Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)

at Deakin University

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) students must attain 8 credit points.

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) consists of two components: coursework and a thesis.

The coursework component (consisting of classes and seminars) contributes 50% to the final grade awarded. Part time students must complete the coursework component in the first year of their course. As required by the accreditation guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society, the coursework covers:
 

• research methods;
• issues in psychological assessment; and
• Applied Counselling Skills (Advanced)

For further details of the coursework component, see the unit description for HPS715, HPS742, HPY710 and HPY712.

The thesis component (see HPY720 and HPY721) contributes 50% to the final grade of honours awarded. The thesis is a write-up of an individual research project based on an original piece of empirical research. A range of types of data (qualitative, quantitative, subjective, objective) and a range of data-collection settings and methodologies can be used as the basis of the thesis component. The Fourth Year Thesis consists of four components:

Research Project A in Trimester 1
 

1. Thesis literature review draft (1500-2000 words; 0% hurdle assessment)
2. Thesis proposal presentation (10-minute oral presentation; 0% hurdle assessment)

Research Project B in Trimester 2
 

1. Thesis poster (A0 research poster; 0% hurdle assessment)
2. Thesis (5500-6000 words; 4 credit points; 100%).

Students are encouraged to attend at the annual School Fourth Year Conference online.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Core units

Trimester 1
 

• Academic Integrity (0 credit points)
• Psychological Assessment
• Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• Research Project A

Trimester 2
 

• Applied Counselling Skills (Advanced)
• Psychology Research Methods (Advanced)
• Research Project B

If you successfully completed your bachelor degree, your selection is based on the following.
 

• Bachelor degree (with an APAC accredited three- year major sequence in psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level-three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units,
  
  or
   

• A Foundation Level 1 APAC accredited Psychology course or equivalent (for example: a 3 year bridging course – Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level-three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units.

Applicants who have not completed their course by application closing dates:
 

• Conditional offers may be granted to eligible students.
• Final assessment will occur when we receive your final results.
• You will be able to allocate your timetable from the day you receive your offer and CONFIRM and ENROL in the units.
• If you have a conditional offer, the content will be made available for you until full assessment occurs. 

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$36,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course in the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.

This course is a pathway towards APAC-accredited master and doctoral-level courses that lead to registration as a psychologist. Areas of practice endorsement in psychology include:
 

• clinical psychology (available at Deakin)
• clinical neuropsychology
• organisational psychology (available at Deakin)
• sport and exercise psychology
• forensic psychology
• counselling psychology
• community psychology

Working as a generalist psychologist might involve:
 

• family therapy
• rehabilitation counselling
• psychological assessment

Not looking to become a registered psychologist? You will still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore when you graduate from this course. Your deep understanding of psychological assessment methods combined with your client-centred approach to practise will equip you for roles in:
 

• community welfare and case management
• human resources
• mental health rehabilitation
• public health
• youth support
• disability services