Undergraduate
Our undergraduate program is available both on campus and online. You can choose to study face to face, online at our Cloud Campus or a mix of both.
Our undergraduate options
| Course | Duration | Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Psychological Science | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waurn Ponds Warrnambool Cloud |
| Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waurn Ponds Warrnambool* Cloud |
* The fourth year (Honours year) of study is only offered at Melbourne (Burwood), Geelong (Waterfront), and Cloud (Online).
Other undergraduate options
If you would like to couple your psychology studies with another area, you can still complete an accredited psychology major (allowing you to be eligible for an honours year/fourth year of study) through the following courses.
| Course | Duration | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waurn Ponds Cloud | |
| Bachelor of Health Sciences (Majors: Psychological Science or Psychology for Allied Health*) | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waurn Ponds Warrnambool Cloud | |
| Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science | 4 years full time |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waterfront Warrnambool | |
| Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waurn Ponds Cloud |
*The Psychology for Allied Health major sequence does not contain a sufficient number of credit points to be eligible for fourth year study.
Fourth-year study
If you complete an undergraduate degree in psychology, you can enrol in an approved 'fourth year' of study in psychology. This may be either honours in psychology (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Completion of a fourth year is required for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. The fourth year combines coursework and an in-depth research project with an academic advisor.
Our fourth-year options
| Course | Duration | CAMPUS |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent, although honours is just one year of the course |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waurn Ponds Warrnambool Cloud |
| Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waterfront Cloud |
| Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waterfront |
Postgraduate study
If you complete four years of psychology studies (i.e. an undergraduate degree and an honours year/fourth year of study), you can then apply to study at the postgraduate level.
Our postgraduate degrees equips graduates with the specialist knowledge and skills for the professional practice of psychology, and the core competencies required by the Psychology Board of Australia to register and practise as a generalist psychologist.
Our postgraduate options
| Course | Duration | CAMPUS |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Professional Psychology | 1 year full time or 2 years part time |
Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waterfront |
| Master of Psychology (Clinical) | 2 years | Melbourne Burwood Geelong Waterfront |
| Master of Psychology (Organisational) | 2 years full time or part time equivalent | Melbourne Burwood |
Study psychology at Deakin
Hear about psychology students' experiences of studying at Deakin, as well as the unique opportunities they've had to excel – through their honours degree, further study or research.
Provisional registration
To become a registered psychologist, you’ll need to undertake at least six years of full-time equivalent university study. You’ll first study an approved three-year undergraduate degree (or the undergraduate-equivalent Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science), plus an honours year/fourth year of study. You can then gain provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Next, you undertake a minimum of two years further study or study and training combined to be eligible for general registration as a psychologist. This study can be completed via a two year masters degree such as our Master of Psychology (Clinical) or Master of Psychology (Organisational), or a one year masters degree such as the Master of Professional Psychology, combined with specialised training.
You must be registered as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia to practise as a psychologist and to use the title of psychologist.
Postgraduate pathways to psychology practice
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) has been designed in consultation with our industry partners to help you develop the academic, practical, and research skills necessary to gain general registration as a psychologist. You can then complete further supervised training to gain an area of practice endorsement and be endorsed as a clinical psychologist. This degree is based on an integrative approach to clinical psychology that emphasises evidence-based practice.
Master of Psychology (Organisational)
Throughout Deakin's Master of Psychology (Organisational), you’ll acquire the academic, practical, and research skills necessary to gain general registration as a psychologist. You can then complete further supervised training to gain an area of practice endorsement and be endorsed as an organisational psychologist.
You can find employment either as a practising organisational psychologist, or as an employee in one of the many organisations and industries employing psychologists.
Master of Professional Psychology
The Master of Professional Psychology has been designed in consultation with our industry partners to help you develop the academic, practical, and research skills necessary to set you up for supervised practice on your way to general registration as a psychologist.
Deakin recognised the importance in providing opportunities and first-hand experiences within the health field, which is becoming increasingly important."
Dinisha Parmar
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Conduct research in psychology
You might find that your interest in psychology is research-based rather than clinical. In that case, consider a research PhD from Deakin.
Our staff and students are interested in a number of fascinating research areas, including:
- clinical psychology
- health psychology
- social and mental health
- adolescent health
- risk behaviours
- body image and disordered eating
- drugs and alcohol
- eye-witness testimony
- treatment of offenders
- human sexuality
- healthy ageing and depression among older people
- quality of life
- relationships
- human factors such as auditory and visual perception
- organisational psychology in healthcare settings.