Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), you must successfully complete units totalling 8 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 1 credit point.

Core units

• Principles of Psychological Assessment
• Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• Applied Counselling Skills (Advanced)
• Psychology Research Methods (Advanced)
• Research Project A
• Research Project B

Coursework and thesis

The course consists of two components:

• Coursework: Four courses covering psychological assessment, systematic review and meta-analysis, applied counselling skills and advanced psychology research methods. The coursework component contributes 50% to the final grade.
• Thesis: An independent empirical research project completed across Research Project A and Research Project B. The thesis component comprises 4 credit points and contributes 50% to the final grade.

Research Project A and Research Project B collectively comprise the 4-credit-point independent research project. Both courses must be successfully completed.

Part-time students must complete the coursework component during the first year of the course.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree that includes an APAC-accredited three-year psychology sequence.
• Have completed an APAC-accredited Level 1 psychology program or equivalent, such as a one-year psychology bridging qualification.

Under either pathway, applicants must have achieved:

• At least 65% in a Level 3 psychology research methods course.
• An average of at least 65% across all Level 2 and Level 3 psychology core courses.

Applicants are ranked according to their results in Level 2 and Level 3 psychology core courses. Places are limited, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. 

Supporting documents

Applicants who completed their psychology qualification more than 10 years ago must demonstrate how they have maintained their APAC Level 1 foundational competencies. Evidence may include:

• A CV demonstrating recent and substantial relevant work in a related field, such as social work or counselling.
• Evidence of successfully completed tertiary qualifications in a related discipline.

English language requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
• An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
• Other accepted evidence of English language proficiency.

Contact the university for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students who have completed components of an accredited fourth-year psychology course may apply for recognition of prior learning for up to 4 credit points.

Credit can only be granted where previous units are considered equivalent in content and assessment requirements. Credit is not available for the research thesis units or for study completed as part of a course that is not accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Recognition of prior learning is assessed individually and is not guaranteed. Contact the university for further information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Apply and integrate advanced theoretical, empirical, and practical knowledge in psychological assessment, counselling, and research methods to inform evidence-based reasoning, research design, and pre-professional psychological practice.
• Demonstrate clear and effective written and oral communication skills to convey complex psychological knowledge and ideas tailored to diverse audiences including laypeople, professionals, and researchers.
• Apply advanced skills and ethical principles to select and use digital tools to collect, interpret, adapt, analyse, and communicate discipline-specific psychological information in the context of pre-professional psychology practice.
• Critically evaluate, integrate, and synthesise complex scientific evidence, and apply this knowledge to assessment, counselling, and case management to support evidence-based pre-professional psychology practice.
• Use critical thinking, sceptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to collaboratively interpret, analyse and respond to problems in psychological research and practice including psychological assessment, counselling, and case management.
• Demonstrate professional reflexivity and self-management through critical reflection, self-care and purposeful learning, emphasising accountability for pre-professional development in psychology.
• Work effectively and respectfully with others across diverse cultural, disciplinary, and professional contexts, in preparation for interprofessional psychological practice.
• Apply ethical principles and cultural responsiveness to work collaboratively and reflectively in diverse social, cultural, and global contexts relevant to psychology.

Career outcomes

This course is a pathway towards APAC-accredited master's and doctoral-level courses that lead to registration as a psychologist. Areas of practice endorsement in psychology include:

• Clinical Psychology (available at Deakin)
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Organisational Psychology (available at Deakin)
• Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Community Psychology

Generalist psychology practice may involve:

• Family Therapy
• Rehabilitation Counselling
• Psychological Assessment

Graduates not seeking psychologist registration may pursue roles in:

• Community Welfare and Case Management
• Human Resources
• Mental Health Rehabilitation
• Public Health
• Youth Support
• Disability Services

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $34,400 (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• The number of units studied.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.