What Is Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development.
Entry Requirements To Study Clinical Psychology In South Africa
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
| Qualification code: | 90119 |
| Qualification type: | Coursework |
| NQF level: | 9 |
| Total credits: | 240 |
| SAQA ID: | 111251 |
Admission requirements
Student fees and funding your studies
Application for admission
Registration
Curriculum
Admission requirements
A bachelor honours degree in Psychology or an accredited BPsych degree. Students who also hold an appropriate postgraduate diploma or a 480 credit bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF level 8 in psychology with an average of 60% can apply for admission into the programme.
A student who is admitted on the strength of a postgraduate diploma or a 480 credit bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF level 8 and who has not completed a module in research methodology may be required to complete such a module (HMPYC80) at NQF level 8 for non-degree purposes (NDP) before he/she will be allowed to register for the module in research of which the outcome is the research proposal. International students must meet the English language requirement.
Time limits for this degree
All master’s and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.12 and 4.13 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.
A student registered for a 180-credit structured coursework master’s degree must complete the study programme within three years. A student may make application to the Registrar for one additional year of study. The Registrar will consult with the Executive Dean of the College in which the student is registered.
Coursework master’s degree
A master’s degree by coursework requires a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual dependence, and a research project culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation of limited scope.
The curriculum generally comprises subjects where you are required to write examinations, and submit a research proposal module and a short dissertation. In most cases, you need to pass at least two modules before you may register for the research proposal module. You will only be able to register for the short dissertation if you comply with the requirements of the research proposal module.
Please note: Once you have passed all the modules, but fail the research proposal module, you will not be permitted to continue with the qualification.
Research focus areas
Click here to view a list of departments and research focus areas for the College of Human Sciences.
Research outline
Unisa’s admission policy has changed and you are now required to submit a detailed research outline for each master’s and doctoral qualification for which you apply. No application submitted without a detailed research outline will be considered. Although this research outline may differ for each qualification or academic department, the basic information required is as follows:
Title
Summary of topic
Short literature review
Expected contribution of the study
Methodology to be followed
Availability of the data
List of references
Reasons why you are interested in the topic
Plagiarism of any form is unacceptable. Please take note of Unisa’s Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism.
Student fees and funding your studies
Application fee
Pay the online application fee of R120,00 once you have received your Unisa student number.
Please note:
The application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa.
An application for a student number does not constitute an application for admission. After you receive your student number, you must still complete the online application for admission and upload the compulsory supporting documents.
Student fees
Click here for the 2021 student fee information. The fee information for the 2022 academic year will be available at the time of registration.
Students registering for qualifications through the Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) should visit the SBL website for fee information, as the SBL uses a different fee structure.
Click here for student funding.
Apply for a student number and apply for admission
Applications for admission to master’s & doctoral qualifications will be open from 8 September to 12 November 2021. Thereafter, only those qualifications with spaces available will remain open until the end of January 2022 (some exceptions apply).
Click here to apply for a student number and apply for admission.
Please ensure that you apply for a Unisa student number (if applicable), apply for admission and upload all the supporting documents during the application period.
You have 10 working days to upload all the supporting documents during the application period. If you do not comply with this requirement, your application will be declined and you will have to re-apply for admission during the next application period.
Registration
Only students whose application for admission was approved and re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) will be allowed to register online within the approved registration period for the 2022 academic year. No printed registration forms will be accepted.
Click here for registration information.
Schools Offering Clinical Psychology In South Africa
University of the Witwatersrand.
Clinical Psychology.
University of Port Elizabeth.
Clinical Psychology.
University of South Africa.
MA in Clinical Psychology.
Rhodes University.
Ph.
University of Cape Town.
Clinical Psychology.
What subjects are needed to become a clinical psychologist in South Africa?
A degree and postgraduate study in psychology are required to qualify as a clinical psychologist. Firstly, a bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology needs to be attained, followed by an Honours in Psychology. A National Senior Certificate that meets the requirements for a degree course is a prerequisite.
What subjects are needed for clinical psychology In South Africa ?
There are no specific subjects needed, but Life Science or Biology will come as an advantage because, psychology has a lot of focus on the human brain and sensory systems. If you have an NQF level 4 certificate with an Admissions Point Score (APS) of over 21+ points, you are likely to qualify for a psychology degree.
What qualifications do I need to be a clinical psychologist In South Africa ?
You will need a 3-year Taught Doctorate in Clinical Psychology to gain eligibility to be registered by the HPC (Health Professions Council) enabling you to become (and use the protected title) Clinical Psychologist, and to be eligible to be registered as a Chartered Psychologist (C Psychol) with the BPS.
How many years does it take to become a clinical psychologist in South Africa?
Five years full-time formal education in psychology, i.e. a three-year bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology or its equivalent, plus an honours degree in psychology, plus a directed master’s degree programme in psychology approved by the HPCSA.
How many years does it take to be a clinical psychologist In South Africa ?
To become a clinical psychologist, you will need an undergraduate degree (four to five years of college) plus a doctorate degree (four to seven years of graduate school). For this specialty area, most people will spend between eight to 12 years in higher education.
Is Clinical psychology in demand in South Africa?
In a violent country like South Africa, the dire shortage of psychologists in the public sector is a cause for major concern. Indeed, according to Health Systems Trust, the number of clinical psychologists in the South African public sector is just 2.75 per 100,000 people.
Can I become a clinical psychologist without a psychology degree In South Africa ?
How to Become a Therapist without a Psychology Degree
Complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Enroll in a psychology graduate program.
Gain work experience.
Take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.
Is it hard to become a clinical psychologist In South Africa ?
Being a clinical psychologist is a rewarding career. It is challenging and it’s hard work, but it’s a wonderful feeling to see people make improvements that make their lives happier and more manageable.
Does South Africa need more psychologists?
IN A violent country like South Africa, the dire shortage of psychologists in the public sector is not helping. The professor also said that there had been an increase in psychologists employed in public health facilities and some rural areas post-apartheid. .