Pursue a career as a Community Psychologist at Victoria University and you will become a part of a vibrant learning environment where your psychological skills and knowledges will be directed towards applied community psychology. There are three interconnected components of the Community Psychology program, i.e., skills acquisition in course work, 3 work placements, and by a research thesis which will be of an applied nature.

Community Psychologists understand that the psychological wellbeing of individuals could not be understood in isolation from broader social contexts. Its unique identity is defined through its focus on communities as the primary unit for understanding and action. The discipline has its roots in such fields as community mental health, organisational, applied social, environmental, ecological, health psychology and liberation psychology.

You may also have the option of converting to Doctor of Applied Psychology, in Community Psychology at the end of Year 1. To qualify for admission to the doctoral program you must successfully complete the first year of the Master of Applied Psychology and demonstrate the capacity for carrying out research at the doctoral level.

The Master of Applied Psychology has accreditation from the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth and sixth year in psychology.

If you are applying for a graduate program in Psychology at VU, you must complete a Referee Report (PDF, 83 KB)

The Advice to applicants in Psychology  (PDF, 154 KB) will advise you which referee report/s you need to submit.

Visit The Community Psychology Australia website  to find graduate students' stories and information on leading Australian Psychologists.

Download flyer about Community Psychology

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• College:
  College of Arts
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus
• Course code:
  AMPC
• Duration:
  2 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here for the international version of this course

How to apply

The Master of Applied Psychology (Community Psychology) prepares students for registration through Psychology Board of Australia (PBA), and prepares students for specialist membership of Australian Psychological Society (APS) College Membership in Community Psychology.

Graduates may find employment in:

• Community mental health
• Organisational, applied social, environmental, ecological and health psychology
• Sport psychology, sport science and related areas.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Graduates of this course will be able to:

1. Analyse social and psychological problems from multiple perspectives and at multiple levels and with sensitivity to the cultural and experiential forces that have impacts on such problems;
2. Apply skills in intervention strategies which are appropriate to multiple levels of analysis of problems, from the individual level to broader community contexts;
3. Critically apply intervention skills to a variety of contexts, such as program and policy design, implementation and evaluation, organisation and facilitation of groups, and development of social support networks;
4. Select and apply appropriate research methodologies and independent research skills to identify, analyse and resolve complex problems in a practice setting via a research project which they will design, plan, conduct and report on;
5. Utilise advanced communication, research and cognitive skills to present study implications and emphasise future directions for research on the issue;
6. Assess and evaluate the various ethical and professional conduct issues that will be faced as practising psychologists;
7. Apply for General Registration through Psychology Board of Australia, and an Area of Practice Endorsement through Psychology Board of Australia,
8. Apply for membership of Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Community Psychologists.

Students are required to complete a total of 192 credit points.

• Foundations of Community Psychology

  Unit code

  APM5001

  Credits

  8

• Psychological Practice 1: Ethics and Professional Practice

  Unit code

  APM5010

  Credits

  8

• Quantitative Research Methods

  Unit code

  APM5013

  Credits

  12

• Psychological Practice 2: Psychological Assessment

  Unit code

  APM5018

  Credits

  8

• Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6030

  Credits

  12

• Qualitative Research Methods

  Unit code

  APM5003

  Credits

  12

• Practicum 1

  Unit code

  APM5021

  Credits

  8

• Psychological Practice 3: Counselling Theories, Skills and Interventions

  Unit code

  APM6009

  Credits

  8

• Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6030

  Credits

  12

• Psychology of Community Health

  Unit code

  APM6060

  Credits

  8

• Community Psychology Interventions

  Unit code

  APM6002

  Credits

  8

• Practicum 2

  Unit code

  APM6021

  Credits

  16

• Extended Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6070

  Credits

  12

• Psychological Practice 4c

  Unit code

  APM6040

  Credits

  8

• Extended Thesis Research

  Unit code

  APM6070

  Credits

  12

• Practicum 3

  Unit code

  APM6050

  Credits

  16

• International: Applicants must have either: (i) An honours degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence in psychology or equivalent; or (ii) A pass degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year sequence in psychology together with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) fourth-year psychology course or equivalent. Applicants would need to have their relevant studies formally assessed by Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) for equivalency. Applicants will be interviewed to assess suitability for the course. Relevant professional experience will be a substantial factor in selection. IELTS minimum 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent.
• Mature: Applicants must have either: (i) An honours degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence in psychology or equivalent; or (ii) A pass degree with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year sequence in psychology together with an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) fourth-year psychology course or equivalent. Applicants will be interviewed to assess suitability for the course. Relevant professional experience will be a substantial factor in selection.