Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

Qualification code:	90119
Qualification type:	Coursework
NQF level:	9
Total credits:	240
SAQA ID:	111251
Rules: 13 Course work modules, research proposal, mini-dissertation, and internship year. Students have to pass Group A modules with a minimum of 50% in year 1 before they can register for the Group B modules in year 2. In year 3, students must complete an internship year at an accredited internship placement. In order to obtain the degree in MA Clinical Psychology, students must pass year 1, year 2, year 3 at an accredited internship site (non-credit bearing module) and the research dissertation. Students have to successfully complete proposal module before they can register for the research dissertation. Students who are registered for the MA Clinical Psychology training should comply with the Health Professions Council of South Africa's (HPCSA) ethical code of conduct and professional standards.
Purpose statement: The primary purpose of this qualification is to offer a programme in which students are provided with knowledge (both theoretical and practical) as well as specific skills and competencies pertinent to the field of clinical psychology so that they may provide a service which is both ethical and therapeutic to the public at large (in South Africa and other countries) in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in clinical psychology in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity in this field is widened. A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society and who are empowered to play that role.

Who can register?

Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must please check their myLife e-mails for confirmation. New Unisa students will receive confirmation via the e-mail address they provided at the time of application.
Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2026.
Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2026.

When can I register?

Registration opens	Registration opens	Registration closes	Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications	7 January 2026	31 March 2026	31 March 2026
MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications * All GSBL students with a 7-series student number should contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership for assistance with re-registration: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl	7 January 2026	21 February 2026	21 February 2026

Click here for the master's & doctoral qualifications: exceptions.

Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.

Coursework master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
Research master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
Doctoral degree: A maximum of six years with an option to apply for one additional year.

Both you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:

Marine studies
Aviation and aeronautical studies
Automotive
Energy
Space study and square kilometre array
Fourth IR and digitalisation
Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)
Health studies/medicine
Feminist, womanist and Bosadi theorisations
Student support and co-curricular activities

If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Master's & doctoral degrees