Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Course summary for local students
"The fantastic thing about my course was that it exposed me to a wide variety of counselling strategies that I was able to utilise in my workplace and in various professional positions since."
Student Information Centre
Tel 1300 334 733
enquire@deakin.edu.au
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 |
| Length | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Next available intake | March (Trimester 1) |
| Indicative annual fee 2013 | $21,400* - Full-fee paying place |
| Level | Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma) |
| Faculty contacts | Health - Student and Academic Services Tel 03 9251 7777 health-enquire@deakin.edu.au |
| 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 sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Entry requirements - general
- Entry requirements - specific
- Credit for prior learning - general
- Credit for prior learning - specific
- How to apply
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 (PBA) 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 (PBA) 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.
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
This is a fee-paying course. Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance in paying these tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP go to http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/fees/
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2013, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2013 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
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.
Course structure
Trimester 1
| HPS742 | Research Methods in Psychology C |
| HPS743 | Professional and Conceptual Issues in Psychology |
| HPY720 | Research Project A |
Trimester 2
| HPS715 | Issues in Psychological Assessment |
| HPS744 | Counselling and Interpersonal Skills |
| HPY721 | Research Project B |
Part time students wising to deviate from the recommended structure should consult the course coordinator.
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 (PBA). 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 (PBA) 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).
Entry requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Entry requirements - specific
Applications are invited from graduates holding a degree with an approved three-year sequence in psychology or Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies. For applicants commencing in 2013 or 2014, applicants must have completed an extended major in psychology at Deakin University (or equivalent), which consists of a minimum of 10 credit points of psychology (out of the 24 credit points required for an undergraduate degree): two at level 1, four at level 2, and four at level 3. The extended major must include the level 2 and 3 research methods units offered by the School of Psychology or equivalent, and HPS309.
For applicants commencing in 2015 onwards, applicants must have completed an extended major in psychology at Deakin University (or equivalent) which consists of two at level 1, five at level 2 and three at level 3. The extended major must include the level 2 and 3 research methods units offered by the School of Psychology or equivalent.
To be eligible to apply for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology, students must have a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B or equivalent unit, and a minimum of a credit average across the best three other third level psychology (HPS coded) units.
Applicants with relevant additional prior qualifications and experience are invited to include this information along with their application
Please refer to the Faculty of Health section of the Future Students website and download appropriate forms for your course.
Credit for prior learning - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Credit for prior learning - specific
Students who have completed components of another APAC-accredited fourth year program may apply for credit for prior learning for up to four credit points. Credit for prior learning can only be granted for units that are determined by the unit chair and course chair to be equivalent to a unit in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology in content and assessment requirements. Credit for prior learning cannot be granted for studies completed as part of courses that are not APAC-accredited.How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. Details of available courses and application closing dates can be found on the Apply webpage. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Your course may require further information in support of your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
