Master of Clinical Mental Health & Psychotherapy
Overview
The Master of Clinical Mental Health and Psychotherapy is a full time, 18-month postgraduate programme that prepares students to work as reflective and competent mental health counsellors in clinical and community settings.
Students develop a strong grounding in mental health conditions, counselling and psychotherapy, and learn to integrate theory with practice through supervised placements. The programme also builds skills in case and care coordination, interprofessional collaboration, service planning and programme evaluation, preparing graduates to take on leadership roles in the mental health sector.
Supported by training in research methods, graduates will be equipped to deliver person-centred care, contribute to evidence-informed practice, and support the design and improvement of mental health services in Singapore and the region.
The MCMHP provides students:
Training aligned with the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023
Three curriculum pillars in psychiatry, counselling and psychotherapy, and public health
Modules taught by subject matter experts from Singapore and overseas
Supervised clinical placements at partner sites sourced and coordinated by the programme
Intake:
August 2026
Duration:
Full-time 18 months
Application Start Date:
1 December 2025
Application Deadline:
8 March 2026
Application Interview:
6—24 April 2026
Application Outcome:
May 2026
Who is this for?
This programme is ideal for individuals with a strong interest in supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties, who hold a relevant undergraduate degree (e.g., psychology, social work, nursing, or allied health), and who have some experience working with clients in health, social service, or community settings. It is well suited for those motivated to deepen their clinical counselling skills.
Career Prospects as Mental Health Counsellors
This programme opens pathways to rewarding careers as mental health counsellors in hospitals, community organisations, schools, and private clinics. As Singapore’s need for qualified mental health professionals continues to grow, graduates will be well positioned for impactful roles.
Clinical Placements
Students will undertake two blocks of clinical placements at sites sourced by the programme. These placements may take place in hospitals, social service agencies, schools, or private clinics. Students may also propose their own placement sites, subject to programme approval.
Curriculum
Lectures will be delivered in a mix of in-person and online formats.
Graduation Requirements
Total Units Requirement: 50 Units
How to Apply
The University does not engage external agencies for student recruitment. Candidates should apply directly to the University and not through any agents. Applications submitted through agents will not receive any added advantage and the University reserves the right to reject such application without explanation.
Only online applications are accepted.
Before submmitting your application:
1. Download and read the Applicant Guide to the Graduate Admission System (GDA).
2. Review the Checklist for Applicants. Please upload the relevant supporting documents according to the checklist when submitting your online application.
Application Requirements
To be eligible for enrolment, applicants must meet the following requirements. However, please note that selection of candidates is based on a competitive basis and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the programme.
Minimum Requirement
Hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least an Honours or its equivalent (High grade Pass degree) in Psychology, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Allied Health, Social Work.
Have 1 to 2 years of experience providing direct care to persons with mental health issues.
NOTE: Due to the rigorous nature of the Master’s programme, students with relevant experience will be given priority in the selection process. Applicants without relevant experience are strongly encouraged to gain 1–2 years of experience working with clients with mental health conditions before applying for the MCMHP.
Referee
Provide two professional referee reports on their character and professional competency are required to complete the application. The referees can be their academic mentors, current employers or previous employers.
Interview
Shortlisted applicants will attend an interview, which may include a short role-play component.
NOTE: Selected candidates are required to attend their interviews as follows:
- Local candidates: In-person interviews
- International candidates: Online interviews
Failure to attend the scheduled interview will result in the interview offer being withdrawn.
For International Applicants
Applicable for all international applicants EXCEPT those whose undergraduate/graduate degrees are from Singapore autonomous universities or English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Applicants from other institutions may submit documentary proof that their degrees were taught entirely in English.
- IELTS: A minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in both Listening and Speaking components.
OR
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum total score of 94, with at least 24 in Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections.
- Pass any preparatory modules as indicated by the core programme staff on a case-by-case basis.
NOTE: All IELTS / TOEFL tests must have been taken not earlier than 2 years before the proposed date of admission.
