Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology degree, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced understanding and application of a broad, coherent body of knowledge of psychology, including: underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, the scientific approach, and values and ethics in psychology. 
2. Apply psychological knowledge, interpersonal skills and teamwork to engage with a broad spectrum of the community, including those who are marginalized, demonstrating sensitivity to the diversity of individuals, including ethnic, gender and cultural diversity, and the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 
3. Apply the principles of scholarly inquiry in psychology to engage in reflective practice and lifelong learning. 
4. Analyse and critically evaluate theory and research in the discipline of psychology to solve complex problems and communicate these in written and oral formats. 

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a pathway to further study for those who seek a psychology qualification in order to work towards a career in Psychology.

The course will provide graduates of non-APAC accredited Bachelor degrees with a pathway to obtain the same Level 1 qualification as the Bachelor degree in Psychology in an accelerated time frame.

Graduates of this course will be able to apply for further studies in psychology that may eventually lead to registration as a psychologist.

If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.ACU’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline and would like to seek a psychology qualification in order to work towards a career in Psychology.

The course will provide graduates of non-APAC accredited Bachelor degrees with a pathway to obtain the same Level 1 qualification as the Bachelor degree in Psychology in an accelerated time frame.

Graduates of this course will be able to apply for further studies in psychology that may eventually lead to registration as a psychologist.

If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.

In collaboration with the team from Refraction media, we have created a number of Job Kits to give you an insight into various professions. We hope that these will inform and inspire you to choose the career path that is right for you. You can read about the day in the life of a student, what our graduates are doing now, how our expert academics have shaped the industry and what your study options are. Check out the Psychologist Job Kit, a great resource that will help you decide if psychology is for you.

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)- accredited with conditions.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology degree, a student must complete 100 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.

Students are required to follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.

Specified Psychology Units

• PSYC500 Introduction to Psychology: Science and Practice (10cp)
• PSYC501 Foundations of Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis (10cp)
• PSYC502 Psychological Develpment Across the Lifespan (10cp)
• PSYC503 Mental Health and Psychological Disorders (10cp)
• PSYC504 Individual Differences and Social Psychology (10cp)
• PSYC505 Psychology of Learning and Behavoural Analysis (10cp)
• PSYC506 Data Analysis for Multi-variable Designs (10cp)
• PSYC507 Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches and Assessment in Psychology (10cp)
• PSYC508 Mental Processes (10cp)
• PSYC509 Behavioural Neuroscience (10cp).

Award requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology degree, a student must complete 100 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $31,440

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Australian Catholic University – So much more

An Australian Catholic University (ACU) education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.

ACU aims to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. It is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.

Learn more about Australian Catholic University

Explore Australian Catholic University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

33

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

27

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, an applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International Students must also comply with English Language Proficiency requirements as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy:

• Academic IELTS with an overall score of 7.0: with minimum scores of 7.0 in all tests.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) - 65: with a minimum of 65 in all four communicative skills.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic TOEFL Internet based total of 94: with a minimum 27 in writing, 23 in speaking, 24 in reading and 24 in listening.
• ACU English Language Test - A(75-100%).
• Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) - Overall CAE of 185: with a minimum individual score of 185 in all tests.

If you have already studied at university level or have significant relevant work experience, you can apply for credit towards your ACU course. Credited units replace units you would otherwise study, so you can finish your course earlier.

ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 50cp.

In some situations, it may be possible to receive Recognition of Prior Learning for all or part of the first placement unit.