Why study Masters in Clinical Psychology?

When I began studying psychology I realised that there were many different paths I could take. Clinical psychology always interested me more than some other areas. Through my own research (eg talking to postgraduates, honours students, information from the Australian Psychological Society) I realised that to work in the clinical area it was beneficial (almost compulsory) to have a Masters degree in clinical psychology.

Why study Masters in Clinical Psychology at UNSW?

The degree at UNSW has a good reputation. Placement at the UNSW Psychology Clinic offers exposure to various areas (eg adult therapy, child therapy, neuropsychological assessment of children and adults, conducting group therapy), and allows students to ease into the therapy role by being a co-therapist with a sixth year student.

What you get out of the degree depends on what you put in. It is possible to meet the minimum requirements and gain the qualification. I have chosen to use my time in the degree program to gain as much knowledge and experience in as many areas as possible.

Skills and knowledge acquired as a result of doing a Master of Psychology (Clinical) Degree:

The most valuable skills I gained through my undergraduate degree were an understanding of scientific theory, and the importance of a scientific approach to the study of psychology.

The degree also provided diverse skills that could be used in most professions, eg., analytical skills, research skills, hypothesis testing skills, writing skills.

The Master of Psychol. (Clin.) program focuses on a number of areas: clinical practice skills, clinical knowledge and research. The most important skill I have gained has been the practice of clinical psychology with a scientific foundation (scientist-practitioner model). We learn to use therapies that through research have been shown to be effective.

The Masters degree also fosters the development of skills in diverse settings. Although I want to work in the area of adult psychopathology, we are also required to gain experience in the child and family area, and in neuropsychology. I think a broad base of skills is highly valued when job-seeking now!

Advantages of doing a Master of Psychology (Clinical) Degree:

It is possible to gain NSW Registration as a psychologist and work in the mental health area with a four- year degree. So why did I do a Masters degree as well?

I think a lot of the skills I am learning could be learnt through doing two years supervised training. However I think the postgraduate program offers greater diversity in the skills that are developed. This is through having numerous lecturers, clinical supervisors, and four placements in four different settings (UNSW Psych. Clinic, adult placement, child placement and specialist placement).

I will be better qualified to later take on supervisory and managerial roles, and to conduct research in a professional setting. The qualification also results in recognition as a clinical psychologist, and membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), which is not possible through a four-year psychology degree, as well as membership of the College of Clinical Psychologists.

Most enjoyable aspects of the Degree:

I have found that one of the most enjoyable aspects of the degree has been the social support. There are a small number of people in my year and we all share knowledge and resources, as well as offering support.

Most difficult aspects of the Degree:

The main difficulties faced by students in this degree are the workload and the lack of financial support. One of the most difficult transitions from undergraduate to postgraduate study patterns was lowering my own work standards. In order to get all the work done I couldn’t spend as much time on assignments and did not always achieve the quality I had previously been used to (yet still retained a good standard of quality). Giving up activities to get work completed has also been difficult. Weekends, week nights, time with friends all had to suffer at times. Becoming close friends with people in the degree has been a wonderful way of combining a heavy study load with a social life.

The biggest drain is the lack of financial support. As the degree is a coursework masters we are not eligible for APA Scholarships. Nor is there any government assistance (ie. Austudy, Youth Allowance). Fulltime students are expected to be available Monday to Friday, 9-5. So how do we live? We work early mornings, evenings and weekends, and gain support from family members or partners. If you can’t support yourself, you definitely need to think twice about doing the degree fulltime.

Most inspiring and motivating aspects of the Degree:

It is inspiring to have good clinical supervisors who share their knowledge and experience. One of the main motivating factors has been seeing small improvements in clients. This reflects our improving skills and there is a great sense of satisfaction in seeing our own work making a difference for someone else. Also knowing that this is something I have chosen to do and a chance for me to learn really inspires me to get as much out of the degree as I can, and that means putting so much of myself into my work.

Career goals:

Once I have completed my degree I am planning on working in the public health sector for a number of years, preferably in the area of adult psychopathology. I would like to do some private sector work once I have gained more experience in the area.

