Pursue a career as a community psychologist and learn how to empower communities so they become more resilient. Conduct research in real-world settings with a focus on community development. You will be supported by academic staff with experience in:

• ·         conducting research projects
• ·         presenting papers at international conferences
• ·         publishing academic journal articles and books

The Masters degree satisfies the requirements for registration as a psychologist in Victoria. It is the minimum qualification for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The Master of Applied Psychology has accreditation from the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth and sixth year in psychology, and approval by the APS College of Community Psychologists. Full college membership is available to graduates who also complete a minimum of two years of full-time equivalent supervised practice.

You may also have the option of converting to Doctor of Applied Psychology, in either sport or 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.

• Location:
  Footscray Park
• Faculty:
  Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development
• School:
  School of Social Sciences and Psychology
• 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

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.

The Community Psychology stream draws on the educational and training components of the core units of study, but provides students with an opportunity to learn and develop broader options for the application of psychological skills and knowledge.

Community Psychology developed in Australia in the 1970s in response to the realisation that the psychological wellbeing of individuals could not be understood in isolation from broader social contexts. The discipline has its roots in such fields as community mental health, organisational, applied social and, more recently, environmental, ecological and health psychology. Its unique identity is defined through its focus on communities as the primary unit for understanding and action. The Community Psychology stream therefore aims to:

• develop students' skills in the analysis of social and psychological problems from multiple perspectives and at multiple levels. This will entail developing sensitivity to the cultural and experiential forces that have impacts on such problems;
• develop students' skills in intervention strategies which are appropriate to multiple levels of analysis of problems, from the individual level to broader community contexts;
• develop students' skills in interventions in a variety of areas, such as program and policy design, implementation and evaluation, the organisation and facilitation of groups, and the development of social support networks;
• implement the skills learnt via a research project which they will design, plan, conduct and report on;
• highlight the various ethical and professional conduct issues that will be faced as practising psychologists;
• prepare students for specialist APS College Membership in Community Psychology. The stream is fully accredited by the Australian Psychological Society.

• 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

Areas of Specialisation - The Wellness Promotion Unit
The Wellness Promotion Unit is located at St Albans Campus (3N33). The unit offers services in research, evaluation and consultation. Interests include cross-cultural wellness, community building, program evaluation, needs and resources assessment, qualitative, quantitative and action research methods, health and medical areas of research, consultancy and practice. Its mission statement is: Wellness is achieved by the simultaneous and balanced satisfaction of personal, interpersonal and collective needs. The unit aims to promote wellness in individuals, organisations, and communities in Victoria in general and in western and rural regions in particular. We believe in collaborating with community stakeholders in defining their needs and devising appropriate research methods and interventions. The wellness model of personal, relational and community wellness is particularly pertinent to health and medical areas of research, consultancy and practice.
The unit is currently undertaking a range of major projects, and is able to offer specialist placements, research projects and at times contract work, particularly to students in community and Health Psychology. Further information is available on the website.

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

• Mature: An honours degree with an Australian Psychological Society accredited four-year sequence in psychology, or a pass degree with an APS accredited three-year sequence in psychology together with an APS accredited fourth-year psychology course, will be the minimum entrance requirement. However, relevant professional experience will be a substantial factor in selection. Applicants will be interviewed to assess suitability for the course. There is normally an intake of students every second year.