Fast Facts
Location
Available to Australian students for inter-campus study in Singapore. Conditions apply.
Commencing
- Online: February
- Townsville: February
Fees
$15,142.00+
$29,600.00^
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load
^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.
Duration
1 year full-time
or part-time equivalent
Entry Requirements
AQF level 7 bachelor degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council-approved three-year sequence in psychology with a credit average in all level 2 and 3 psychology subjects; or equivalent
Course Code
15707
Course detail
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.
View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.
If you are interested in studying psychology and have an undergraduate degree in a different field, JCU's online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is designed to introduce you to the study of psychology and help you prepare to progress into further study. Find out more about the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging).
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.
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.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2024 |
Course code | 15707 |
Course type | Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8) |
Professional accreditation status | This course is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Graduates of this course who wish to become fully registered as psychologists must complete an accredited Masters degree (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology, with one further year of supervised practice or a Master of Psychology [Clinical]). Please refer to the Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website for more information. |
Owner | Academy |
College | Healthcare Sciences |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | 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 Division of Tropical Health and Medicine as equivalent to the above. Special note: Applicants for the 2022 or 2023 intakes that have completed a JCU AQF Level 7 bachelor degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council approved three-year sequence in psychology within the past 10 years, and that do not meet the above–stated entry requirement, may be assessed as a transitional arrangement under the previous entry requirement of a credit average in all level 2 and 3 psychology subjects taken as part of that degree. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Additional selection requirements | Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 24 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology, graduates will be able to:
|
Inherent 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 visit: Postgraduate Psychology. |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
PY4106:06 Group Project Part 1 of 2
PY4107:06 Group Project Part 2 of 2
PY4112:03 Ethics and Evidence-Based Practice
PY4113:03 Design and Analysis for Professional Psychology
PY4114:03 Assessment in Psychology
PY4115:03 Psychology: Now and the Future
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Singapore | |
JCU Townsville | |
External |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
Maximum time to complete | 3 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 year |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | No |
Special assessment requirements | Students may be required to undertake such tests and interviews as are considered necessary to assess their suitability to work in the helping professions. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Graduates of this course who wish to become fully registered as psychologists must complete an accredited Masters degree (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology, with one further year of supervised practice or a Master of Psychology [Clinical]). Please refer to the Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website for more information. |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | 6 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 13 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Nil |
Award Details
Award title | GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF PSYCHOLOGY |
Abbreviated title | GDipPsych |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD15,142.00
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD29,600.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.
Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
Closing dates for applications: 31 October
Real stories
-
Student
Jessica Thomasson
Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Studying the Graduate Diploma of Psychology at JCU has provided me with the opportunity to advance toward a career in psychology, while affording me the flexibility I needed as a mother of a very active toddler.
-
Dean
Dr Kerry McBain
College of Healthcare Sciences
Having an understanding of human behaviour - what motivates people, how they perceive the world, and why they make the decisions they do - is invaluable knowledge in business. The joint degree gives students a solid grounding in both the principles of business and of human behaviour.
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Employer
Ann Nicholls
Manager Offender Development, Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Custodial Operations
It is great having JCU graduates on staff. The JCU school of Psychology clearly has experienced and knowledgeable lecturers, tutors and staff. The graduates bring a solid knowledge base, enthusiasm and energy to grow and build on their study, plus a genuine care to support the team around them.