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Overview
Become a registered clinical psychologist
The Master of Clinical Psychology is a competitive-entry professional programme that will train you to become a registered clinical psychologist.
Level
- Postgraduate, NZQF Level 9
Campus
- Auckland, Manawatū, Wellington
Credits
- 240
Duration
- 2 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
Note: This programme is covered by the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2021. Students are required to provide details of their vaccination status on enrolment.
The Master of Clinical Psychology is a professional qualification. It enables you to meet the competency requirements for the clinical scope of practice under the Health Practitioners Competencies Assurance Act (2003). With the Master of Clinical Psychology you’ll be able to practise independently.
Places on this programme are highly sought-after and there’s a competitive entry process.
Clinical psychology is an applied branch of psychology. It uses psychological techniques to help people solve a wide variety of mental, physical, behavioural and relationship problems.
What does the programme cover?
The programme comprises courses, practica placements and an internship of supervised full-time practical work for at least one academic year. You’ll write case studies and keep a log of your work.
Develop practical skills
There are typically three placements in a variety of health service agencies that may include:
- child and family
- community mental health
- drug and alcohol agencies
- rehabilitation
- secondary care
- forensic
- Massey Student Counselling
- Psychological Services/Department of Corrections
- Massey psychology clinics.
Get a diverse perspective
Massey is committed to the principles embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi. You’ll be well trained from a variety of perspectives and be sensitive to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds and across the lifespan.
The scientist-practitioner model
Clinical training at Massey is based on the scientist-practitioner model. This emphasises the need for clinical psychologists to have a strong research background as well as clinical skills. You’ll formulate an approach to understanding human behaviour.
Internationally recognised and market-leading in New Zealand
Massey graduates more researchers and clinical psychologists than any other university in New Zealand.
We’re connected to a wide range of community and statutory organisations, and produce unique and applied psychology research and training that’s recognised nationally and internationally. This expertise enhances the reputation of your degree and ensures your knowledge is relevant to today’s society.
Careers and further study
Careers
Our clinical psychology graduates typically work in their community in:
- health
- education
- social services
- justice
- private practice
Explore your psychology options
If you want to be a registered psychologist, you can explore your qualification options in our psychology pathways tool.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
This programme is a selected entry programme. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.
In order to be considered for the Master of Clinical Psychology you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a master’s degree with First Class or Second Class Division I Honours in Psychology with at least 120 credits of research, or the equivalent,
or
- have been awarded or qualified for a PhD in Psychology, and
- have completed the following courses, or their equivalents, obtaining at least a B+ average no longer than five years before the start of the internship year:
- 175.781 Understanding Mental Distress;
- 175.782 Clinical Psychology Assessment and
- 175.783 Clinical Psychology Interventions, and
- meet the requirements set down by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 as being a fit and proper person to be registered.
You will need to provide the following documents:
- a verified academic transcript (if your qualifications were not obtained from Massey University)
- a current CV or resume detailing your relevant training and experience
- a passport-sized photograph
- brief personal statement (up to 500 words) which includes your reasons for seeking a career in Clinical Psychology. You may also wish to list perceived strengths as well as skills you will bring to your studies and training as a Clinical Psychologist
- supporting statements from whanau/family (optional)
- name, occupation and email details of two referees. Referees will be automatically contacted to supply a confidential reference in relation to this programme.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed before a final selection is made.
Limited places
This programme has a limited number of places available. Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the programme.
No late applications
You must ensure that all documentation is supplied well in advance of the 1 September closing date. No late applications will be accepted. If you are applying near to the deadline you will need to ensure your referees are advised, as their report must be received by the above date.
Note: This programme is not available for international students.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Contact us through the enquire button on this page, if you would like more details and a copy of our postgraduate prospectus.
Other requirements
Conditions of studentship
For full-time students the minimum period of enrolment will be two years (24 months) and the maximum will be three years (36 months).
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and qualifications that may help.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
240 credits
- Part One compulsory courses – 120 credits
- Part Two internship – 120 credits
This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.
Requires:
- Achievement of specified performance standards in the academic courses, the clinical practicum courses, the internship, and research case studies
Courses for this programme
Planning your programme
Planning overview
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Master of Clinical Psychology is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
Master of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych) Sequence
Year 1 (Part One)
Professional content courses
- 175.811 Clinical Assessment Skills (30 credits)
- 175.812 Skills in Clinical Intervention (30 credits)
- 175.813 Clinical Practica (60 credits)
Year 2 (Part Two)
• 175.814 Clinical Psychology Internship
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
A good fit if you:
- want to become a registered clinical psychologist
- have a master’s or PhD specialising in psychology and meet minimum grade requirements.
Accreditations and rankings
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Postgraduate regulations
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.