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Accreditation

APAC Accredited

Study mode

Accelerated 100% Online

Duration

1.7 years part-time

Units

10

Intakes

Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Aug, Oct

Fees

$39,875 full fee

FEE-HELP

Eligible students may apply for FEE-HELP

Learn from world-renowned academics

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A deeply rewarding career

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology will help you take the next step towards becoming a registered psychologist. As a registered psychologist, you will be able to work as a psychologist in a range of areas.

4.2 stars out of 5

Psychologists report very high job satisfaction

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APAC accredited

Study with industry leaders
Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Become a psychologist

Your pathway to psychology

Take your first step towards becoming a registered provisional psychologist.

Accelerated & 100% online

Study that’s flexible

Coursework and assessments designed to fit around your needs.

Explore your interest in the human mind

Take the first step towards becoming a registered psychologist, or gain a psychological perspective you can utilise anywhere. This flexible course, accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), allows you to do both.

A career as a registered psychologist is a deeply rewarding one, and the Graduate Diploma in Psychology can set you on that path. Dive into the latest contemporary trends in psychology, such as the use of Psilocybin in mental health, and become familiar with authentic counselling skills – all delivered by our subject-matter experts. You’ll also learn practical psychological concepts that can be applied in both your everyday life and a range of industry settings, such as human resources, marketing, teaching and mental health.

What you’ll learn
  • Psychology fundamentals
    Explore topics such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and personality and social psychology.
  • Professional ethics
    Understand how ethics inform psychological research and practice.
  • Psychological perspective
    Understand human behaviour and motivation in diverse contexts.
Take your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Receive a one-on-one consultation about your study options.

Cut through with the Monash edge

Your Monash Graduate Diploma of Psychology is informed by research conducted by the world-leading Turner Institute. We consistently rank in the top 1% of universities globally and are a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8).

Australia
# 2
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
(2025)
International
# 37
QS World University Rankings
(2025)

Pathways to an accredited psychology qualification

You can graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology in 1.7 years part-time accelerated, after completing 10 units (60 credit points).

You can also continue to study for an additional 1.4 years,  8 units  (48 credit points) and receive a Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced and be eligible to register with AHPRA as a provisional psychologist.

The course consists of nine core units and one elective unit. You must complete both foundational units (PSY4111 and PSY4122) before proceeding to the intermediate units (PSY4131 and PSY4051). Once both intermediate units are complete, you are able to progress onto the advanced level units. Students following the recommended study load of one unit per teaching period will be eligible to complete the course in 1.7 years (10 teaching periods).

Fast-track your career

Students wishing to accelerate their studies may be eligible to complete in 1.2 years (7 teaching periods) subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

Pathway into further studies in Psychology

Students completing this course with at least a distinction (70%) average across all units (excluding any foundational units) will be guaranteed entry into the Monash Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced.

Need further clarification about our online course structure?

You can submit an enquiry directly to our student consultants by using the form listed on our contact us page. You’ll have the opportunity to schedule a call if you’d like to receive further information.

Please note that the indicated 20–24 hours study load is an estimate only, and extra hours should be considered for higher achievement.

You must complete the following units:

Psychology foundations: The individual

Psychology foundations: The social self

Psychological inquiry: theory, methods and practice 1

Developmental and biological psychology

Psychopathology and clinical science

Psychological testing and ethics

Psychological inquiry: Theory, methods, and practice 2

Perception and cognition

Personality and social psychology

You must complete one of the following units:

Introduction to counselling

Contemporary issues and new directions in psychology

To complete your course, you are required to demonstrate that you meet fitness for practice expectations.

Fitness for practice is part of the assessment in all units in this course. If you don’t meet the fitness for practice expectations you will receive a fail mark for the unit and be required to repeat the unit before you can progress to the next year level of the course. In some circumstances, not meeting fitness for practice requirements can lead to exclusion from the course.

View details of the course’s Professional Standards, Ethical Behaviour and Student Support (ProFESS) framework.

An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent)

OR

A Monash University Graduate Certificate of Applied Mental Health with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60

English requirements

Applicants must meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements apply for admission to Monash University Australia.

