Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)

If you’re working towards becoming a registered psychologist and have already completed an accredited three-year undergraduate psychology degree or equivalent, 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 into a relevant master’s course upon completion of the course. 

If you're in your last semester of your undergraduate psychology degree, you can apply for an early conditional offer based on your results to date. Admission into this course usually requires a credit average or better in your undergraduate psychology units. Take advantage of our scholarships such as the Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award. 

Students in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) must complete coursework at an advanced level as well as 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. 

On completion of this course, you can apply for a masters program in Psychology like the Master of Applied Psychology (Professional) or Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical). 

3 reasons to study a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Murdoch 

1. Take the first step to becoming a registered psychologist through the coursework units, which are designed to enhance the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for psychologists. 
2. 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 foundations of psychological assessment and intervention 
3. 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   

What you'll learn 

• Analytics and problem-solving 
• Research and information sourcing 
• Critical thinking, judgment, and decision making 
• The appreciation of mental health issues and how this impacts at an individual, family, and community level 
• Interpersonal, oral, and written communication 
• Foundations of psychological assessment and intervention 

Your future career 

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 policy making, 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. 

Pathway information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants

Murdoch University aspires to be the first choice for First Nations peoples. We wholeheartedly welcome and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to consider applying for our psychology programs. Across our psychology courses, places are reserved for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. While these applicants must meet the specified criteria for each course to gain admission, they will not go through the competitive selection process. These places are reserved under an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, which is applied to promote equality and aligns with Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) guidelines for creating equity pathways for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. If you would like more information, please contact Dr Hak Fujiyama at H.Fujiyama@murdoch.edu.au.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited as a Level 2 course by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) for offerings delivered at both South Street and Singapore campuses.

Professional recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. To be eligible for registration as a psychologist, graduates will need to complete a minimum of either one additional year of study in an APAC-accredited 5th year psychology program and one year of supervised practice (internship), or two additional years of study in APAC-accredited 5th and 6th year psychology programs.