How do I become a Psychologist?

Psychology is the science concerned with understanding people's behaviour and their mental processes. It is interested in broad areas of study including:

information processing;
the development of mental processes and behaviour from infancy through to old age;
the influences of other people on the behaviour of the individual; and
the factors which lead people to differ in the way they think and behave.

Students intending to become psychologists must undertake four years of academic study (three years of undergraduate study, plus either a Level-4 Honours year or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology). This is followed by either two years of supervised practice as a probationary psychologist, or postgraduate studies.

For information about the path available on each campus to becoming a psychologist, please select from:
Pathways in Psychology - Geelong/Warrnambool (pdf, 48k) or
Pathways in Psychology - Melbourne (pdf, 49k).

Professional Recognition

Registration as a psychologist with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria (PRBV) currently requires four years of academic study (three years of undergraduate study plus either a Level-4 Honours year or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology, followed by two years of supervised practice); however this is currently under review.

To become a full member of the Australian Psychological Society Ltd (APS) requires six years of academic study. To become an associate member requires a four-year sequence of academic study.

Deakin's Psychology sequence is recognised by both the PRBV and the APS.