Have questions about entry requirements or eligibility? Book a call with a course consultant to discuss your options.

For the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, the estimated cost is $39,875 full fee. You may be eligible to receive a FEE-HELP loan to cover part or all of your tuition. Fees are subject to change annually.

Scholarships

We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.

Looking for clarification on fees, FEE-HELP or scholarships?

Enquire with our student consultants and schedule a call to get your questions answered.

Your Graduate Diploma of Psychology is designed to accommodate your busy life, with built-in flexibility through six teaching periods each year.

You’ll complete your world-renown qualification in a dynamic virtual classroom and access course material when and where it suits you, taking advantage of a dedicated support network available for extended hours, seven days a week.

Undertake the same qualification as on-campus student, but 100% online. You’ll gain the skills required by the digital workforce and study in a way that suits your lifestyle.

Discover more about online study.

When you study online with Monash, you’ll experience the same level of flexible support as your degree offers. Course consultants can answer your questions about online study and guide you through your course selection and enrolment. Student advisers are available seven days a week to assist with everything from enrolment queries to academic and study skills, with subject matters experts in each of your units to help you through unit content and assessments

Career outcomes

The workplace of the future is an exciting and dynamic place. A Graduate Diploma of Psychology degree is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to succeed in a constantly changing global environment.

What does the future look like for Clinical Psychologists?

With exceptional industry growth and job satisfaction, Clinical Psychologists are sought-after and well-paid.

Salary

$115,000

The most common salary for a Clinical Psychologist in Australia.

STAR RATING

4.2 / 5

Clinical Psychologists report very high job satisfaction.

INDUSTRY GROWTH

+22.8%

Expected growth for Clinical Psychologists over five years.
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I really enjoyed it, from the engaging class discussions and the innovative course content to the mock counselling sessions.

Maria Teresa Pasa

Graduate Diploma in Psychology student

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Learn from the change makers

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology from Monash is a highly renowned psychology course and the most established course in Australia of its kind. Leveraging cutting-edge research centres based at Monash, you will learn from global leaders while taking the first step to becoming a registered professional psychologist.

Your expert qualification is delivered around your schedule, under your own conditions to your own ambitious goals. Become an effective leader and thrive in the industry.

Meet your academic team

Dr Michelle Schilders

Dr Michelle Schilders has a PhD in clinical and forensic psychology and has been a valuable part of the GDP team since 2014. She knows that engaged students become successful professionals and values creating learning environments that challenge and motivate them to reach their full potential.

Dr Heather Soo

Dr Heather Soo is a clinical and health psychologist with an interest in the psychological management of individuals with chronic illness. Her research focuses on how styles of thinking, particularly ruminative processes, influence adjustment and post-traumatic growth in diabetes and cancer.

Farid Zaid

Farid studied philosophy, psychology, and mathematics in his undergraduate degrees at Monash University and has completed his PhD in moral psychology, focusing on moral judgement and moral decision-making. He has previously been a senior instructor in the GDP for five years and is now one of the Assistant Coordinators.

FAQs with Dr Tony Mowbray

Dr Tony Mowbray, Course Convenor of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology

A Graduate Diploma in Psychology from a world-class university is the door-opener to an opportunity that will enrich your life, and career and empower you to become an effective leader.

Watch Dr Tony Mowbray answer some common questions about studying Monash’s online Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology takes 1.7 years to complete, and your recommended study load is one unit per teaching period, with six teaching periods per year.
Live sessions for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology are run each week during the teaching period, by your instructor and with your study group. An additional consultation hour is available after each live session. Attendance in live sessions is not compulsory, but heavily encouraged, and will be recorded and made available afterwards for your convenience.
You’re not required to complete a placement as part of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology. During your course, you’ll engage in a video series featuring experts from the Turner Institute, undertake research projects and complete practical assessments.
As part of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology’s comprehensive program, you’ll complete two units with a focus on research and statistical analysis. In PSY4051, you’ll learn about common research methods and undertake regular practical hands-on experiences designed to advance your skills. In PSY4062, you’ll dive deeper into quantitative and qualitative research theories and undertake a research project under the supervision of a staff member.
Take your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Receive a one-on-one consultation about your study options.

Download a course guide

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