Department of Psychology
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology
About the Program
Macquarie University offers a Graduate Diploma of Psychology which is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This award is designed for people who already have a degree, in a discipline other than Psychology, which includes a recognised* first year in Psychology and Statistics, and who would now like to take second- and third-year psychology units without having to complete another whole degree.
From 2012 onwards, students
who have completed an APAC accredited psychology
major, within the last ten years, will not be
eligible to apply for the Graduate Diploma in
Psychology.
To check if your psychology degree is
accredited, please see the following website:
http://www.apac.psychology.org.au/Content.aspx?ID=1048
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology is very popular and has an increasing enrolment each year. Entry is non-competitive, and requires a minimum Pass for 1st year psychology and statistics prerequisites. The program has a high success rate, with many students continuing their studies to a fourth year either as an Honours student or a Post Graduate Diploma student.
Please note: whilst the Graduate Diploma of Psychology requires completion of a Bachelor degree, it does not have the status of a postgraduate award.
*Recognised by APAC(Australian Psychological Accreditation Council) or its equivalent with completed services
Program of Study
To be awarded the Diploma, students must obtain an aggregate of 33 credit points above 100-level by completing the following:
- PSY234 Social and Personality Psychology (3)
- PSY235 Developmental Psychology (3)
- PSY236 Biopsychology and Learning (3)
- PSY245 Principals of Psychological Assessment (3)
- PSY246 Cognitive Processes I (3)
- PSY247 Perception I (3)
- PSY248 Design and Statistics II (3)
- PSY399 Psychological Science: Putting Theory into Practice (3)
plus 9 credit points of Psychology units at 300 level. As this is a prescribed program, no credit for previous study will be granted. Students must complete the 33 credit points as mentioned above to be awarded the Diploma.
The timetable for the above program can be viewed via the undergraduate timetable.
If you do not meet the 1st year prerequisites
If your previous degree does not meet the prerequisite for 1st year Psychology and Statistics, you will need to enrol in Psy104 - Introduction to Psychology I, Psy105 – Introduction to Psychology II and PSY122 Design and Statistics I as Non-Award units via the Centre for Open Education. Note, you will have to enrol in PSY104 and PSY122 concurrently. For information on admission and fees, please refer to their website.
Alternatively, if you work full-time and need to complete these units via distance education, you can complete both 1st year psychology units offered by
Deakin University, HPS111 – Introduction to Psychology A and
HPS121 – Introduction to Psychology B. Note these units include statistics and therefore meet the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
For more details and fees, please refer to their
website.
Entry to Fourth Year
For eligibility to Psychology Honours, applicants must comply with the entry requirements as set out in the Undergraduate Handbook. Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology program will be required to have at least 39 credit points, which must include PSY349 - Design & Statistics III and PSY351 – Research Methods in Psychology plus four 300-level electives, which is a total of 18 credit points of Psychology units at 300-level. For further details please refer to the Honours website.
On completion of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology program students can apply for the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology. For further information please refer to the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychology web page.
Accreditation and pathways information
Length of Candidature
The Graduate Diploma program is offered over two years and comprises units drawn from the regular 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate program. The program is flexible and can be completed in 1 ½ years as a full-time load or can be extended to a maximum of four years.
Attendance
Lectures are offered during the day and are available via iLecture. Practical/tutorial classes are offered in the day time, or late afternoon and early evening. Students are required to attend classes. The program is not available by external study.
Tuition Fees
In 2011 a fee of $612 per credit point, payable on a half-yearly basis, applies to all new students enrolling in this program.
Eligible domestic students may access the Government's loan scheme FEE-HELP. For more information refer to the FEE-HELP website.
How to Apply
Application is made direct to the university.
The program can be commenced in either Semester 1, on-line applications available by mid-August, or in Semester 2, on-line applications available by mid -April.
Enquiries
Academic Advice
Faculty of Human Sciences Undergraduate Student Services Centre
Phone: (02) 9850 9898
Fax: +61 (0)2 9850 7111 or 9850 7112
Website: https://ask.mq.edu.au/
Coursework Administrative Enquiries
Coursework - Student Enquiries
Phone: (02) 9850 6410
Web:
http://www.student.mq.edu.au/cgi-bin/ses/support/enquiry.cgi