The Master in Clinical Psychology is a professionally oriented postgraduate programme jointly offered by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). This This programme is designed to train future clinical psychologists who are knowledgeable, skilled, and able to work effectively with different groups of people. Graduates of this programme will be able to:
- Understand and use advanced psychological knowledge to help people in various settings while practising ethically and professionally.
- Apply practical clinical skills and leadership abilities to contribute responsibly in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community organisations.
- Use digital tools and data confidently in both research and clinical work.
- Communicate well and work effectively with others, showing creativity, empathy, and the ability to support people from different backgrounds.
- Continue learning throughout their careers, staying updated with new practices and developments in the field.
Application period: 1 March - 31 May
Expertise available in the following School:
School of Medical Sciences
https://medic.usm.my/
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
To ensure a high standard of candidates, applicants must meet the following:
- Academic: A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minimum CGPA of 2.75.
- Note: Non-psychology degree holders may apply if they have completed 30–45 credit hours of psychology prerequisites (certain conditions apply).
- English Proficiency: Required for all applicants (e.g., IELTS Band 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, or MUET Band 4.5).
- Selection Process: Shortlisted candidates must pass an interview typically held in August.
**Candidates who qualify for admissions will be invited to attend pre-entry interviews to complete the application process.
Programme Structure & Timeline
The curriculum consists of 64 total credits, divided into Core Courses (37), Practicum (15), and a Research Project (12).
|
Feature |
Full-Time |
Part-Time |
|
Minimum Duration |
2 Years (4 Semesters) |
3 Years (6 Semesters) |
|
Maximum Duration |
4 Years (8 Semesters) |
5 Years (10 Semesters) |
List of Courses
a) Core Courses (37 Credits)
These courses provide the theoretical and foundational knowledge required for clinical practice:
- Psychological Intervention 1 (GPC501/KSH60103)
- Functional Neuroanatomy (GCN502/KSN60102)
- Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis (GPC514/KSY60204)
- Statistics for Psychology (GPC515/KSM60202)
- Research Methodology (GPC516/KSM60303)
- Ethics, Cross-Culture and Professional Issues (GPC517/KSG60103)
- Adult Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment (GPC518/KSA60303)
- Psychological Intervention 2 (GPC503/KSH60203)
- Child Psychological Assessment (GPC504/KSA60103)
- Child Psychopathology and Diagnosis (GPC519/KSY60304)
- Psychological Testing and Assessment (GPC520/KSM60402)
- Psychopharmacology (GPC521/KSY60202)
- Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Psychology (GPC522/KSH60303)
b) Clinical Practicum (15 Credits)
Hands-on training is conducted across three placement phases to develop professional competence:
- Clinical Placement 1 (GPC523/KST60103) – 3 Credits
- Clinical Placement 2 (GPC525/KST60206) – 6 Credits
- Clinical Placement 3 (GPC527/KST60306) – 6 Credits
c) Research Projects (12 Credits)
Students must complete a two-part research sequence to fulfill the scientist-practitioner model:
- Psychology Research Project 1 (GPC524/KSR60106) – 6 Credits
- Psychology Research Project 2 (GPC526/KSR60206) – 6 Credits
Clinical Training & Research
The programme emphasizes the Scientist-Practitioner model.
- Clinical Placements: Students complete three placements (over 1,200 total hours for Placements 2 and 3) at approved sites such as Hospital Pakar USM and UPSI’s Intervention and Therapy Centre (INTACT).
- Research: Students must design, conduct, and submit a thesis based on a scientifically sound clinical psychology research project.
application
- Intake: Once a year in October.
- Application Window: Online applications usually open in March and close in May.
- Total Tuition Fees: RM 38,500 for local students and USD 38,500 for international students.
Important "Must-Knows" for Students:
Graduation Standards: Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00. Importantly, any grade of C+ or below is considered a fail in this programme.
FEES
| Malaysian (MYR) | International (USD) |
|
|
** Fees are subject to change
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this degree recognized by both universities?
A: Yes. The Master in Clinical Psychology is a joint programme, and degrees are jointly awarded by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
Q: Where will my classes and clinical placements be held?
A: Learning occurs across multiple locations:
- Classes (first year): USM@KL (Kuala Lumpur)
- Clinical Sites (second year): Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM), UPSI's Intervention and Therapy Centre (INTACT), and other approved locations.
Q: Can I study this programme while working?
A: Yes, a part-time option is available with a duration of 3 to 5 years with a very limited space. However, students must register as a full-time student when comes to Clinical Placement to fulfill heavy clinical placement hours (over 1,200 hours in total for Placements 2 and 3). This will happen in year 2 for full-time and year 3 for part-time students.
Q: What is the minimum CGPA required for entry?
A: Generally, a minimum CGPA of 2.75 in a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is required. Selected candidates will be invited to the interview.
Q: I don't have a Psychology degree. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, provided you have a Bachelor’s degree in another field and have completed a specific amount of psychology prerequisite modules (30 to 45 credit hours) with a minimum CGPA of 2.75.
Q: When should I apply?
A: The programme has one intake per year in October. Online applications typically open in March and close in May.
Q: What are the graduation requirements?
A: To graduate, you must:
- Pass all core courses, the research project, and clinical placements.
- Maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00.
- Complete the programme within the maximum allowed candidacy period.
Q: What happens if I get a 'C' grade in a course?
A: In this programme, any grade of C+ or below is considered a FAIL. You must achieve at least a B- (2.67) to pass a course.
Q: How much are the tuition fees?
A: The total tuition fee for the duration of the programme is RM 38,500 for local students and USD 38,500 for international students. This does not include registration and convocation fees.
Timetable Semester 2 2025/2026
TIMETABLE SEMESTER 1 2025/2026
TIMETABLE SEMESTER 2 2024/2025
Timetable Semester 1 2024/2025
Timetable Semester 2 2023/202458th Convocation Ceremony - Master of Psychology (Clinical)
