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Psychology

Why study psychology? 5 reasons worth considering

A career as a psychologist is rewarding, diverse and challenging. Are you considering studying to become one? Discover the benefits it offers.



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Psychology is the study of the mind and human behaviour, and psychologists are the experts that can help people to better understand how and why they think, feel and behave. Although most people understand the positive impact a psychologist can have on their clients, the advantages of pursuing a career as a psychologist aren’t as widely discussed.

So, why study psychology? Those exploring this career path often say that the opportunity to make a difference and an impact on people’s lives are key reasons for their choice. There are also several other benefits worth considering. This article examines these and how postgraduate qualifications and online learning can help you enter the field of psychology.

What is psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and the mind. It covers a wide range of topics, including understanding how people think, feel and act. It also explores the underlying processes that shape human cognition, emotion, motivations and interpersonal interactions.

As a psychologist, there is the opportunity to become registered or practice in one of the many areas of psychology, becoming a specialist as one of the nine types of psychologists. Additionally, deciding not to become a registered psychologist or work in an area of practice could be more appealing to some, instead choosing to study psychology for the knowledge and understanding in human behaviour it provides.

When considering the reasons to study psychology, understanding the possible areas of practice endorsement can help. Some of these include:

  • Clinical psychology
    A clinical psychologist uses a range of techniques and therapeutic approaches to address a range of challenges. They assess, diagnose and treat mental illnesses, psychological concerns and emotional disorders.
  • Community psychology
    Typically working in public health, these psychologists work with groups of people within the community. In addition to providing mental health services and support, they consider cultural, economic and social impacts on clients.
  • Organisational psychology
    With a focus on human behaviour in the workplace, these psychologists support individuals and their organisations. They may utilise behavioural interviewing, psychological testing and conflict resolution techniques.
  • Forensic psychology
    These professionals help people navigate the legal and criminal justice systems. They work with individual clients and organisations, applying the practice of psychology to the law.

As such a diverse field, the options are endless for those planning to study psychology in Australia. Clinical Psychologist and Director of the Centre for Clinical Psychology, Jon Finch, explains just how diverse the career can be.

“Psychologists do many things,” he says. “They’re involved in research, policy development, work in sport, or organisations. Many do clinical work, providing treatment to help people fix problems in their lives.” Regardless of the area they work in, psychologists provide an invaluable service.

Why is psychology important?

Psychologists are an essential profession in Australia’s healthcare system.

“For some mental health conditions, behavioural treatments delivered by psychologists are the first line of treatments that make a change,” Finch says. “Psychology is an important component of a whole system.”

Psychology can also lessen a patient’s need or reliance on additional health services. According to Finch, in some cases, patients who received psychological treatment were less likely to present to the emergency department for a mental health crisis.

People who have the support of a psychologist can also gain a better quality of life. “I’ve seen many people return to work because of a psychologist’s input,” Finch explains. “Others become improved at contributing to the community, participating with their family and getting out more.”

As demand for psychology services continues to increase, having more trained professionals to assist is vital. According to the Australian Psychological Society, 88 per cent of psychologists in Australia have experienced this demand since the pandemic. It is just one of the reasons worth considering this essential profession.

5 reasons to study psychology

The path to becoming a psychologist can be challenging and complex. However, there are many reasons people pursue the profession. Why study psychology? These are some of the most significant benefits — during studies and as a registered psychologist.

  1. Enjoy a varied career
    Psychologists can be endorsed in an area of practice that aligns with their interests. “It’s a career that has a level of flexibility,” Finch says. “You can start in one area, undertake further learning, and move into another.” Additionally, it’s a career that offers diversity. “Most of my days are different, so it’s not every day doing the same thing,” he adds.

  2. Make a difference
    By supporting the health and wellbeing of Australians, you’re also positively impacting the broader community. Those seeking a rewarding career with a genuine opportunity to make a difference may wish to study psychology.

  3. Understand people better
    Through the study of human behaviour and minds, psychologists gain a deeper understanding of people. “You get to understand what makes people tick,” Finch says. “For those interested in seeing a change in people or learning how the psychology of a situation might contribute, it’s a fascinating career.”

  4. Have an in-demand skill set
    The demand for workers in this field is set to grow with 35,100 psychologists expected to be needed by November 2026. The demand for these mental health specialists is clear. If you’re looking for a pathway to start your career as a psychologist, a postgraduate qualification in psychology, like James Cook University’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging), can set you on the pathway to becoming a psychologist.