Tuition Fees
Total Tuition Fees
S$69,500 (incl. 9% GST)
For students enrolled in the Academic Year 2026/2027 only
The payment schedule is as follows:
Year 1 Semester 1: S$21,500
Year 1 Semester 2: S$21,500
Year 2 Semester 1: S$21,500
NOTE: Tuition fees are subjected to annual review and inflation.
Application Fee
S$54.50 (incl. 9% GST)
Application fee for successful submission is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Acceptance Fee
S$5000 (incl. 9% GST)
NOTE: Upon acceptance of offer, an acceptance fee of S$5000.00 (including GST) will be charged on the Graduate Admission System (GDA). Acceptance fees is non-refundable, non-transferable and will be credited towards the tuition fee once the programme starts.
Tuition fee stated above covers the whole duration of the programme.
This is a self-funded programme. Students can apply directly to the sponsoring organisations for various scholarships.
Additional Fees:
In addition to tuition fees, students will be charged miscellaneous student fees each semester.
Miscellaneous student fees help meet costs incurred by the University in providing services to the student community that are either not covered or only partially covered by the tuition fees. These services include healthcare for students; facilitating student cultural, social and recreational programmes; and maintaining the shuttle bus service, IT network and other essential campus infrastructure and services.
For more information, please visit the Office of the University Registrar website.
Scholarships
The Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre (YBK MSC) offers full and partial scholarships to outstanding students.
Scholarships are merit-based and highly competitive. To be considered, please indicate your interest in your application form. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit additional documents. Learn more about scholarships.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must be enrolled in the MCMHP programme
- Must demonstrate a strong passion for helping those in need
- Possess strong leadership qualities along with good character and conduct
- Be passionate about and dedicated to serving the community
- Have strong academic results and good co-curricular activity records
- Currently not receiving any other scholarships or sponsorships
- Demonstrate a commitment to serve in any of the social service, mental healthcare, or education public sectors for 2 years upon graduation
Programme Directors
A/Prof Kenneth Ban
Education Lead
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine PhD, USA | MBBS, Singapore | BSc (Hons), Singapore
Dr Pearlene Ng
Programme Director
D.Clin.Psy, UK | B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.), Singapore
Dr Rathi Madendran
Deputy Programme Director
MMed (Psych), Singapore | MMEd, Dundee | MBBS, Singapore | FAMS (Psych)
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the rigorous nature of the Master’s programme, applicants with relevant experience will be given priority in the selection process. If you do not yet have relevant experience, you are strongly encouraged to gain about one to two years of experience working with clients with mental health conditions before applying for the MCMHP.
The selection process usually involves three stages:
- All applications are reviewed to ensure that the minimum admission requirements are met.
- Shortlisted applicants based in Singapore will be invited for an interview in person, while shortlisted overseas applicants will attend an interview online.
- Applicants will then be informed of the outcome by an offer or rejection letter or email.
At present, the master’s programme only admits full-time students.
Our course is not eligible for SkillsFuture funding. However, Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above can use their SkillsFuture Credit to offset our master’s course fees. Visit the SkillsFuture Credit website for more information.
Clinical placement sites are assigned by the programme. However, students who wish to source their own placement sites may do so, subject to approval by the programme during the first semester.
No, there are no additional fees for supervision. All supervision costs are already included in the programme fees.
For information on scholarship option, please refer to our scholarship page.
The MCMHP is designed to train graduates to work primarily as mental health counsellors who provide counselling and psychotherapy for clients with mental health conditions, often within multidisciplinary healthcare and community settings.
No. MCMHP graduates will not be recognised as psychologists, as the programme is not designed as a professional psychology training route. Applicants who are specifically seeking a pathway towards practising as a psychologist should instead explore professional psychology training programmes.
Students need to pass all the courses in the programme. Assessment methods include a variety of approaches such as written examinations, assignments, clinical placement evaluations and case study reports.
If you are unable to find the answer to your query in the list of FAQs, you can email us at msc_edu@nus.edu.sg and we will reply to you within 3 working days.