practitioner training in clinical psychology with graduate research training to prepare you for work as a Clinical Psychologist and an academic leader in the field of clinical psychology. Our graduates use their knowledge of psychology and mental health for the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, treatment and prevention of psychological problems and mental illness across the lifespan in research and clinical settings.
The course is founded on a commitment to excellence in clinical training and clinical research that can positively impact the brain and mental health of the community. During the program, you will conduct an independent, meaningful and novel investigation of a research problem relevant to clinical psychology under the guidance of experienced academics. You will learn from passionate clinical educators through coursework, and expert clinical supervisors across three clinical placements. You will become a scientist-practitioner with generalised and specialised clinical skills, that enables you to respond to complex mental health problems, that is culturally responsive, in order to help people thrive.
The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth and sixth year of study in Psychology. Graduates of the program are eligible for general registration as a Psychologist and entry to a registrar program toward Area of Practice Endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.
Contacts
- Academic Coordinator
- Dr Sally Richmond
Common questions
How long is Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)?
4 years full time, 0 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 0 semesters of full-time study.
Where can I study Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)?
At Clayton.
How do I plan my Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) units?
Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.