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Department of Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions - Graduate Diploma in Advanced Psychology

I am currently completing an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) undergraduate degree at another Australian University; can I apply for a Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology at Macquarie?
Yes, places are reserved for applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree at another university. Applications are ranked and there is a quota in place. Australian residents with an undergraduate degree conferred at an overseas university are required to provide a Statement of Qualification (equivalency) from the Australian Psychological Society (APS: http://www.psychology.org.au/study/assess_qualifications/ ) - note that the APS assessment process can take up to 6-8 weeks.

Are there any differences in the course content of the two fourth year in psychology programs at Macquarie?
The main difference in the course content of the two programs is how the Research Project or thesis (40 pages) is supervised. Honours students are supervised individually, whereas Diploma students work on their Research Project in groups of up to four students and share one supervisor. The group works together (usually meeting on a weekly basis) during the initial stage of data collection and during later stages of the project e.g. data analysis and writing up, students work individually on their thesis. In addition to the thesis, there are two other compulsory units plus two electives for both programs.

Do my future options of becoming a registered psychologist differ if I complete the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology rather than Honours?

Yes, future options or pathways to registration at Macquarie University can differ in terms of which 4th year program you successfully complete. See http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/pdf/pathways.pdf for Pathways progression at Macquarie.

Full Australian Psychological Society accreditation: http://www.psychology.org.au/ requires an APAC accredited 4th year; and/either/or: a 5+1 Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology (see web page: http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/courses/courses.htm) or a 6+2 Masters Degree (see webpage: http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/courses/courses.htm for Masters courses) or an APAC accredited alternative pathway to registration e.g. a 2 year program which may be a combination of supervised placement and training modules to meet the competencies required for registration.

To meet APAC accreditation requirements, the Master of Organisational Psychology http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/courses/c_morgp.htm is available for Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology graduates. Note however, that other Australian Universities admit high achieving Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology graduates into alternative Master degrees e.g. Clinical Psychology. There are other pathways to registration, including supervised placement, and you can find information on the Psychology Board of Australia's website: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/ .

What if my undergraduate results do not meet the entry criteria for the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology but I really want to become a registered psychologist in New South Wales?
You may reconsider your career opportunities in the helping professions (e.g. counselling) that do not require registration as a psychologist. Also remember not to limit your applications to Macquarie University only, as you may meet the entry requirements to a fourth year in psychology at an alternative University. If you are extremely close to meeting the entry criterion but have been unsuccessful in gaining a place, it may be in your interests to seek academic advice from the Psychology Department.

When applying through UAC for the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology at Macquarie how do I know if my undergraduate degree from another University is APAC accredited?

You will need to ensure that your degree is accredited by checking the appropriate page on the APAC website: http://www.apac.psychology.org.au/ (search for courses by State). If your degree is not listed on this website you will need to check with the University where your degree was conferred.

If my GPA is borderline in terms of the entry criteria for the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology; would relevant work experience help my application?
The entry criterion to the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology is primarily based on academic merit, and all applications are ranked accordingly and there is a quota in place. If you have relevant work experience in a psychology related field you may list it on the UAC application form. There is also provision for work experience and exceptional circumstances on the Personal Supplementary Information Form available from: http://www.postgrad.mq.edu.au/forms.html

Once accepted into the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology, do I have a choice about which units I enrol in?
In terms of APAC guidelines, there are some units that are compulsory e.g. Research Project; Research and Design and the Ethics and Psychological Assessment units. You may choose two elective units from those available in any given year.

Can I complete a thesis/research topic of my own choosing?
Research topics tend to loosely fall into the current research areas of the available supervisory staff. You may consult a list of research areas and staff at http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/research.php . Prior to the commencement of first semester you will be forwarded a descriptive list of the available research topics and asked to complete a preference form listing your five preferences. An effort will be made to accommodate your choices, however students are encouraged to consider the process of research as being the primary and significant goal of the unit, culminating in the submission of an excellent thesis in mid-October.

Can I enrol part time?

Most students prefer to complete the program full-time within 12 months. However, the course can be undertaken part time over 18 months or 2 years. The total number of credit points required for the program is 24, and they are made up as follows:

  • Research Project 12 cps
  • Two compulsory units 6 cps
  • Two elective units 6 cps

Part-time candidates complete the Research Project (a full year unit consisting of a thesis of 40 pages), together with the Research and Design unit (offered in first semester) in the first year of their candidature - note that these two compulsory units are always studied concurrently.

You have the option of completing the other compulsory second semester unit - Ethics and Psychological Assessment - in either the first or second year of your candidature. Note however, if you choose to complete this unit in the second year, your candidature will extend to two years part-time.

The two electives units can be spread across the second year, or alternatively if you plan to complete the Diploma over 18 months, during first semester. You can find online information about the program, the study pattern and entry requirements on Course Finder: http://www.mq.edu.au/courses.php

Can I defer my place?
It is not possible to defer your place but you may re-apply the following year, or at a year of your choosing. One thing to consider is to ensure that your undergraduate degree remains within the ten year rule.

Who can I contact for additional information?
General Contact:
Phone: +61 (0)2 9850 9898
Fax: +61 (0)2 9850 9911 or 9850 9912
Website: https://ask.mq.edu.au/

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