Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

The learner should develop intellectual and practical skills regarding therapeutic, psychometric and diagnostic principles and methods.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the Learner is found to be competent the Learner may gain:

• Access,
• Advanced placement,
• Or recognition of Degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education.

Current competencies in the field of Community Psychology that have been acquired by prior learning in this field through related experience will be assessed. Such competencies may help gain access to the qualification or advanced placement in it. Recognition of status is dependent on continuance of studies at the Institution. The standard rules of access at the Institution apply.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology, NQF Level 8.

The learners should be able to

1. Demonstrate their ability at applying the theoretical principles of problem identification and solving in the field of Clinical Psychology correctly and reflect on the application made (problem solving skills).
2. Plan and exercise research in Clinical Psychology, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on Clinical Psychology issues correctly by utilizing the theoretical research principles and reflect on the research undertaken (research skills).
3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing with the different role players in the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflect on the application made (communication skills).
4. Accountably develop a theoretical and practical macro vision of the role of Clinical Psychology internationally, nationally, provincially/regionally and locally (development of macro vision).
5. Effectively and responsibly organise and co-ordinate resources and opportunities in the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application (including entrepreneurship, where relevant), as well as accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of Clinical Psychology (entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills).
6. Practise acceptable social sensitivity in the relationship with others and work effectively in a team by implementing the relevant theory and reflect on the implementation thereof (team ship).
7. Utilise appropriate technology (e.g. computer, e-mail, fax, psychometric tests) effectively in the Clinical Psychology environment (technological and environmental literacy).
8. Explore different effective learning strategies to acquire the different capabilities of a practitioner in the field of Clinical Psychology (explore learning strategies).
9. Promote responsible citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of Clinical Psychology related skills in the field of psychology (promoting citizenship).
10. Practise acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of different communities and the role players in the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflect on the application made (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity).
11. Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the field of Clinical Psychology by utilising the theoretical principles and reflect on the application thereof (employment seeking skills).

1. Demonstrate their ability to identify and solve problems in the field of Clinical Psychology correctly by applying the relevant theoretical principles and reflect on the application made? (Problem solving skills)
2. Are the learners able to plan and exercise research in the field of Clinical Psychology, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on psychology related issues correctly by utilising the relevant research principles and reflect on the research undertaken? (Research skills)
3. Can the learners communicate effectively orally and in writing (e.g. report writing) with the different role players in the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflect on the application made? (Communication skills)
4. Have the learner developed an accountable theoretical and practical macro vision of Clinical Psychology internationally, nationally, provincially/regionally and locally? (Development of macro vision)
5. Are the learners able to effectively and responsibly organise and co-ordinate resources and opportunities in the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application made (including entrepreneurship, where relevant), as well as acceptable responsibility for their own activities in the field of Clinical Psychology? (Entrepreneurship/responsibility skills)
6. Can the learners practise acceptable social sensitivity in the relationships with others and work effectively in a team by implementing the relevant theory and reflect on the implementation made? (Team ship)
7. Are the learners able to utilise appropriate technology (e.g. computer, e-mail, fax, psychometric tests) effectively in the Clinical Psychology environment? (Technological and environmental literacy)
8. Are the learners able to explore different effective learning strategies to acquire the different capabilities of a practitioner in the field of Clinical Psychology? (Explore learning strategies)
9. Are the learners able to promote responsible citizenship through their approach/attitude towards the holistic application of Clinical Psychology related skills? (Promoting citizenship)
10. Are the learners able to practise social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of different communities and the role players in the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the theoretical principles and reflect on the application made? (Cultural and aesthetic sensitivity)
11. Do the learners demonstrate the acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the field of Clinical Psychology by applying the theoretical principles of employment seeking skills and reflect on the application thereof? (Employment seeking skills)

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Various qualified psychologists and learners continuously assess learners are given feedback on their performance and progress. The learners are exposed to various practical contexts where they learn to apply their skills. They are also assessed using class tests, oral and written examinations. For the requirements of the qualification, they have to do independent research in their second year, and the results of the research are written up in a dissertation that is examined internally and externally.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Learners are exposed to four examinations, i.e.

• Psychopathology and psycho-diagnostics that is a written examination at the end of the first year;
• Psychotherapy: Basic principles that is a written examination at the end of the first year;
• Psychotherapy: Advanced techniques, which is oral examination at the end of the first year;
• Integration of theory and practice, which is an oral examination at the end of the second year.