Graduate Diploma of Psychology

Course summary for current students

Contacts

Division of Student Administration (DSA)
Student Information Centre
Tel 1300 334 733
enquire@deakin.edu.au

Further information

Health - Student and Academic Services
Tel 03 9251 7777
health-enquire@deakin.edu.au

Key to campuses

B = Melbourne Burwood Campus
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus

Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Campus	Offered at Melbourne Burwood Campus, Geelong Waterfront Campus
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	021256B
Deakin course code	H650
Course structure applies to students who commenced in 2012 onwards. Students who commenced before 2012 should refer to the course structure in the 2011 online handbook.

Course overview

Following successful completion of an undergraduate degree in psychology or Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies, students may complete an approved ‘fourth year’ of study in psychology (either the Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology) in order to seek provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology offers you the opportunity to complete a combination of core units comprising both coursework and research.

You will also undertake a research project which develops your ability to critically evaluate theory and empirical studies; advanced skills in research design, implementation, analysis and reporting; as well as your understanding of professional responsibilities, standards of performance and ethical issues.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia and meet the requirements for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

In addition, it provides a basis for students wishing to apply to undertake higher degree studies in a more specialised field of applied psychology.

Registration as a Psychologist

The current requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study of psychology that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence followed by an approved fourth-year of study, such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology.

Following successful completion of an approved fourth-year of psychology study, you may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychology can lead directly to provisional registration provided the honours year is completed within this four-year course.

In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practice, or a minimum two years of further study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practice completed outside the degree).

Fees and charges

Unit fees can be viewed within individual unit descriptions. You can search for a unit using the Unit Search.

Please be aware:

Fees are calculated on a per unit basis
Fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen
Fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services

Course rules

The course comprises six units, totalling 8 credit points. The Research Project runs over two trimesters (units HPY720 and HPY721) and is worth 4 credit points. There are four trimester-long units, each worth 1 credit point: HPS715, HPS742, HPS743 and HPS744.

Attendance and presentation at the annual School Honours Conference and attendance at the weekly School Research Colloquia are hurdle requirements.