In the long term, I would like to progress to an administrative role in the public sector and combine this with work in the private sector.
Final words of advice:

1.Explore your employment options:

There are many postgraduate courses available, eg., organisational, forensic, health, child, neuropsychology, education psychology. Think about the skills you want to gain, the employment area that you want to get into. This will help you decide which program is right for you.

2.Take time to explore your institution options:

I found studying as an undergraduate and postgraduate at two different institutions very rewarding. Different institutions also provide a different focus, so make sure you understand the differences.

3.Applying for postgraduate study:

You don’t always need Honours (Class 1) to be accepted into a postgraduate program. I gained work experience and was an active student in my undergraduate psychology school (eg., year representative, student psychology society). I think this showed the interviewers and selectors that I had experience in three domains - academic, community and work – and was dedicated to my work and career.

4.Be prepared:

Be prepared for a challenging degree and heavy workload. However, there are many rewards – achievement, moving towards a career goal, helping other people, friendships. Also plan ahead and think about how you will support yourself financially throughout the program.

Overall comments:

I am now halfway through my degree and have learned so much. The skills gained from the degree cannot be gained through the undergraduate course, and will definitely make me more employable. I know my final year will be hectic – three placements, coursework, thesis, UNSW Psychology Clinic – but the gains outweigh the sacrifices

Why study Psychology at UNSW?

The profession of psychology sounded interesting, and I had heard good things about the Psychology degree at UNSW. The main reason, however, was that I wanted to study a mix of arts and science subjects in the first two years, and that appealed to me.

Has your understanding of the requirements of the Psychology degree changed since you began?

When I first started the degree, I had no idea how broad the discipline of psychology actually is. So, I found that I was studying a broader range of areas in psychology than I actually imagined.

Thesis topic area:

Along with another Honours student, Kate Hetherington, we designed, implemented and evaluated a peer-assisted mentoring programme for Bachelor of Psychology students. The programme was designed to help first year students make a successful transition to university. It was also aimed at giving third year students the experience of mentoring others. I focused on the effect of participating as a mentor.

I chose to do this because the area of peer mentoring is emerging, and is somewhat under-utilised as a strategy for improving undergraduate learning experience. Therefore, I looked forward to taking part in a pilot project that would have practical and useful results for the university. I wanted to do an Honours thesis that involved people, and this was an excellent opportunity to achieve that.

Skills and knowledge acquired as a result of doing a Psychology degree:

Over and above skills in researching and writing, I feel that I’ve had an opportunity to gain useful experience in running and evaluating an intervention programme. I’ve also had the valuable and challenging experience of working with, and managing a large group of people. I believe that the nature of my Honours project has allowed for this experience.

Ultimately, you learn more in fourth year, than in the first three years because it is only during Honours that you can exercise the skills that you have developed in the junior years of the degree.

I also think that doing well in this degree requires strong writing skills, as well as the ability to think critically in order to conduct research and structure written arguments.

How to minimise stress during the Honours year:

I always spend as much time with my friends and family as I can. I need to get away from the work sometimes, and going out with friends, or watching TV are my usual methods for relaxing. Doing paid work also gives you a chance to focus on something else.

Advantages and disadvantages of doing a Psychology degree:

The best aspect of the degree is its inclusion of many different aspects of psychology. You experience a wide range of different research areas for the first three years.

The main disadvantage is that the undergraduate course is highly theoretical, and so we don’t have the opportunity to gain much practical experience, other than in researching and conducting a thesis experiment.

Motivating and inspiring aspects of the Psychology degree:

The broadness of psychology motivates me because it means that I can do many things with a degree (although more so at the postgraduate level). The work is challenging, and that stimulates me. The subject matter is interesting, and I find that inspiring, as I do the work of others in the field.

Balance of study, work and personal life:

I try to make time for all three. Balance is the key word, because you can’t constantly study without going crazy. I try to work consistently during periods of assignments, or when assignment deadlines are looming. I always attempt to keep my evenings free of work so I can relax. I have regular paid work shifts that allow me to roughly plan the rest of my week.

Career goals:

I haven’t yet settled on a definite career goal, because I would like to do postgraduate study and work experience before I commit to a certain area of psychology. I do know, however, that I want to work with people outside of the immediate university environment.

