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I have almost completed bachelors in psychology from uk. I want purse masters degree in Australia in psychology related field. . I am confused what to choose and where to look for the information. how can I choose between the career options and find the best one for me?
additionally, I also would like to explore the options for mental health nurses
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3 answers
Updated
Praveen’s Answer
It’s great that you’re thinking about your next steps! If you're aiming for a psychology-related master’s in Australia, here’s a quick breakdown:
1. Master's in Psychology (Clinical or Organisational)
Focuses on becoming a registered psychologist.
Where to look: Universities like the University of Melbourne, UNSW, and the University of Sydney offer these programs.
Source: University of Melbourne
2. Master of Mental Health
Ideal for those wanting to focus on mental health care (not psychologist registration).
Where to look: Monash University and the University of Queensland have strong programs in mental health.
Source: Monash University
For Mental Health Nursing:
Consider becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) first, then specialize in Mental Health Nursing via postgraduate study.
Where to look: Australian universities like the University of Sydney offer postgraduate mental health nursing programs.
Source: University of Sydney
Tips for Choosing:
Career Focus: Do you want to work directly with patients (nursing) or in therapy/assessment (clinical psychology)?
Program Info: Visit each university’s website to check entry requirements, duration, and specializations.
1. Master's in Psychology (Clinical or Organisational)
Focuses on becoming a registered psychologist.
Where to look: Universities like the University of Melbourne, UNSW, and the University of Sydney offer these programs.
Source: University of Melbourne
2. Master of Mental Health
Ideal for those wanting to focus on mental health care (not psychologist registration).
Where to look: Monash University and the University of Queensland have strong programs in mental health.
Source: Monash University
For Mental Health Nursing:
Consider becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) first, then specialize in Mental Health Nursing via postgraduate study.
Where to look: Australian universities like the University of Sydney offer postgraduate mental health nursing programs.
Source: University of Sydney
Tips for Choosing:
Career Focus: Do you want to work directly with patients (nursing) or in therapy/assessment (clinical psychology)?
Program Info: Visit each university’s website to check entry requirements, duration, and specializations.
Updated
Rithika’s Answer
I’m finishing my psychology degree in the UK and want to study in Australia. I’m deciding between two paths:
🧠 Psychology (Master’s)
Choose from Clinical, Counselling, or Professional Psychology.
You need a 4-year psychology degree (including Honours or equivalent).
Leads to becoming a registered psychologist (takes more time).
🩺 Mental Health Nursing
You can study nursing and specialize in mental health.
Some programs accept students from non-nursing backgrounds.
Faster path to working in mental health settings (e.g., hospitals, clinics).
🔍 Where to find info:
CRICOS website – Find courses for international students.
University websites – Like University of Melbourne, Monash, Sydney, etc.
APAC – For psychology course approval.
NMBA – For nursing registration.
✅ How to choose:
Do you enjoy therapy and diagnosis? → Psychology
Prefer hands-on patient care? → Mental Health Nursing
Want to work sooner? → Nursing may be quicker
Willing to study longer? → Psychology is more in-depth
🧠 Psychology (Master’s)
Choose from Clinical, Counselling, or Professional Psychology.
You need a 4-year psychology degree (including Honours or equivalent).
Leads to becoming a registered psychologist (takes more time).
🩺 Mental Health Nursing
You can study nursing and specialize in mental health.
Some programs accept students from non-nursing backgrounds.
Faster path to working in mental health settings (e.g., hospitals, clinics).
🔍 Where to find info:
CRICOS website – Find courses for international students.
University websites – Like University of Melbourne, Monash, Sydney, etc.
APAC – For psychology course approval.
NMBA – For nursing registration.
✅ How to choose:
Do you enjoy therapy and diagnosis? → Psychology
Prefer hands-on patient care? → Mental Health Nursing
Want to work sooner? → Nursing may be quicker
Willing to study longer? → Psychology is more in-depth
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Choosing a graduate program can feel overwhelming. Combining self-reflection and research can help better understand your goals, expectations and career fit.
Here are some ways to dig into exploring your path and next steps more.
1. Complete a Self-reflection on your interests, values and strengths:
- Why am I drawn to psychology, especially mental health?
- What environment fits me— schools, hospitals, private practice, community?
Do I prefer working with individuals (therapy), groups, or organizations or focus on research, policy, or systems?
Am I comfortable handling sensitive, emotional situations?
Can I stay objective and manage my own emotions in challenging cases?
What are my long-term career goals, and which degree best supports them?
2. Research the disciples more and consider your self reflection as you do this.
Mental health-focused fields like Clinical and Counseling Psychology center on diagnosing, treating, and supporting individuals with emotional and psychological challenges. In contrast, other fields like Industrial-Organizational, Forensic, or Social Psychology apply psychological principles to workplaces, legal systems, or social dynamics, offering opportunities to impact organizations, policy, or research.
3. Explore job boards to see what roles exist, which sound exciting, and which align with your strengths and motivations.
4. Reach out to professionals in your fields of interest—on LinkedIn, through networking groups, or locally—and ask for 30 minutes to learn what they love and dislike about their work. Many are happy to share insights and advice.
5. Look for opportunities to volunteer or work in the field to gain a better understanding of the field and fit to you. (Help with events, Hotlines, local services organizations)
Here are some international resources:
International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP): https://iaapsy.org
British Psychological Society (BPS): https://www.bps.org.uk
Australian Psychological Society (APS): https://psychology.org.au
American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org
Reflect on your interests, values, and strengths: Ask yourself what excites you, what skills you enjoy using, and what motivates you.
Research fields and roles: Read University program information and industry websites to learn what different roles involve.
Explore job boards: Browse open positions to see what’s in demand, what qualifications are needed, and what sparks your interest.
Talk to professionals: Reach out on LinkedIn, alumni networks, or local organizations to set up informational interviews. Ask them what they do, what they enjoy, and what challenges they face.
Gain experience: Try internships, volunteering, part-time work, or shadowing opportunities to test different paths.
Here are some ways to dig into exploring your path and next steps more.
1. Complete a Self-reflection on your interests, values and strengths:
- Why am I drawn to psychology, especially mental health?
- What environment fits me— schools, hospitals, private practice, community?
Do I prefer working with individuals (therapy), groups, or organizations or focus on research, policy, or systems?
Am I comfortable handling sensitive, emotional situations?
Can I stay objective and manage my own emotions in challenging cases?
What are my long-term career goals, and which degree best supports them?
2. Research the disciples more and consider your self reflection as you do this.
Mental health-focused fields like Clinical and Counseling Psychology center on diagnosing, treating, and supporting individuals with emotional and psychological challenges. In contrast, other fields like Industrial-Organizational, Forensic, or Social Psychology apply psychological principles to workplaces, legal systems, or social dynamics, offering opportunities to impact organizations, policy, or research.
3. Explore job boards to see what roles exist, which sound exciting, and which align with your strengths and motivations.
4. Reach out to professionals in your fields of interest—on LinkedIn, through networking groups, or locally—and ask for 30 minutes to learn what they love and dislike about their work. Many are happy to share insights and advice.
5. Look for opportunities to volunteer or work in the field to gain a better understanding of the field and fit to you. (Help with events, Hotlines, local services organizations)
Here are some international resources:
International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP): https://iaapsy.org
British Psychological Society (BPS): https://www.bps.org.uk
Australian Psychological Society (APS): https://psychology.org.au
American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org
Martha recommends the following next steps: