Graduate Diploma: Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Graduate Diploma of Psychology HECS-based or full-fee paying?
- What are the entry requirements and how do I apply?
- What marks are needed to get into the program?
- How many places are offered?
- On which campus/es is the course offered?
- When will I hear about my application into the Graduate Diploma of Psychology?
- Can the course be studied part-time?
- Are the classes at night?
- How is the Graduate Diploma different from Honours?
- Do you need to have previous work experience?
- Is the course recognised by the Australian Psychological Society and the Psychology Board of Australia?
- Can I go on to further studies in psychology?
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Is the Graduate Diploma of Psychology HECS/HELP-based or full-fee paying?
The Graduate Diploma is a full-fee paying course. Please visit the fees website for further information about fees and FEE-HELP for this course.
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What are the entry requirements and how do I apply?
Entry requires an APS-accredited undergraduate degree with the equivalent of at least 10 Deakin credit points in psychology. To apply, go to the online applicant portal at click here and follow the prompts.
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What marks are needed to get into the program?
In past years, successful applicants have obtained at least a mid-credit level (65%) in the Level 3 research methods unit, and at least a 70% average across the best three Level 3 psychology units attempted, excluding the Level 3 research methods unit. The cut-off is determined each year, depending in the cohort of applicants. More information relating to Graduate Diploma of Psychology applications is available here.
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How many places are offered?
Approximately 100 each year.
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On which campus/es is the course offered?
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology coursework units and supervision can be studied on both the Melbourne Campus at Burwood and the Geelong Waterfront Campus. It is not offered in off-campus mode.
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When will I hear the result of my application into the Graduate Diploma?
First-round offers are generally made in mid-late January. Second-round offers may extend into February until places are filled.
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Can the course be studied part-time?
Yes, it can be completed on both a part-time and full-time basis.
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Are the classes at night?
No, all classes are offered in the daytime (although some may extend into the early evening).
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How is the Graduate Diploma in Psychology different from Honours?
Apart from the fee-basis (Honours is HECS/HELP-based, Graduate Diploma is full-fee-paying), the Graduate Diploma is a little more practical in orientation. Both Honours and the Graduate Diploma include Ethics and Conceptual Issues, Counselling and Interpersonal Skills, Psychological Assessment, and Research Methods. Both courses are APS-accredited, and both allow graduates to seek registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a probationary psychologist. Themajor difference is in the research component. For the research component, Honours students complete an individual thesis under one-to-one supervision, whereas Graduate Diploma students complete their theses in small groups under a supervisor. Graduate Diploma students are allocated to thesis projects, on the basis of their stated preferences, from a range of project areas that vary from year to year. Under the guidance of the supervisor, they generate their own hypotheses that fit under the umbrella project. Data collection is shared by the group, and students analyse the subset of the overall data in which is relevant to their own research question, and write up their theses individually.
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Do you need to have previous work experience?
No, but you are required to submit a personal statement in your application in which you may outline your interest in the course, and any other relevant information such as work experience or voluntary work. This may be considered in the selection process.
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Is the course recognised by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Psychology Board of Australia?
Yes, both bodies recognise the Graduate Diploma. Thus, at present, upon completion of the course, students may apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Registration Board. After the completion of two years of approved supervised practice or postgraduate studies, the provisional registration may be changed to full registration. Information about any updates to these requirements is available on the Psychology Board of Australia website.
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Can I go on to further studies in psychology?
The Graduate Diploma is acceptable as a fourth year for the purposes of applying for the professional programmes offered by Deakin (Master of Psychology [Industrial & Organisational], Master of Psychology [Clinical], Doctorate of Forensic, Health or Clinical Psychology). We understand that it is also acceptable for the purposes of applying for similar programmes at other universities, but prospective students should confirm this with each university to which they are likely to apply after completing the Graduate Diploma. A student completing the Graduate Diploma in Psychology with at least Distinctions in Research Methods and their thesis, could also apply for entry into a Higher Degree by Research. However, a more usual route to these programs is via Honours.
