Program Overview

Graduate Diploma of Psychology

Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology provides fourth-year training for students who have completed an accredited three-year undergraduate psychology program, equipping them to pursue further postgraduate study, which can then qualify them for becoming a fully registered psychologist.

Fast Facts

• Location: JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Online
  • Townsville
• Commencing: The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Online: January, May
  • Townsville: January, May
• Fees: Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $16,992.00+ (estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load)
  • $32,167.00^ (estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load)
• Duration: The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 1 year full-time
• Entry Requirements: This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge.
  • Completion of an AQF Level 7 bachelor degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council approved three-year sequence in Psychology completed within the past 10 years; and a minimum program GPA of 5.0; or
  • Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council approved bridging degree that achieves foundational competencies within the past 10 years; and a minimum program GPA of 5.0; or
  • Other qualifications recognised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Academy as equivalent to the above.

Course Detail

What to Expect

Take the next step in your journey to becoming a registered Psychologist. This Graduate Diploma of Psychology provides fourth-year training for students who have completed an accredited three-year undergraduate psychology program, equipping you to pursue further postgraduate study, which can then qualify you for becoming a fully registered psychologist.

In this postgraduate psychology degree, you will study the methods and ethics of scientific investigations and evidence-based practice. You will systematically integrate and apply major theoretical perspectives and concepts, philosophical and historical developments, and an understanding of ethics and efficacy to the core areas of psychology and scientific research.

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology consists of six core subjects including a two-part, extensive group project; Ethics for Research and Professional and Evidence-Based Practice; Design and Analysis for Research; Operationalising the Scientific Practitioner Model; and Psychology: Now and the Future.

This JCU Psychology degree offers unique experiences. You will have access to JCU’s observation suites, where you’ll get to explore the workspace of a professional psychologist. You will get to engage and contribute to current research projects and attend annual seminars presented by national and international experts. In the two-part group project, you will devise and implement your own research project and communicate your findings to professional psychology experts.

JCU Psychology graduates are highly skilled and prepared for the future of science. Upon completion of this degree, you will be one step closer to becoming a fully registered psychologist.

Career Opportunities

JCU Psychology graduates are broadly-skilled and go on to study and work in various specialised health fields.

Graduates pursue careers in various areas including private practice and consulting firms, academic and applied research settings, human resources, advertising, research, sport, and education.

With further training, you could find employment as a clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist or occupational psychologist.

To become eligible for registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, you are required to complete a minimum 6-year sequence of education and supervised training. Visit the Psychology Board of Australia website for more information on registration requirements.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.