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The Graduate Diploma of Psychology is intended for graduates who have completed a Bachelor degree in a discipline other than psychology, and who have completed the equivalent of two introductory units in psychology. It provides the content that is required to be delivered during the first three years of a psychology degree.
Completion of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology provides entry into the fourth year of study in psychology, through either the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology or the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours (also offered by Southern Cross University).
Completion of the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology or the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours satisfies the current basic academic requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia. To become a fully registered psychologist, graduates must also complete either two years of supervised experience as a provisionally registered psychologist, or complete an accredited postgraduate degree at Masters or Doctoral level.
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
This course includes core topics required to meet the minimum standards for accreditation by the APAC. The topics include research methods, statistics, learning, developmental psychology, social psychology, abnormal psychology, and psychological assessment.
There is a strong emphasis on the role of the Scientist Practitioner model and the application of psychological principles in applied settings.
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology a total of 96 credit points (usually 8 units) must be completed.
Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.
For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.
| Locations | ||
| Distance Education | Unavailable | |
| Lismore | Session 1 | |
| Coffs Harbour | Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 |
|
| Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga |
Unavailable | |
| Tweed Heads - SCU Lakeside Caloola Drive, Tweed Heads |
Unavailable | |
| Tweed Heads - SCU Riverside Brett Street, Tweed Heads |
Unavailable | |
| Course Duration | 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time | |
| Fees and Charges | • Domestic fees • International fees • Additional fee information |
|
| School | School of Health & Human Sciences | |
| Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries | scu.edu.au/enquiries | |
| Further Information | Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481 International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au |
|
| Total Units: | Award Abbreviation: | 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP: |
| 8 | GradDipPsych | N/A |
| UAC Course Code | QTAC Course Code | CRICOS Course Code |
| N/A | N/A | Coffs Harbour — 053397B Lismore — 053397B |
The method of teaching varies from unit to unit. Most units include lectures and tutorials totalling three hours per week. Some units include interactive workshops while some of the research-oriented units involve time away from class to collect and analyse data. Some teaching delivery is via SCU’s online learning environment Blackboard Collaborate and the online MYSCU student portal is used to support in-class teaching in most units.
MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.
The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.
Assessment procedures may include written assignments, oral presentations, research papers, laboratory and field research projects, video or audio presentations, and written examinations.
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audio-visual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.
Discipline-specific resources available to Psychology students include research laboratories, psychology computer laboratory and a test library.
For admission requirements, please refer below to the Specific Award Rules.
Please note: In practice, students who do not meet the second admission criterion may be offered the opportunity to enrol in two of the first year Psychology units offered by Southern Cross University: 'Introduction to Psychology I' and 'Introduction to Psychology II'.
Applicants must provide official transcripts of their academic history when applying for entry into this program. Graduates from universities outside Australia will be considered in terms of equivalence of qualifications.
Direct Applications
The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:
Online applications for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology involve four key steps:
Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Office website.
At Southern Cross University your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.
We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.
For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.
Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours
Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
4.1 Qualification for AdmissionApplicants for admission to candidature shall have completed:
Normally, unless the Board of the Faculty of Arts otherwise determines, a candidate shall complete the award in not more than two (2) years.
4.3 Requirements for an AwardTo be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Psychology a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising all units listed in the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.