Final words of advice:

Be prepared for the workload, as Honours is challenging. To do well, you have to manage your time efficiently. Don’t leave all of your thesis work until second session. Get started early! Most importantly, make sure that you leave time free to enjoy yourself, because Honours is a relatively isolating time, and it’s sometimes difficult to see all of your friends regularly.

Why study Psychology at UNSW?

I decided on psychology because ever since Year 9, I've had a real interest in how the brain works and how it influences our behaviour, thoughts, and memories. I decided on the B Psychology at UNSW after talking to a number of people and collecting a lot of information regarding the requirements of the APS and what each university could offer. UNSW psychology has a good reputation, a scientific focus, and the degree is structured well.

Has your understanding of the requirements of the Psychology degree changed since you began?

I've discovered that the degree involves a lot more statistics and methodology that I initially expected it to. The degree has quite a strong scientific, empirical focus.

Skills and knowledge acquired as a result of doing a Psychology degree:

University study in general aims to make a student a critical, analytical, and independent thinker. Psychology achieves this by encouraging students to think about behaviour and its many possible causes or influences, and to critically think about the many claims made by members of the public or by other psychologists about behaviour. This is a skill that can and should be applied to all areas of life.

In terms of knowledge, I have acquired a broad range through psychology, ranging from theories of learning, to sleep cycles, to social influence, and much more. What we learnt in first year has been built-upon and studied in more depth in second year.

Advantages of doing a Psychology degree:

A Psychology degree encourages you to actively develop the innate behavioural analyst inside. It opens your eyes to areas of behaviour you may not have given much thought to, despite them being very common, and makes you aware of causes or influences that are perhaps not obvious. A Psychology degree is also very broad in its scope, and can lead to many different areas of research or employment.

The degree can, however, be quite demanding. A credit average is required to proceed, which may or may not be difficult to achieve, depending on what you put into it.

Current area of interest:

At the moment, I really enjoy neuropsychology. I have always leaned towards the health sciences, and neuropsychology is the perfect link between these and the more theoretical aspects of psychology and behaviour.

Participation in PsychSoc:

I'm the treasurer of the Student's Psychology Society, PsychSoc. As such, I ensure that money such as the donations collected for the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW are forwarded to the appropriate places. I also help organise and run social events such as the ball, pub crawl, and the first year camp.

Motivating and inspiring aspects of the Psychology degree:

I find the subjects that demonstrate and suggest explanations for behaviours that you then start noticing in yourself and others are the most motivating. Perhaps this is because they provide you with knowledge you can then apply yourself, or because you feel that what you are learning is not just theoretical, but is demonstrated in everyday life.

Balance of study, work and personal life:

I find balancing study, work, and a personal life is a matter of planning. I write a to-do list, and prioritise what needs to be done. I then plan my week in advance so that I know exactly how much time I have available to complete a certain task or assignment. I find that if I know how much time I have to do these things I will use that time more productively.

Career goals and strategies:

I would like to study a Masters degree, perhaps interstate, depending on the type of Masters that I end up studying. In the meantime I would like to do some psychology-related work, either paid or volunteer. At this stage, I see myself working in neuropsychology, in a hospital environment.
However, psychology is so broad, and in second year we are only just starting to look at areas in depth, so at this stage I am keeping an open mind!

Final words of advice:

Psychology is a very interesting degree, and therefore easy to love. At the same time, it is a very broad discipline and you probably won't enjoy every aspect to the same degree, but nor do you have to. Some subjects require a lot of rote learning, but all ultimately require a deeper understanding. If you are willing to put you own time and thought and analysis into assignments and study then you will do well.

Don't, however, let your degree be everything. Get out there and enjoy everything uni has to offer. Join clubs, do revues, go on camps...make friends, because ultimately you will do better at uni if you are happy and enjoying yourself, and leading a balanced life.

Why study Psychology at UNSW?

“ I was working with developmentally disabled children in Canada and loved it so much I decided this was what I would enjoy doing every day. So I talked to people and decided Psych was the best way to go.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

“Psychology is a broad subject that applies to almost any field. When I was looking into courses, I wanted something that didn't corner me into a profession (accounting, commerce, law etc). I wanted my qualification to help me progress into more specialised areas. Plus, psychology is a wonderful subject to take.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

Has your understanding of the requirements of the Psychology degree changed since you began?

“Yes. It's a hard course to take - lots of people come into psychology with the preconception that derives very much from psychodynamic theories. It's not as philosophical as one might imagine. It's in fact very scientific and very disciplined. It's just like any science -to make a statement about something, you need to have evidence that comes from a well-designed study.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

What skills, knowledge and insight have you acquired as a result of doing a Psychology degree?

“The degree seems to place more of an emphasis on its basis in science that I expected-which I am most pleased with.”

Eugene Quah, Psychology student

“To never take anything anyone says for granted as fact. To be analytical, creative and to be concise. Also, a greater understanding of why people behave the way they do, socially and psychopathologically, rather than make your own assumptions.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

“Above all else a better understanding of people in general, but also a better understanding of what makes people tick. Psych has helped me to be able to relate to others better, taught me to be a better listener and study in general has taught me how to effectively share my time.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

What are the benefits of doing a Psychology degree?

“A great degree that gives you a diverse background and is applicable to almost all areas of life and most occupations.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

“Lots of possibilities in the future. It's useful in a marketing degree or even a law degree for example. Or if you want to specialise. For example, forensics is one of the growing fields in Australia so you can become a leading researcher and pioneer in this area.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

What aspects of your degree do you find inspiring and motivating?

“Lecturers who love what they do and are there for the students, subjects that challenge and engage me, the end of my degree!”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

“I enjoy helping and assisting people deal with their problems, and I am looking forward to doing everything I can to improve the situation for people who suffer from mental illness.”

Eugene Quah, Psychology student

“Almost all aspects, particularly social psychology and the studies of racism, isolation, ostracism. And meeting forensic psychologists who deal with rather unlikable people and some horrible crime materials but continue with their job because they know that what they do will help someone else.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

Have you undertaken any work experience in the area of psychology?

“I have done work experience in several child developmental settings. It was a great way for me to supplement my theory with some practical knowledge. It gives you a whole new perspective when you actually see something applied. It also teaches you a variety of skills that you can't learn from studying. For me work experience is a vital part of my degree.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

“I worked with Dr. Cranney on a vacation scholarship early this year. It has been helpful in some ways, such as getting familiar with more formal areas of research such as rat studies and using lab equipments (handling the rats!)”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

“I've worked with people with intellectual disabilities for close to one year now, and I've found it most helpful in that I've learned how to treat people as what they are- people. I believe that this is very important in psychology (particularly clinical psychology), and that psychology students should be made more aware of these things, as they are most definitely of paramount importance.”

Eugene Quah, Psychology student

How do you effectively balance your study, work and personal life?

“Fun is really important to me, but so is getting good marks. I try to maintain a steady level of study, say 5 nights a week. The other 2 days are set aside for me to go nuts. Best thing is to study and do something whenever you get a chance. Cramming works short term, but you can't remember it the next year. Psychology builds on previous years so it makes it difficult.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

What are your career goals?

“Soon I may be commencing a new job- working in a drug detox centre with clinical psychologists. I am considering picking up another degree (advanced science, neuroscience) to assist with what I am currently studying. In the long term, I am hoping to do research or work as an organisational psychologist in my particular field of interest.”



“To work in child development, hopefully contribute to knowledge of childhood disorders and be able to help the one group in society least able to help themselves.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student

“To enjoy what I do for a profession for the rest of my life. Whatever that may be.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

Any final words of advice?

“Don't forget to enjoy yourself. Studying can be stressful and makes you a bit obsessive over minor details (if you have my kind of personality!). You'll miss out on really having fun and loving what it is that you do if all you care about is the mark you get at the end of it. Also, stats is scary but, it's easy to pick up once you put your head down and study.”

Carol Yap, Psychology student

“Study hard from the outset, get involved, ask questions, love what you do (even when you don't), have a goal and never lose sight of it and above all HAVE FUN!!! That's what going to university is all about.”

Nathan Garvey, Psychology student