2020 Postgraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Graduate Diploma in Psychology | 2020

Testamur Title of Degree:

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Abbreviation:

GDipPsyc

UOW Course Code:

2602

CRICOS Code:

N/A

Total Credit Points:

48*

Duration:

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Intake Session(s):

Autumn

Delivery Mode:

Flexible

Delivery Campus:

Wollongong

Additional Information:

Email: askuow@uow.edu.au

* There is a variation in credit point value for the School Counsellors in Training (SCITs) program, which requires 54 credit points.  See course structure below for further information.

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is only available to applicants who are School Counsellors in Training (SCITs) and are employees of the NSW Department of Education (DE).  It is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a recognised ‘fourth year’ in a standard sequence of undergraduate Psychology studies, which together form a pre-requisite to provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. A post diploma period of supervision is also required prior to general registration with the Psychology Board.

This course is not intended as a route to PhD studies but it can serve as a 4th year preparatory to further postgraduate coursework degrees (such as the Clinical Masters degree) at Wollongong and similar postgraduate courses in other universities. However, applicants should check with individual university departments on this matter before committing themselves to the course of study.

Entry Requirements

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology program is specifically for individuals with a degree in Education, who have also successfully completed a major in Psychology (accredited by APAC), and who have been selected by the DE for the SCIT program.

Entry to the Graduate Diploma is based on academic qualifications. Prior work experience in the field of psychology will not be considered in assessing applicants’ eligibility for entry into this course. For the purposes of assessing eligibility for entry to the program we use the best 48 credit points for 200- and 300- level Psychology subjects, or equivalent.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Demonstrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology and their applications, including knowledge of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the construction, implementation, and interpretation of widely used cognitive and personality assessments, and evidence-based psychological interventions.
2 Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research methods, knowledge of how the science and practice of psychology is influenced by social, historical, professional and cultural contexts, and knowledge of ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts with reference to school counselling.
3 Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes.
4 Analyse critically, evaluate and transform information from research literature and other sources to complete a range of activities.
5 Produce advanced written work that demonstrates analysis and synthesis of information, and novel problem solving to complex problems, and orally present information in various formats to a range of audiences.
6 Exhibit a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.
7 Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility in applying critical thinking skills and knowledge of scientific method to evaluate and investigate claims regarding psychological phenomena with emphasis on the educational setting.
8 Use information in an ethical manner and apply knowledge of ethical and legislative requirements to determine appropriate ethical conduct in a range of contexts including school counselling.

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology requires the successful completion of 48 credit points in accordance with the table below. 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
GHMC979 Major Research Project 18 Annual
GHMC985 Principles and Practices of Psychological Assessment 6 Autumn
GHMC988 Contemporary Issues for Professional and Research Psychologists 6 Autumn
GHMC989 Advanced Abnormal Psychology 6 Autumn
GHMC978 Child and Adolescent Psychology 6 Spring
GHMC984 Social Psychology and Health 6 Spring

 To fulfil the DE requirements for the SCIT program, SCIT students are required to complete the following additional 6 credit point annual subject which includes professional experience.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EDGB914 School Counselling in Context 6 Annual

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). For information about these professional bodies, their regulations, and about post university practice as a Psychologist, please contact these bodies directly.

Other Information

For further information please email: askuow@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 22 July, 2020