Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is only available to applicants who are School Counsellors in Training (SCITs) and are employees of the NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC).

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a fourth year of study, accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), for graduates with a major in Psychology. It is an alternative to the Honours degree.

It is a partial qualification for registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia – a post diploma period of supervision also being required.

This course is not intended as a route to PhD studies but it can serve as a 4th year preparatory to further postgraduate coursework degrees (such as the Clinical Masters degree) at Wollongong and similar postgraduate courses in other universities. However, applicants should check with individual university departments on this matter before committing themselves to the course of study.

Entry Requirements

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology program is specifically for individuals with a degree in Education, who have also successfully completed a major in Psychology (accredited by APAC), and who have been selected by the DEC for the SCIT program.

Entry to the Graduate Diploma is based on academic qualifications. Prior work experience in the field of psychology will not be considered in assessing applicants’ eligibility for entry into this course. For the purposes of assessing eligibility for entry to the program we use the best 48 credit points for 200- and 300- level Psychology subjects.

International students are required to have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum level of 6.0 in all bands of reading and writing, speaking and listening.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Graduate Diploma in Psychology will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology and their applications, including knowledge of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the construction, implementation, and interpretation of widely used cognitive and personality assessments, and evidence-based psychological interventions.
2. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research methods, knowledge of how the science and practice of psychology is influenced by social, historical, professional and cultural contexts, and knowledge of ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts with reference to school counselling.
3. Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes.
4. Analyse critically, evaluate and transform information from research literature and other sources to complete a range of activities.
5. Produce advanced written work that demonstrates analysis and synthesis of information, and novel problem solving to complex problems, and orally present information in various formats to a range of audiences.
6. Exhibit a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.
7. Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility in applying critical thinking skills and knowledge of scientific method to evaluate and investigate claims regarding psychological phenomena with emphasis on the educational setting.
8. Use information in an ethical manner and apply knowledge of ethical and legislative requirements to determine appropriate ethical conduct in a range of contexts including school counselling.

Course Structure 

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology requires the successful completion of 48 credit points subjects.

*The DEC requirements for the SCIT program requires the successful completion of 54 credit points of subjects as set out in the table below. To fulfil the DEC requirements, students are required to complete an additional 6 credit point annual subject which includes professional experience:  EDGB914 School Counselling in Context. 

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

This degree is structured to meet the requirements of external bodies such as the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Psychology Board of Australia. For information about these professional bodies, their regulations, and about post university practice as a Psychologist, please contact these bodies directly.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au