New course offers chance to expand career opportunities

People who have a degree in any field can now expand their qualifications in the psychology field through a new Graduate Diploma offered by Southern Cross University (SCU).

The Graduate Diploma is being offered on a fulltime or part-time basis at SCU’s Coffs Harbour campus with enrolments open for next semester.

The School of Psychology, which started in 2001, is one of the fastest growing disciplines at SCU and has attracted a high standard of students from throughout NSW and Queensland. The School provides an ideal environment with small class sizes and innovative teaching methods.

Lecturer Dr Rick van der Zwan said many people with degrees had already done some psychology and this was a great opportunity for them to upgrade their qualifications. People who complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychology are eligible for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, which meets the minimum requirements for a career in psychology.

“It would be ideal for someone working in economics, business, or education who would like to expand their career opportunities into areas related to psychology. For example, psychology graduates often work in human resources, marketing, psych testing and counselling, or research,” Dr van der Zwan said.

“There are lots of fields where psychology is relevant.”

The Graduate Diploma is a one-year fulltime or two year part-time course covering areas such as quantitative methods, psychological test construction and administration, psychological disorders, and neuroscience.

The course is full-fee paying, but students may be eligible for the Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme Entry which is similar to HECS. Entry is via direct application to SCU.

For information contact SCU’s School of Psychology on 6659 3377 or email psychology@scu.edu.au

Media contact: Brigid Veale, SCU Media Liaison, 66593006 or m. 0439 680 748.