Search Apply Now
Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced
Apply Now

Accreditations

APAC Accredited

Study mode

Accelerated 100% Online

Duration

1.4 years part-time

Units

8

Intakes

Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Aug, Oct

Fees

$4,837.50 per unit

FEE-HELP

Eligible students may apply for FEE-HELP

Continue your journey to a psychology career

apply Apply Now
apply Apply Now

World-leading research

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced is a dynamic, purpose-built course designed to support your career progression. On completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to apply for provisional registration with AHPRA. This degree will equip you to explore career pathways both within and beyond psychology where there is growing demand for culturally responsive, reflexive professionals with psychological training.

4.2 stars out of 5

Psychologists report very high job satisfaction

Apply Now

APAC accredited

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

Register as a psychologist

Fourth year, honours level course

Completing this course will enable you to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist

Accelerated & 100% online

Study that’s flexible

Coursework and assessments designed to fit around your needs.

Expanding knowledge, improving practice

Push the boundaries of your learning and advance your psychological skill set. The Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced is a fourth-year, honours level program designed to continue your pathway to becoming a psychologist, pursuing a research degree, or branching into new career journeys. You’ll build your knowledge and skills in the science and practice of psychology and explore their contemporary applications.

This course will equip you with psychological theory, as well as advanced interpersonal and research skills, giving you a pathway into roles within universities and hospitals, education and training institutions, government departments, and corporate organisations.

What you will learn
  • Psychology fundamentals
    Explore topics such as psychological assessment and interventions, and ethical and professional issues in psychology.
  • Psychological research
    Learn how to independently conduct, evaluate and communicate research.
  • Psychological perspective
    Develop your knowledge of contemporary topics in psychology – such as mental health and illness, or developmental and clinical psychology.
Receive a one-on-one consultation about your study options.

Our worldwide Psychology rankings

Dedicated to academic excellence, Monash University has achieved international recognition in its Psychology courses. 
Australia
# 3
THE World University Rankings by Subject
(2024)
International
# 50
THE World University Rankings by Subject
(2024)

Pathways to an accredited psychology qualification

You can graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology Advanced in 1.4 years part-time accelerated, after completing 8 units (48 credit points) and be eligible to register with AHPRA as a provisional psychologist.

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Core units, Part B. Research units and Part C. Elective units. All students complete all parts.

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 goals of achievement.

These units will address core issues in modern psychology, along with ethics and evidence-based approaches to psychological assessment and intervention.

You must complete the following units:

Ethical and professional issues in psychology

Psychological assessment and intervention

Psychology in industry: Pathways to employment

These units will develop your understanding of scientific methodology, statistics and their application in psychology.

You must complete the following units:

Advanced Psychological Inquiry

Psychology manuscript: Project pre-registration and planning

Psychology manuscript: Data collection and processing

Psychology manuscript

These units will enable you to further develop your knowledge of psychology through a choice of electives covering contemporary topics in the field – such as mental health and illness, or developmental clinical psychology.

You must complete one of the following units:

21st century applications of psychology

Perspectives in clinical and developmental neuroscience

Direct Entry Pathway

Prospective students will be guaranteed entry into the course when meeting the following requirements:

An Australian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) with a major in psychology, accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) with at least a distinction (70%) average across second and third year psychology units (including psychology electives).

OR

An Australian graduate diploma in psychology (or equivalent), accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) with at least a distinction (70%) average across all psychology graduate diploma units excluding any foundational units.

Applicants with international qualifications will need to have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Non-Direct Entry Pathway

Students who are not eligible for direct entry, have the option to complete the Professional Certificate of Human Behaviour and Applied Research  which provides an entry into the Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced. This will also secure an additional qualification before moving to complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced.

English requirements

Applicants must meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements apply for admission to Monash University Australia.

Fitness for practice and professionalism

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.

Alternative exit(s)

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with the following award, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this graduate diploma course:

  • Professional Certificate of Human Behaviour and Applied Research (M9005) after successful completion of 12 credit points including PSY4401 and one unit from the following five units: PSY4405, PSY4406, PSY4407, PSY4408 and PSY4409.

If you need help understanding any of the above entry requirements, reach out to our student consultants on our contact us page and schedule a booking for a chat.

For the Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced, the estimated cost is $4,837.50 per unit. 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 or scholarships?

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

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced is accredited through the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Career outcomes

The workplace of the future is an exciting and dynamic place. A Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced 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.

I think this course is fantastic and it offers a realistic way for many people who want to be a psychologist to fulfil that goal.

Will Sutherland

Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced

Psychology online at Monash

Studying psychology online through Monash allows you to learn from leading academics in the field and provides access to innovative technology solutions to complex psychological issues. Unique to Monash, you’ll conduct research through the award-winning Research Portal, a comprehensive, high-quality virtual environment.

The course is a collection of eight core, research and elective units designed to advance your knowledge of psychological theory and research methodology. Develop your research skills through a major research project and expand your career horizons with valuable, transferable, real-world skills with Monash University’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced.

Meet your academic team

Dr Ashlee Field

Dr Ashlee Field is a Clinical Psychologist with 10 years’ experience working in private practice. Evidence based therapeutic techniques utilised by Ashlee include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Ashlee is the Senior Supervisor for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Domain and the Unit Coordinator for Psychological Assessment and Intervention.

Dr Michael Rowlands

Dr Rowlands is a forensic psychology researcher with over 10 years’ experience working with criminal populations. He specialises in assessing risk of sexual violence. Dr. Rowlands leads a team of researchers in the forensic domain, and coordinates/teaches in neuroscience and the application of psychology in the 21st century.

Dr Ashleigh Schweinsberg

Dr Ashleigh Schweinsberg’s research focuses on psychological education, online learning and self-development. Ashleigh enjoys working in academia with a passion for furthering online education in psychological sciences. Ashleigh is a GDPA graduate who is now the Unit Coordinator of PSY4405: Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology and is the Senior Supervisor for the Educational and Developmental Psychology research domain in the GDPA.

Monash Online GDPA FAQs with Dr Lilani Arulkadacham

Course Convener
Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced

Dr Lilani Arulkadacham explains what makes Monash’s online Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (GPDA) unique, how the course is structured, what you can expect to learn, how you will be supported and career opportunities on graduation.

play

Frequently Asked Questions

Research is a significant component of the course, which enables you to pursue three different psychology career paths:
  • General practice psychology path
  • Mental Health path
  • Research path
You’ll learn with a supervisor how to understand and conduct research so that you can complete the thesis component of the course.
A Virtual Lab within Monash University’s portal gives you access to all the resources you need to conduct research. Within the Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced course, there are:
  • statistical packages, where research students can analyse their data.
  • research programs that enable students to conduct experiments with their supervisor and research participants.
  • recruitment applications, so that students can recruit their research participants.
You will collaborate with your peers as well as your supervisor and learn to conduct research in a supportive environment.
Many students go on to train in clinical psychology or other areas of endorsed practice, whilst others pursue work in related professions and roles. Because we equip you with advanced theoretical, practical and research skills, you will graduate with a diverse range of competencies that will support a career in psychology, allied health, community services, business, government, research and academia.
Receive a one-on-one consultation about your study options.

Download a course guide

Fill in your details to download an interactive course guide containing:

  • doc course information
  • work career pathways
  • sync_saved how online study works
  • fact_check how to apply

Terms & Conditions