With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in Greater Western Sydney and beyond.
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Step 1 : Review the admission criteria
Western Sydney University must be satisfied that you are able to commence independent study at a doctoral level and course work masters level and have suitable degrees and/or experience in the field of psychology.
To be eligible for admission into the combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Clinical Psychology, you must:
- Have successfully completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate psychology degree (with honours class 1)
- Hold a PhD scholarship. See steps 2-5 for how to apply for a PhD.
- Be eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology board of Australia (PsyBA). Applicants without current full registration with PsyBA will not be admitted to this course if their degree was completed more than 10 years prior to year of entry.
- Domestic applicants must arrange for the completion and submission of their application to the Master of Clinical Psychology program. This includes an application through UAC, submission of confidential Master of Clinical Psychology Referee's reports (one academic and one professional) which must be completed on-line at www.psychologyreference.org and participation in an interview, by invitation, with the School of Psychology. For more information, refer to the Handbook for the Master of Clinical Psychology
- International applicants should refer to the Handbook for the Master of Clinical Psychology for information on how to apply.
Step 2 : Contact the Higher Degree Research Director
All research candidates must have a supervisory panel consisting of a principal supervisor and one or more co-supervisors.
You must contact the Higher Degree Research Director in the relevant School or Institute prior to submitting an application. In your email to the HDR Director, you should describe your experience, degrees and area of research interest. You should also indicate you are applying for the combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Clinical Psychology program. The HDR Director can assist you in identifying potential supervisors and projects.
Step 3: Prepare a research proposal
A research proposal is an outline of your proposed research project and should be approximately one or two pages in length.
Visit the how to write a research proposal page for more information.
In your research proposal you should clearly indicate that you are applying for the combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Clinical Psychology program.
Step 4: Prepare your documentation
Domestic students are required to include the following information as part of your online application to both the Doctor of Philosophy (through Western Sydney University) and Master of Clinical Psychology (through UAC).
International students are also required to apply to both the Doctor of Philosophy (through an authorised agent, see step 5 below); and to the Master of Clinical Psychology program (via the International Office).
Applications for the Master of Clinical Psychology program must be submitted by 31 October each year.
For both the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology:
1. Certified copies of all tertiary graduation certificates and academic transcripts for degrees completed outside of Western Sydney University.
2. Certified proof of citizenship status (passport, birth certificate, citizenship papers, etc.) or certified proof of residency status (Australian permanent residents only).
3. Evidence of English language proficiency for applicants who completed their previous degrees overseas.
For the Doctor of Philosophy (in addition to the above):
4. A statement of intent which clearly identifies your area of research interest, a potential academic supervisor and your intention to apply for the combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Clinical Psychology (maximum of 250 words).
5. A statement of intent which clearly identifies your area of research interest, a potential academic supervisor and your intention to apply for the combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Clinical Psychology (maximum of 250 words).
For the Master of Clinical Psychology (in addition to the above):
6. Two referee reports submitted to HODSPA
Step 5: Submit your application
Applicants must complete two applications for the Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Clinical Psychology. Applications for the Master of Clinical Psychology are to be made with the Universities Admission Center (UAC) while applications for the Doctor of Philosophy can be made directly to Western.
Apply for the Doctor of Philosophy
Applications for the Doctor of Philosophy must be completed through the direct portal found in the link below. Applications can be made at any time and there is no cost to apply. It may take 6-8 weeks to receive an outcome for your application. All offers of admission require agreement by the relevant School or Institute for the provision of supervision and resources.
Apply for the Master of Clinical Psychology
Applications for the Master of Clinical Psychology must be completed through the UAC portal found in the link below (domestic students).
International students should apply to the Master of Clinical Psychology program (via the International Office)
Scholarships
Western Sydney University provides a range of scholarships to assist students undertaking higher degree research. For more information and how to apply, visit our scholarships page.
Acknowledgement of Country
