CQUniversity
Graduate Diploma of Positive Psychology
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Develop advanced knowledge of positive psychology through evidence-based study of wellbeing, resilience and behaviour change, while learning to design, deliver and evaluate interventions across individual, organisational and community settings.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma of Positive Psychology is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of wellbeing, resilience and strengths-based practice. Delivered online, the course can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years, providing a structured postgraduate qualification focused on evidence-based approaches to positive psychology.
Throughout your studies, you will explore the scientific foundations of wellbeing and resilience while learning to design, deliver and evaluate positive interventions for individuals, groups, organisations and communities. The curriculum draws on evidence-based theories and practices from positive psychology, coaching psychology, health promotion, positive education, counselling, eco-psychology and social innovation. You will also develop skills in research methods, group facilitation and coaching for positive change.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Positive Psychology. The qualification supports professional practice across settings including healthcare, education, communities, organisations, coaching and consulting.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $592 (CSP)
12th July, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Diploma of Positive Psychology, you must successfully complete units totalling 48 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Core units
- Introduction to Positive Psychology: Perspectives on Wellbeing
- Group Facilitation Skills
- Building Wellbeing and Resilience: Interconnected Factors
- Inter-disciplinary and Cross-cultural Approaches to Wellbeing
- Positive Psychology: Research Methods
- Wellbeing Initiatives: Local and Global Scales
- Coaching Individuals for Positive Change
- Applied Positive Psychology
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold:
- A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor's degree or higher equivalent qualification.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Suppose you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America. In that case, you must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent).
- An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma-level qualification.
- Bachelor-level qualification study for at least 2 years full-time with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0.
Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or the United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each subset.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper-Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet-Based Test).
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46.
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the commencement date of study. They must appear on a single result certificate.
International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The qualification of a Graduate Diploma of Positive Psychology supports the application of positive psychology principles across a range of professional settings. Graduates may apply their knowledge to the design and implementation of positive interventions in areas including:
- Clinical settings
- Communities and organisations
- Coaching and consulting
- Healthcare
- Teaching and education.
This course won't lead to a career as a psychologist, so if you are seeking a career as a Registered Psychologist, please explore other psychology course options from the university.
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $17,392 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $30,200 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 48 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
