A central requirement of the Master of Clinical Psychology is the completion of an appropriate empirical research project, supervised by a staff member in the Research School of Psychology (or affiliated Schools, Departments, and Institutes). In this course, students will produce a clinical research project, with demonstrable clinical relevance, for the Master of Clinical Psychology degree.
Research projects must have an empirical element and can take the form of one or more of the following:
- a program evaluation study;
- a study based on an experimental single-case-study;
- a critical review and meta-analysis;
- a critical review and secondary data analysis;
- a traditional empirical research project.
To enrol and successfully complete this course, students must have negotiated appropriate supervisory arrangements in an appropriate area of research.
Please note that if students have, as their primary supervisor, an academic staff whose primary appointment is outside of the Research School of Psychology, they must also secure an Advisor who is an academic staff whose primary appointment is within the Research School of Psychology.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Plan and execute a substantive clinical research project, drawing on relevant theory and previous research
- Demonstrate sufficient research mastery to investigate the question critically and ethically, using appropriate research methods
- Analyse and interpret the findings using statistics or other evaluative processes
- Communicate the research and its findings clearly and appropriately in the form of a written report and as an oral presentation
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
Students may engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a component of the course
Other Information
Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology
Indicative Assessment
- Research Proposal and Presentation (CRS - hurdle requirement) (0) [LO 1,4]
- Research Project Report (Minimum 5000 words), written and formatted as a to-be-submitted scientific journal article (100) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
PSYC8301 must be taken in four consecutive semesters encompassing a single project. Students will enrol in 6 units per semester or session, which will require a commitment of approximately 10-13 hours per week.
Inherent Requirements
In this course, students conduct a psychology research project. Each student will be supervised by an academic who will guide them through the project and support them to develop the required knowledge and skills. Learning in this format requires students to:
- Work professionally with supervisors, colleagues and fellow students, take proactive steps to resolve difficult situations and learn effectively from supervisor feedback.
Students who are unable to meet this requirement will struggle to complete the project successfully and as a result, be unable to complete their degree.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None
Preliminary Reading
As assigned by the student's research supervisor.
Assumed Knowledge
It is assumed that students will have completed a four-year program in Psychology that has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. As part of that degree, students will have taken courses in research methods, statistics, and academic writing.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $7080 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3596 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8599 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |