Master of Applied Psychology (Community Psychology)

Based on the scientist–practitioner model of advanced psychology training, this postgraduate psychology course combines practical classes and supervised practice to help you acquire and apply the following skills:

• psychological and cognitive assessment, case formulation and diagnosis of a range of common and complex mental health issues affecting individuals, groups and communities
• advanced ethical decision-making to provide person-centred and recovery-oriented psychological services across interprofessional practice settings
• culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practice to assist your work in diverse communities
• evidence-based interventions and advocacy to support the wellbeing of young people, adults, older adults, groups, families and communities.

The course adopts a lifespan framework, training graduates in a wide range of assessment and therapeutic techniques with children, young people, adults and older people. It offers a particular emphasis on addressing social determinants of health and wellbeing (e.g., discrimination, violence, social and economic exclusion). The approach embraces a reflexive and scientist-practitioner perspective, providing evidence-based interventions for promoting human flourishing and positive social change.

Over three practicum units, you will participate in a range of fieldwork placements, including the possibility of a placement at our Orygen outpost. At each placement, you will be supported under the direct supervision of experienced psychologists (with appropriate endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia).

At  VU Psychology Clinic, you will have the opportunity to provide psychological services under close supervision to a culturally diverse community seeking support for a range of mental health issues.

By graduation, you will have completed 1000 hours of supervised practical placement experience.

Instead of juggling multiple units at the same time, at VU you can focus on one unit at a time over a four-week ‘block’, usually with three 3-hour workshop-style classes per week.

In each class, you will apply your knowledge and skills to contemporary, problem-based scenarios, drawn from the mental health sector.

You will develop your skills as a critical thinker, and work in partnership with your classmates and your teacher, who will be an experienced psychologist and researcher.

VU is only accepting applications for AMAC from second year applicants in 2024. That is those students who have completed or are completing a 5th year psychology sequence in 2023 or are completing first year of a two-year 5th and 6th year program in 2023 and wish to transfer. First year applications will be accepted again in 2025.

Due to limited places and a high volume of applications, it is important applicants apply early. If places are filled in the timely round, round two and three applications will not be considered, or applications may close early.

• Round One (timely round) – Applications close Sunday 24 September 2023 (all applications submitted prior to Sunday 24 September 2023 will be considered as timely)
• Round Two – Applications close Sunday 29 October 2023 (if places available)
• Round Three – Applications close Sunday 26 November 2023 (if places available)

A reminder that applicants need to arrange two referee reports (one personal and one academic) via the Psychology Reference Portal.

Applicants also need to provide a resume/CV with their application and complete the supplementary form available as part of the application process.

Find more information about how to apply, below on this page.