Top 5 Tips for getting into a Masters of Clinical Psychology
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
Be mindful of how you behave with your cohort and academic staff during your Bachelor degree. You will need a good reference from one of your supervisors when you apply for a Masters program. Demonstrate professional and respectful communication from 1st year. This includes not badgering academics for better marks on your assignments, being polite in your email communication, and being kind and thoughtful towards your peers.
Create a detailed, week by week study plan and stick to it. Your first 3 years marks are important, a distinction average is needed for entry into 4th year Honours. Set yourself early due dates on your assignments and finish them early, give yourself a week to sit on them and review before hitting the final submit button. And give yourself a day off to celebrate being so organised.
Do extra training, volunteer work or peer work to increase your experience on your resume. Volunteering or working in roles at Headspace, Womens Shelters, or Lifeline Telephone Counselling are just a few examples of what you can do to show you have skills and experience to offer in the Masters programs.
Look up the AHPRA Code of Conduct and the Professional Competencies . Read the APS Evidence Based Therapies and start thinking and acting like a scientist practitioner. Do some self-work. Review your character strengths and values using tools such as VIA Character Strengths test . Know our values and biases and practice paying attention to when your biases get in the way of being a kind and thoughtful person. Psychologists need to put our own ideas and biases aside and practice professionally as per the Code and Competencies.
Be bold and believe in yourself. Put your head down, work hard, and don't listen to negativity. People will tell you its too hard, too competitive, that only X% make it and whats the point in trying. I am here to tell you that if you follow these strategies, you can and will make it.