Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology at The University of Auckland is undertaken as a doctoral programme of study. This programme is restricted to New Zealand and Australian citizens/residents.

The Clinical Psychology programme in our school consists of four years:

• Year 1: Honours
• Year 2: Doctor of Clinical Psychology year 1
• Year 3: Doctor of Clinical Psychology year 2
• Year 4: Doctor of Clinical Psychology year 3

Clinical Psychology is a broad field of clinical practice and research within the discipline of Psychology. Clinical Psychologists are involved in professional practice, research, teaching and supervision, programme development and evaluation, consultation, public policy and other activities that promote psychological health in individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities. The application of Clinical Psychology is aimed at preventing, treating and reducing emotional and psychological problems, personality issues, psychopathology and skill deficits underlying distress or psychological problems.

A career in Clinical Psychology allows one to work in human service fields, including the District Health Boards, the Department of Correction Psychological Services, private practice and other social welfare and counselling agencies.

The Clinical Psychology programme is based at the Tāmaki campus. In addition to staff offices and a main reception, there are student offices and computer workstations, a Psychology Clinic where students see clients and a clinical test library.

The postgraduate Clinical Psychology Programme has a four year duration. This area of study commences with a one-year Honours degree in Psychology (specialising in the area of Clinical Psychology). Successful candidates are then expected to continue on to a three-year Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).

The DClinPsy has approval from the New Zealand Psychologists Board and allows graduates to apply to be registered in the Clinical Psychology Scope of Practice.

To gain entry into the three-year doctorate, students must first apply for and complete the Clinical Honours year.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) / Bachelor of Science (Honours)

You will be required to enrol in courses totalling 120 points.

This includes compulsory clinical courses:

• PSYCH 708: A & B Clinical Neuropsychology (30 points)
• PSYCH 718: Psychotherapeutic Assessment and Formulation (15 points)
• PSYCH 723: Mental Health problems: Aetiology and assessment (15 Points)
• PSYCH 788: Honours dissertation (45 points)
• AND one other 15 point postgraduate course.

Recommended courses: PSYCH 707: Forensic Psychology; PSYCH 712: Psychology of Psychosis; PSYCH 748: Health Psychology Interventions; or another 700 level Psychology course of relevance to your area of study or interests.

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
To be eligible for entry into the DClinPsy students must demonstrate the ability and personal qualities necessary to undertake a doctoral level research oriented course of study that satisfies the eligibility requirements for registration to practice as a psychologist. Students must also maintain a B+ average in their Honours year.

Year 1:

• PSYCH 801: Scientist Practitioner Model—Part 1 (30 points)
• PSYCH 897: Portfolio of Clinical Research—Part 1 (15 points)
• PSYCH 899: Thesis—Part 1 (75 points)

(includes 200 hours of placement).

Year 2:

• PSYCH 802: Scientist Practitioner Model—Part 2 (30 points)
• PSYCH 897: Portfolio of Clinical Research—Part 2 (30 points)
• PSYCH 899: Thesis—Part 2 (60 points)

(includes two placements of 200 hours each).

Year 3:

• PSYCH 803: Internship (60 points)
• PSYCH 897: Portfolio of Clinical Research—Part 3 (45 points)
• PSYCH 899: Thesis—Part 3 (15 points)

(includes 1500 hours of internship)

The placement component is at least one child/family and one adult placement. Evaluation is by internal examination for individual courses/placements and external examination for the research components.

Students who already have Honours/Masters/PhD
Students may also apply for entry to the Clinical Psychology programme if they have the following minimum academic entry criteria:

1. a Masters or Honours degree in Psychology
2. a PhD in Psychology.

If selected they will enrol in PSYCH: 708, PSYCH: 718 and PSYCH: 723, if they have not already been credited with these courses. These courses must be completed prior to commencing the three-year DClinPsy.

Please remember if you have completed these prerequisites, that we select our students as a complete cohort. This means you would have a stand down year while the rest of your cohort completes these requirements.

• Adult mental health
• Psychosis
• Child and adolescent mental health
• Child and adolescent physical health
• Forensic Psychology
• Child abuse and trauma
• Clinical neuropsychology – child and adult
• Family psychology including divorce and stepfamilies
• Health Psychology

To gain entry into the three-year Doctor of Clinical Psychology programme students must first apply to, and complete, an Honours year specialising in Clinical Psychology. This includes compulsory Clinical Psychology courses.

Students who already have a postgraduate Psychology degree (such as Honours or Masters) would, if selected, undertake only those compulsory courses they have not already passed.

Entry into the Clinical programme is limited to 11 students per year and restricted to New Zealand/Australian citizens/residents. Entry is based on application, selection and interview. Applicants must meet the faculty entry requirements for BA or BSc (Hons), as well as school requirements. Students should consult the relevant faculty and The University of Auckland calendar for the regulations governing these qualifications.

Application forms are available online by the end of August of the year previous to study and the closing date for applications is 1 November. Up to 25 applicants are formally interviewed in mid November and from this group, up to 11 applicants will be selected for the programme.

Find the application forms for  Clinical Psychology on Application forms.

Please read this in conjunction with the Clinical information sheet which is also provided under Application forms.

Further information about Clinical Psychology can be obtained from:

Clinical Programme Administration
Sheryl Robertson
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 86852
Fax: +64 9 373 7902
Email: s.robertson@auckland.ac.nz

Clinical Programme Director
Professor Fred Seymour
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88414
Fax: +64 9 373 7902
Email: f.seymour@auckland.ac.nz