  5. The flexibility of online learning
    The most crucial step to becoming a psychologist is gaining a recognised qualification. Online learning makes it more accessible, particularly for postgraduate students. Professionals who are already working and pursuing an alternative career path at the same time can continue working while they study.

    Studying where and when it suits the student is another benefit, according to Finch. “Many people find it easier to concentrate online. You can review notes, revisit lectures and set an intent to listen to a lecture or study.”

    After completing the minimum six-year sequence of education and training in Australia, graduates can apply for general registration as a psychologist and begin this rewarding career.

A study path to suit your goals

With the right qualification, a satisfying and diverse career as a psychologist awaits.

Postgraduate psychology courses in Australia

The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.

Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Stand out Differentiate your CV as a professional with an understanding of contemporary psychology and its application to human-centred roles across industries. Unique curriculum Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and current and emerging global challenges, this course offers a broad scope of subjects, including Environmental Psychology and Health, Wellbeing & Resilience. 50 years experience JCU has 50 years experience in teaching and research in Psychology. You’ll study and connect with industry leaders, specialists and experienced academics. The JCU Online Graduate Certificate of Psychology is a contemporary and hands-on qualification designed for the future. You will develop professional skills, learn about emerging trends in psychology and study a range of contemporary subjects. A way forward in human-centred professions Advance your career in industries such as teaching, human resources, marketing, counselling, social work or consulting. A course for passionate inquirers Build your knowledge and skills while gaining a better understanding of yourself and the people around you. A stepping stone to becoming a registered psychologist This qualification can also be a pathway to studying the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging)* and to becoming a registered psychologist. *The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Graduate Certificate 8 months 4 Units
Units
  • Social Psychology
  • Individual Differences in Personality
  • The Psychology of Health, Wellbeing and Resilience
  • Human Development Across the Lifespan
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
  • Learning, Memory Cognition and Language
  • Neuroscience and the Biological Bases of Behaviour
  • Environmental Psychology and Sustainable Futures
  • Principles of Counselling
  • Research and Statistics for Psychology
Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Entry without a bachelor's degree Have the opportunity to study psychology and begin the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist without a bachelor’s degree. If you have five years of work experience in any field, you can gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Psychology. Pathway towards a career as a registered psychologist The Graduate Certificate of Psychology can be your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Study an additional four units and gain your Graduate Diploma of Psychology, which can be a pathway to further study. Enhance your current skill set Apply psychology in professional contexts that benefit from an understanding of human behaviour. Take your career in education, human resources, marketing or another human-centred field to the next level. With ECU’s Accelerated Online Graduate Certificate of Psychology, you will build your psychological literacy and gain a foundational understanding of the field. Learn to promote psychological health and wellbeing, develop your cultural awareness and gain skills that you can apply to a number of roles and sectors. This degree is a great option for professionals who want to gain skills in psychology that can be applied to their current and future roles.
Graduate Certificate 8 months 4 Units
Units
  • Psychological Science of Wellbeing
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Childhood
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Adulthood
  • Psychological Science of Human Social Behaviour
  • Psychological Science of Human Information Processing
  • Neuroscience and Human Behaviour
  • Correlational Research Design and Analysis
  • Experimental Research Design and Analysis
Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Pathway towards a career as a registered psychologist The Graduate Diploma of Psychology can be your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Fast-track your studies by completing your graduate diploma in only eight units compared to typical ten or 12-unit graduate programs.  Entry without a bachelor's degree Have the opportunity to begin the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist without a bachelor’s degree. If you have five years work experience in any field, you can gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Psychology before progressing the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.  Flexible, accelerated and 100% online ECU degrees allow you to tailor your study to your busy schedule and complete your degree sooner than traditional on-campus study. Experience our engaging online learning environment with support from academics, Student Success Advisors and fellow students. This is a degree for students who have not studied psychology before. For students who want to start the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist, it is the equivalent to a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology*. Alternatively, this degree is also a great option for students who are interested in learning about psychology and gaining skills that can be applied to their current field. Students who have studied Psychology at a bachelor's level before should consider the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). *ECU is currently seeking APAC accreditation. 
Graduate Diploma 16 months 8 Units
Units
  • Psychological Science of Wellbeing
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Childhood
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Adulthood
  • Psychological Science of Human Social Behaviour
  • Psychological Science of Human Information Processing
  • Neuroscience and Human Behaviour
  • Correlational Research Design and Analysis
  • Experimental Research Design and Analysis
