Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)

If you are looking to build on the skills you’ve developed at the undergraduate level, the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) is an APAC-accredited course that deepens your understanding of human behaviour while preparing you for a successful career as a registered psychologist.Want to explore exciting new areas of psychology and take a big step towards full registration as a psychologist?

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) students must attain 8 credit points.

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) consists of two components: coursework and a thesis.

The coursework component (consisting of classes and seminars) contributes 50% to the final grade awarded. Part time students must complete the coursework component in the first year of their course. As required by the accreditation guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society, the coursework covers:

• research methods;
• issues in psychological assessment; and
• client-centred skills in practice

For further details of the coursework component, see the unit description for HPS715, HPS742, HPY710 and HPY712.

The thesis component (see HPY720 and HPY721) contributes 50% to the final grade of honours awarded. The thesis is a write-up of an individual research project based on an original piece of empirical research. A range of types of data (qualitative, quantitative, subjective, objective) and a range of data-collection settings and methodologies can be used as the basis of the thesis component.

The thesis is submitted in two parts:

• a 1500 word research proposal and oral presentation submitted mid-year and
• a 5000-word report on the empirical component submitted in October.

The literature review and empirical report section of the thesis typically contribute 30% and 70% respectively to the final mark for the thesis component. Part time students must complete the research component in the second year of their course.

Attendance and presentation at the annual School Fourth Year Conference is a hurdle requirement. Students enrolled in the CLOUD online mode have the option to attend or undertake an alternative assessment.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Entry requirements

Higher education experience

If you successfully completed your bachelor degree, your selection is based on the following.

Education

This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Prerequisites

Internal applicants:

• Bachelor Degree from Deakin University with an approved three-year major sequence in psychology with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units, or
• Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science or Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units.

External Applicants:

• Bachelor Degree (with an APAC accredited three-year major sequence in psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 75% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units, or
• A Foundation Level 1 APAC accredited Psychology course or equivalent (for example: a 3-year bridging course - Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 75% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units.

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.

Applicants who have not completed their course by application closing dates:

• Conditional offers may be granted to eligible students.
• Final assessment will occur when we receive your final results.
• You will be able to allocate your timetable from the day you receive your offer and CONFIRM and ENROL in the units.
• If you have a conditional offer, the content will be made available for you until full assessment occurs.

There is a quota on places in the Psychology Honours program and meeting the criteria does not guarantee acceptance into Psychology Honours. It is worth noting that the minimum mark average of Level 2 and Level 3 psychology core units (i.e. the mark 'cut-off') required for entry to Honours in recent years has been at or above 75%.

Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.

Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.