Murdoch University
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Exploring opportunities in diverse areas within both the public and private sectors, as the skills and knowledge gained from this course are highly versatile and applicable across many fields.
Course overview
Suppose you’re working towards becoming a registered psychologist and have already completed an accredited three-year undergraduate psychology degree or equivalent. In that case, this course provides you with an alternative option to an honours year to satisfy the educational requirements needed to register and work as a provisional psychologist or further your studies with an application to a relevant master’s course upon completion of the course.
If you're in the last semester of your undergraduate psychology degree, you can apply for an early conditional offer based on your current results. Admission into this course usually requires a credit average or better in your undergraduate psychology units.
Students in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) must complete coursework at an advanced level and a group-based research project written up as an individual thesis. Hear how Katie's keen interest in psychology led her to pursue her thesis topics in pain research.
After completing this course, you can apply for a master's program in Psychology, like the Master of Applied Psychology (Professional) or Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical).
Three reasons to study for a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Murdoch
- Take the first step to becoming a registered psychologist through the coursework units designed to enhance the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for psychologists.
- Equips you with essential skills in analytics, problem-solving, research, critical thinking and communication while also providing a deep understanding of mental health issues and the foundations of psychological assessment and intervention
- Complete a research project in an area of psychology that interests you. You'll gain an in-depth understanding of a particular topic, collaborate with peers and develop high-level writing skills by preparing an individual thesis.
- Take advantage of our scholarships, such as the Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), you must complete 24 credit points. Each unit is valued at three credit points.
- Psychology: Principles and Processes of Psychological Intervention
- Psychology Project (12 credit points)
- Psychology: Practical Skills
- Advanced Psychological Assessment
- Graduate Seminar in Psychology
Entry requirements
A three-year Bachelor's degree in Psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council or an Australian Psychological Society-approved alternative. Applicants with a 10-year-old bachelor's degree in psychology will likely be required to complete additional units to demonstrate the competencies required to enter the course. The Academic Chair will consider applications on a competitive basis and recommend students for admission based on an assessment of the student's preparedness to cope with the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) and current teaching resources available to the school. Only students with a credit average or better in their undergraduate psychology units will be considered. In some cases, the Academic Chair may recommend a student for admission. Still, it will likely require them to demonstrate their readiness for the course by completing additional designated units offered in earlier years than the fourth year. The number of students accepted into the course will be determined semester-by-semester and will depend upon available resources.
English Requirements
To study at Murdoch, you must meet a minimum standard in English, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student or through English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Analytics and problem-solving.
- Research and information sourcing.
- Critical thinking, judgment and decision-making.
- Appreciation of mental health issues and how they impact individuals, families and communities.
- Interpersonal, oral and written communication.
- Foundations of psychological assessment and intervention.
Career outcomes
After obtaining the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) degree, you can explore working in diverse areas, both in the public and private sectors, because the skills and knowledge acquired throughout this course are highly versatile and applicable to many fields. You can be involved in policymaking, police and correction services, counselling services, market and consumer research, career guidance and more. Graduate Careers Australia outlines some areas you might work in after graduating with a Psychology degree.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated annual fee in 2025: $24,120 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated fee displayed is based on a standard full-time study load. Fees may increase each year. For courses longer than one year in duration, you'll pay the current fee for the year that you enrol.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- 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.
