Course

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Approved Abbreviation: GradDipPsy

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1796.2

AQF Level: 8

CRICOS Code: 028481C

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2017.

Commencement Year 2015 and 2016 - 1796.1 Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a fourth year of undergraduate study in psychology designed for those seeking entry into the profession as a provisional psychologist. For students who meet the entry standard it is an alternative method to honours of gaining an accredited fourth year of undergraduate study in psychology.

Entry into the School’s APAC-accredited 4th year programs in psychology is limited to students who have completed an approved accredited three year undergraduate sequence in psychology (or an approved accredited bridging sequence such as the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies) in the last 10 years. In addition, students must have obtained an Average Admission Mark of a credit average (65+ in the Western Sydney University grading system) in Level 2 and 3 units with a majority of Credit or higher grades in Level 2 and 3 psychology units (or the equivalent to Level 2 and 3 at other institutions). Entry into the program may be restricted due to supervisory capacity.

This one year, 80 credit point, fee-paying program comprises one-semester units on advanced topics in psychology, psychological assessment and intervention, and counselling and consultation, as well as a yearlong research methods seminar, and a year long empirical research project. Students work in groups with a research supervisor on a common project, and individually write a major research report on the project and its findings.

The award is offered on Bankstown Campus. For those students who meet entry requirements, this award provides an accredited fourth-year of study enabling registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Study Mode
One year full-time or two years part-time.

Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as an accredited fourth year of study in Psychology. Graduates of this award will be eligible for Provisional registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Admission

Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is restricted by supervisory capacity. Limited places are available in this course and meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee entry. Eligible students are selected in order of merit based on their Average Admission Mark in Level 2 and 3 units. There is no provision for deferring an offer of a place.

The School is skilled at evaluating student transcripts. However, the onus will be on applicants with irregular studies to prove they have an accredited three-year psychology sequence in their undergraduate degree to gain admission to the program and would typically be required to produce a letter from their Head of School to this effect.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office. International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including a 20 credit point research methods unit, a 30 credit point thesis, and three 10 credit point units.

Recommended Sequence

Year 1

1H session

100983

Research Methods Seminar

100488

Empirical Research Project

Autumn Session

101541

Advanced Topics in Psychology

101247

Counselling and Consultation