General Information

Overview

This course is designed to provide graduates from another discipline an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in psychology. The program provides advanced knowledge and skills in Psychology, while providing the foundation training required by the professional accreditation body, APAC. This qualification is a step in the pathway to professional registration as a psychologist, and will cater to individuals who may be considering a new career as a psychologist (e.g., clinical, organisational or educational psychology). Offering this course fully online provides further flexibility for employed students who may not be able to attend on campus classes.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology requires students to complete units of study to the value of 125 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70010
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70011
Fundamentals of Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70012
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		STA70006
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		STA70007
Social Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70013
Cognition and Human Performance
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70014
Developmental Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70015
Psychology of Personality
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70016
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70017
Mental Health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70018
Psychology Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		PSY70019

Aims and objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Systematically review, critically evaluate, consolidate, and synthesise research from a variety of sources to develop advanced psychological knowledge
  • Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose, and demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in psychology
  • Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information to generate creative solutions to solve complex applied and theoretical problems in psychology
  • Define, evaluate, and integrate theoretical principles; responsibly and independently apply these in a range of general and professional contexts relevant to psychology
  • Apply knowledge and specialised skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
  • Interpret and communicate complex ideas, problems and arguments in a professional manner to a range of audiences using a range of media
  • Coherently articulate lines of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and professional accountability, and apply frameworks to analyse situations and offer practical solutions to ethical problems in local and international contexts

Career opportunities

The Graduate Diploma gives successful students the opportunity to engage in further psychological studies leading to a career in professional psychology or psychological research.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is a step on the path to becoming a registered psychologist.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology is 62.5 credit points (normally five units)

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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