MPP Frequently Asked Questions

No — this course is fully online, including both coursework and placement.

Lectures can be attended live or watched later via recordings.

Each unit typically includes 3 live, online intensive days per trimester, which require mandatory live attendance and cannot be completed via recordings. If you’re unable to attend, you will need to withdraw from the unit.

To find exact dates, look up "Master of Professional Psychology" in the UNE Course Handbooks. Under the Course Plans tab, you will find a list of units. The unit page will contain exact dates.

MPP students will register as Provisional Psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia on entry into the program. After completing a one-year supervised internship and passing the National Psychology Exam, you can apply for General Registration as a psychologist.

Visit the Psychology Board of Australia to learn more about registration requirements and recognised pathways.

In your final trimester, you’ll complete a 300-hour simulated placement (PSYC533), delivered fully online. UNE provides supervision from Board-approved psychologists at no additional cost, including weekly group and fortnightly individual sessions via Zoom.

You’ll develop key professional competencies through:

• Viewing simulated client sessions

• Role-plays with peers and supervisors

• Case formulation, diagnosis, and intervention planning

• Ethical and professional communication

• Report writing and clinical documentation

Placement runs across the trimester requiring a minimum time commitment of approx. 24 hours per week. Placement cannot be condensed into a shorter timeframe, nor can it be extended beyond the end of the trimester.

You can view the full list of units, their recommended order, and any prerequisites in the UNE Course Handbook under the Course Plans tab.

This section outlines:

• The structure of the course

• The recommended sequence

• Any prerequisites or co-requisites you should be aware of

There is a critical shortage of psychologists in Australia — only 35% of workforce demand is currently met, with the biggest gaps in regional and rural areas.

At the same time, mental health needs are rising:

• Nearly 1 in 2 Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime

• Access to psychological services remains limited, especially outside metro areas

Graduates of this program are entering a high-demand profession, with opportunities in:

• Private practice

• Schools and education

• Health and community services

• Government and non-profit sectors

To apply, you must have completed an APAC-accredited four-year sequence in psychology (e.g. Honours).

Students may be eligible for advanced standing for coursework only.

Credit may be granted for coursework that:

• Is directly equivalent in content and learning outcomes to a unit in the UNE MPP
• Was completed in an APAC-accredited program that was passed from 2019 onwards

Advanced standing is not available for:

• Research experience
• Professional or clinical work experience prior to entry

After you’ve been accepted into the course, you can contact UNE’s Advanced Standing team to determine which units may be credited.

More information on Advanced Standing.

Yes, but it’s important to plan carefully. Each 6-credit point unit requires a minimum of 150 hours of study, or approximately 10–12 hours per week per unit.

If you're studying full-time, it is recommended that you limit paid employment to no more than 10 hours per week to ensure you can meet academic and placement requirements.

Many MPP students go on to apply for the Master of Psychology (Clinical) – Advanced Entry to gain Clinical Endorsement. Applications for the following year close on late October.

You can also add the Graduate Certificate in School Psychology alongside your MPP studies to develop skills for school-based roles.