Course

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Approved Abbreviation: GradDipPsy

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1796.3

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 2018 or later.

For Commencement Year 2017 - please refer to 1796.2 Graduate Diploma in Psychology

For Commencement Year 2015 and 2016 - please refer to 1796.1 Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is an accredited fourth year program of undergraduate study in psychology designed for those seeking to pursue training pathways that lead to registration as a psychologist; or progression into Higher Degree Research in psychology. For students who meet the entry standard it is an alternative method to honours of gaining an accredited fourth year of undergraduate study enabling registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Entry into the School’s APAC-accredited 4th year in psychology is limited to students who have completed an approved accredited three year undergraduate sequence in psychology (or an approved accredited bridging sequence, ii.e., a course that covers only a psychology major and typically takes 1.5 full-time years to complete) at an institution other than Western Sydney University in the last 10 years. In addition, students must have obtained an average mark of 70 in units equivalent to Level 2 and 3, with a majority of Credit or higher grades in units equivalent to Level 2 and 3 psychology units. Entry into the program may be restricted due to supervisory capacity. Eligible students are selected in order of merit based on their average mark in Level 2 and 3 units.

This one-year, 80 credit point, fee-paying program comprises a 30 credit point research thesis and 50 credit points of course work. 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.

For advice, prospective students and current students should contact the Psychology Honours/Fourth Year Academic Course Advisor via the 'Course Advice' link below.

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 School’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology is limited to students who have completed an approved accredited three year undergraduate sequence in psychology (or an approved accredited bridging sequence, i.e., a course that covers only a psychology major and typically takes 1.5 full-time years to complete) in the last 10 years at an institution other than Western Sydney University. In addition, students must have obtained an average mark of 70+ in units equivalent to Level 2 and 3, with a majority of Credit or higher grades in units equivalent to Level 2 and 3 psychology units.

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 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 may be required to produce a letter from their Head of School to this effect.

Additional admission requirement for International Students;

IELTS (Academic)- 6.5 overall score with a minimum 6.0 in each subtest

TOEFL Internet based test - 82 (writing = 21, Speaking, 18, Reading 13 and Listening 13)

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 will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website.

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.

Students with an overseas degree must provide an Australian Psychological Society assessment of qualification.

Australian Psychological Society

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

Please note: Students must enrol in 102528 Psychology Research Thesis and 100983 Research Methods Seminar in both 1H and 2H sessions in order to receive final grades and credit points.

Full-time

Year 1

1H session

100983

Research Methods Seminar

Please note: in 2021 unit 100983 will be offered in Autumn and Spring sessions rather than 1H and 2H.

102528

Psychology Research Thesis

Autumn Session

101541

Advanced Topics in Psychology

101247