Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Are you interested in studying psychology, but have already completed a Bachelor degree in other subject areas?

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (GradDipPsych) provides an effective means of getting an accredited undergraduate major in psychology to satisfy personal interest, or in order to pursue subsequent studies in psychology at fourth year and beyond for academic or professional reasons.

With no former university units in psychology this degree involves 10 units that can be completed in a minimum of 1 year (if study commences in Trimester 3 and finishes in Trimester 2 of the following year).

If an applicant has already completed Introductory Psychology units in a previous degree then they only need undertake 8 post-introductory units;

which can be completed within two trimesters full-time.

Advanced standing on up to fifty percent (50%) of the units in this course is available.

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to provide an accredited major in psychology for students who have completed a bachelor degree or equivalent. Students who achieve the required grades will be eligible to apply for entry into fourth year programs in psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge of the core topics of psychology, including: biological bases of behaviour, cognition, information processing and language, individual differences, testing and assessment, learning, lifespan development, perception, social psychology, and the history and philosophy of psychology; describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists and demonstrate practical skills in psychological research design, data analysis, and report writing using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions; critically evaluate psychological literature, question claims that arise from untested assumptions, and recognise the link between theory and practical application of that theory in the world; demonstrate effective oral or written communication skills in various formats (eg debate, group discussion, presentation) to share or impart psychological knowledge; observe the principles of ethical behaviour in research and professional practice in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society's Code and Guidelines, as well as the Australian 'National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce'; and demonstrate cognitive, technical and communication skills for independent learning to sustain life-long personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will possess a body of knowledge in psychology through the study of the core units and have a welldeveloped understanding of the key principles, practices, and boundaries of the discipline. This knowledge will be taught in lectures, unit materials, and online activities, and will be assessed throughout the course with a range of different activities. Information provided within each unit embeds current global knowledge within the discipline of psychology. Communication Skills Graduates will have well developed communication skills which are taught, assessed, and practised through written assignments and face]to]face (or online equivalent) tutorial and laboratory sessions that are required in all psychology units. Problem Solving A number of psychology units include data collection in order to address an issue in the literature. The onus is then on the student to generate a research report providing a solution to that issue. Information Literacy Through the writing of essays, research reports, and other types of assignments, graduates will develop the skills with which to discover and process relevant information and to present it in a coherent fashion. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will be taught to understand and practise the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with the discipline. They will understand and be open]minded about social, cultural, and linguistic diversity in Australia and the world, and appreciate their ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community, and the environment. The issue of ethics is explicitly integrated during data collection and a range of other activities within psychology units. Lifelong Learning All psychology units within this course develop the student's skills in identifying and accessing information that is relevant to their needs, through both library and internet searches. This skill empowers graduates to continue accessing new information as required. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be encouraged to learn and work independently, and where appropriate, to work collaboratively. Graduates will have well developed group participation skills and the ability to work collaboratively achieved through on]campus and online interactive teaching strategies, where they will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful, and ethical manner.