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Learn from experts at the leading edge of psychological science. Keep up with the latest science and technology. Study an internationally-relevant course aligned with the latest American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines. Develop culturally-responsive skills in a curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP). Have the flexibility to learn when it suits you with a course that’s been developed for the online learning environment. With UTS Online’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology, you’ll gain contemporary knowledge and practical skills, preparing you to harness the power of psychology in your work. Students of this course may come from various fields such as education, human resources, business management, accounting, communications, social work and counselling. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for professionals who are: From a diverse range of backgrounds and industries with no qualification in psychology. Have a passion for helping others and making a difference. Ready for a new challenge. Lead busy lives and are seeking work–life balance while studying online. The 100% online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is your first step towards pursuing a career in psychology. Upon successful completion of this course, you may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), which is the next step in your pathway to becoming a registered psychologist or researcher. *UTS is currently seeking APAC accreditation.
Graduate Diploma 20 months 10 Units
Units
  • Introduction to Psychology Foundations​
  • Introduction to Psychological Science
  • Brain and Behaviour
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
  • Development Across the Lifespan
  • Research Methods and Theory in Psychology
  • Research Design and Analysis in Psychology
  • Psychological Assessment, Ethics, and Professional Skills
  • Society, Psychological Health and Wellbeing
  • Cognitive Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging)
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging)
APAC accredited Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). 50 years experience JCU has 50 years experience in teaching and research in psychology. You’ll study and connect with industry leaders, specialists and experienced academics. Unique curriculum Subjects align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as current and emerging global health challenges in a technology-enabled society. The JCU Online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is a contemporary and hands-on qualification designed for the future. It provides the foundational knowledge of the history of psychology and develops your professional skills to apply contemporary psychology to solve community-based challenges. A stepping stone to becoming a registered psychologist This qualification is a pathway to further study for those who want to change their career to become a psychologist. This may include career pathways such as general or clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology and organisational psychology. A way forward in human-centred professions This degree is also for professionals in human-centred occupations who are focused on career growth and want the skills to help them achieve more in current and future roles. This may include teaching, human resources, marketing, counselling, social work and consulting. This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Graduate Diploma 20 months 10 Units
Units
  • Social Psychology
  • Individual Differences in Personality
  • The Psychology of Health, Wellbeing and Resilience
  • Human Development Across the Lifespan
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
  • Learning, Memory Cognition and Language
  • Neuroscience and the Biological Bases of Behaviour
  • Environmental Psychology and Sustainable Futures
  • Principles of Counselling
  • Research and Statistics for Psychology
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
Learn from experts at the leading edge of psychological science. Keep up with the latest science and technology. Take a world view with course content based on the latest American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines. Become a culturally-responsive professional by undertaking a curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP). Be on your path to becoming a registered psychologist or researcher. Have the flexibility to learn when it suits you with a course that’s been developed for the online learning platform. With UTS Online’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement principles of psychological science in diverse work settings. The 100% online and accelerated course enables you to immediately add value to your organisation and career. This course is developed in line with the American Psychological Association Guidelines and offers a curriculum informed by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project. Don’t have a psychology background? We offer an online Graduate Diploma in Psychology for professionals from various backgrounds and industries with no qualification in psychology. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology you may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced).
Graduate Diploma 16 months 6 Units
Units
  • Psychological Science Career Readiness
  • Advanced Professional Skills and Ethical Issues in Psychology
  • Advanced Psychological Assessment and Intervention
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Research Project A
  • Research Project B
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
Developed by industry experts The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) is designed and delivered by experienced psychology researchers and practitioners. Benefit from close support from engaged academics and build your professional network as you continue your journey to becoming a registered psychologist. Flexible, accelerated and 100% online ECU degrees allow you to tailor your study to your busy schedule and complete your degree sooner than traditional on-campus study. Get support from academics, Student Success Advisors and fellow students. Support while you study At ECU, you will receive the support you need to succeed when fitting study into your already busy life. Not only are our teaching staff supportive and attentive - you will also have a dedicated Student Success Advisor to support you every step of the way at ECU. This degree is for postgraduate students who want to leverage their previous study and continue along the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist. Upon successful completion, you will fulfil the education requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia*. *ECU is currently seeking APAC accreditation. 
Graduate Diploma 16 months 8 Units
Units
  • Foundations of Client-Centred Psychological Practice
  • Applications of Psychological Assessment
  • Applications of Psychological Interventions
  • Applied Psychological Practice
  • Qualitative Research Skills and Applications
  • Evidence Based Practice in Psychology
  • Applied Psychological Research Design
  • Communicating Research in Psychology