Course Overview

About This Course

ACU's Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy combines professional training in educational and developmental psychology with a research Doctor of Philosophy. Students gain experience in the delivery of psychological services through practicums, study units such as Psychological Assessment, Professional Practice in Psychology and Therapeutic Skills, and complete a doctoral thesis concurrently. In the educational and developmental stream, students specialise in learning difficulties, applied educational psychology and applied developmental psychology. The concurrent degrees total 370 credit points, made up of 70 credit points of specified units, 30 credit points of practicum units, 240 credit points of thesis units and 30 credit points of educational and developmental specialisation units. The thesis is taken as either PHDY701 (full-time) or PHDY702 (part-time), enrolled across four research terms for the duration of candidature. The course map also covers Practicum Skills, Psychopathology, Evidence Based Practice for Psychologists, Learning Difficulties: Assessment and Intervention, Applied Educational Psychology, Applied Developmental Psychology and Advanced Child Psychology. Students must complete 1,000 hours of practicum placement in clinical settings, including at least 400 hours of face-to-face client contact. The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, and ACU notes that general registration as a psychologist in Australia requires a minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology. Classified at AQF Level 9/10, the combined award runs over four years full-time or the equivalent part-time and is delivered in attendance mode. ACU funds research higher degree students for their term of study, though not the coursework components, and continuation of candidature depends on satisfactory academic progress, monitored twice annually through a mandatory Academic Progress Report.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

Admission into this course is subject to supervision and resource availability. Students already enrolled in the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) who have completed Year 1 with a Distinction average across all subjects, and who were admitted to the Master with a minimum of Second Class Honours - Division A (HIIA) or equivalent, may be eligible to transfer to the combined degree.
Applicants must first contact the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences to explore potential research areas, identify a potential PhD supervisor and write a brief research proposal. Upon successful completion of the first year of studies, candidates may then apply to Candidature Services for admission to the PhD program.
Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

ACU publishes no separate academic entry requirements for international applicants to this course: international applicants must meet the same requirements as domestic applicants, including transferring from the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) after completing Year 1 with a Distinction average, securing a PhD supervisor and applying to Candidature Services, with admission subject to supervision and resource availability.
International applicants must also meet ACU's English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, requiring an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be well-prepared for work as practitioner psychologists or skilled researchers in a range of institutions and agencies providing psychological and mental health services.
• Practitioner psychologist
• Researcher

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units15 units

PSYC621

Professional Practice in Psychology

PSYC622

Practicum Skills

PSYC623

Psychopathology

PSYC624

Evidence Based Practice for Psychologists

PSYC630

Psychological Assessment

PSYC638

Therapeutic Skills

PSYC628

Advanced Child Psychology

PSYC613

Practicum A

PSYC614

Practicum B

PSYC629

Practicum C

PHDY701

Doctoral Thesis FT

PHDY702

Doctoral Thesis PT

PSYC643

Applied Developmental Psychology

PSYC644

Applied Educational Psychology

PSYC645

Learning Difficulties: Assessment and Intervention

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy at ACU?

The estimated total course cost is AU$171,828 in tuition fees, with no additional non-tuition fees listed, making the full estimated cost AU$171,828.

How long does the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy take to complete?

The course has a duration of 208 weeks, which is approximately four years of study.

Does this course include a work component?

Yes. ACU states that students must complete 1,000 hours of practicum placement in clinical settings, with at least 400 hours of face-to-face client contact.

Where is the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy delivered?

The course is delivered at the Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus, which is a location owned and operated by the provider.

What fields of education does this dual qualification cover?

The first qualification falls under Psychology (detailed field 090701) within the Behavioural Science narrow field, and the second qualification falls under Philosophy (detailed field 091701) within the Philosophy and Religious Studies narrow field, both under the broad field of Society and Culture.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $61,000 to $80,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $124,000 per year

Career Paths

Clinical PsychologistCounselling PsychologistOrganisational / Industrial PsychologistForensic PsychologistSchool Psychologist / Educational Psychologist

Key Skills

Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoningPsychological assessment and diagnostic interviewingQuantitative and qualitative research design and analysisTherapeutic communication and active listeningReport writing and clinical documentation

Full Course Overview

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