Graduate Diploma in Psychology

You must complete the following units.

Psychology foundations: The individual

Psychology foundations: The individual

Unit Code: PSY4111

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

Discover psychology’s historical origins as you build your understanding of psychology as a scientific discipline, and acquire the ability to conduct rigorous literature reviews. In ‘Psychology foundations: The individual’ you will learn how scientific research supports contemporary psychological theory and practice, exploring psychological theories related to learning, development, sensation and perception, personality, and the neurobiological basis of behaviour. There is a joint emphasis on the important role of cultural competency in understanding human behaviour, and you will learn to apply an Australian Indigenous lens to psychological research and practice.

Psychology foundations: The social self

Psychology foundations: The social self

Unit Code: PSY4122

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

‘Psychology foundations: The social self’ serves as an introduction to the scientific discipline of psychology, and provides foundational knowledge in key areas including theories of social behaviour, emotion and motivation, and the cognitive processes underlying human memory. You will learn about the psychological research methodology, using descriptive and inferential statistics to justify your research in the form of a formal research proposal. Weaved throughout the unit is an ongoing discussion of cross-cultural similarities and differences, and the potential pitfalls of applying mainstream understandings of psychology beyond the culture from which those insights were derived.

Psychological inquiry: theory, methods and practice 1

Psychological inquiry: theory, methods and practice 1

Unit Code: PSY4051

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

This unit expands upon topics in psychological inquiry initially presented in the foundational psychology units. You will further develop your understanding of the different theoretical perspectives on research and how these relate to the research process. You will develop your knowledge and skill in using some of the most common methods of research and statistical analysis. Specific topics include; theories of knowledge and research, parametric and nonparametric procedures to compare two or more independent or matched samples; correlation and linear regression; planned and post hoc comparison techniques; power and sample size considerations; interpretation of output; experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational research strategies; between- and within-subjects designs; and research ethics. There is a strong practical component to the unit, including authentic assessments and regular hands-on tutorial experiences, designed to advance your competency in applying a range of common research techniques and analyses.

Developmental and biological psychology

Developmental and biological psychology

Unit Code: PSY4131

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

Psychology is a scientific discipline which spans a diverse range of areas. This unit provides a continuation of two psychology topics that you will have learnt about in the foundational units. Developmental psychology encompasses physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes across the life span and how these are shaped by macrosystems such as culture, and microsystems such as peers and the family. Biological psychology includes states of consciousness, mental disorders and addiction, mechanisms and disorders of learning and memory, and the regulation of emotional and motivated states. Unit activities provide further training in research techniques, report writing, oral presentations and teamwork.

Psychopathology and clinical science

Psychopathology and clinical science

Unit Code: PSY4032

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

This unit develops your understanding of how human behaviour is classified as ‘pathological’ through examination of the historical influences and the theory of the aetiology, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders. Adopting a biopsychosocial-cultural perspective across the lifespan, this unit will provide broad and comprehensive knowledge of both scientific and professional aspects of psychopathology.

Psychological testing and ethics

Psychological testing and ethics

Unit Code: PSY4041

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

Testing and assessment is a major component of psychological research and practice, which is why ‘Psychological testing and ethics’ teaches the underlying principles and processes of test development, administration and interpretation, as well as the ethical and legal responsibilities that underpin psychological research and practice. By investigating widely used psychological tests, critiquing various criteria including test reliability and validity, with a focus on theories of ability, and how our thinking about human abilities is influenced by our cultural framework. You will also learn how ethical principles apply to psychological research and practice by examining specific ethical dilemmas and case studies.

Psychological inquiry: Theory, methods, and practice 2

Psychological inquiry: Theory, methods, and practice 2

Unit Code: PSY4062

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

This unit will enhance your scientific aptitude and critical thinking abilities applicable to empirical research in psychology, and enhance your pragmatic problem-solving skills. In this unit, you will continue your training in psychological inquiry across three areas: theory, methods, and practice. In the theory component, you will learn about different theoretical perspectives on knowledge and research, including various quantitative and qualitative theories. In the methods component, you will develop your knowledge and ability to design complex research methodologies using both quantitative and qualitative methods. In the practice component, you will undertake complex statistical analyses, such as parametric and nonparametric procedures that compare three or more variables, the use of planned and post hoc comparison techniques, as well as techniques that investigate relationships and predictions involving three or more variables. There are strong practical components incorporated into the unit designed to advance and showcase your competency in undertaking individual research. To bring together your knowledge and skills in research theory, methods, and practice, you will undertake a research project under the supervision of a staff member.

Perception and cognition

Perception and cognition

Unit Code: PSY4081

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

‘Perception and cognition’, divided in two interrelated halves, covers both perception and cognition. Following a cognitive psychology methodology, you will learn about the sensory processes involved in vision, audition and speech perception, sensory coding mechanisms and perceptual processing. The second half of the unit encompasses the acquisition, organisation, and retrieval of knowledge, with an emphasis on contemporary research techniques, cognitive architecture, attentional processes, models of learning and memory, mental imagery, language and higher-order thinking.

Personality and social psychology

Personality and social psychology

Unit Code: PSY4151

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

Investigate the history and philosophy of social psychology and personality, two fields that have radically altered our understanding of social identity, meaning and relationships. The first half of ‘Personality and social psychology’ will demonstrate how social psychology theories – such as behaviour in groups, aggression, attraction, dehumanisation and attitude change – are applied and critiqued in light of contemporary behaviour and new knowledge. In the second half of the unit, you will examine and compare distinct personality theories, including psychoanalytic, phenomenological, trait, and social learning approaches to personality.

You must complete one of the following units.

Introduction to counselling

Introduction to counselling

Unit Code: PSY4140

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

‘Introduction to counselling’ is a broad overview of counselling psychology theory and practice, providing students the opportunity to contrast various perspective. You will learn about various counselling theories – evaluating how personal beliefs and values influence the counselling process – and build your awareness of the legal and ethical responsibilities that underpin counselling psychology.

Foundations of mental health practice

Foundations of mental health practice

Unit Code: PSY5011

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

Guided by a case study approach, you will follow the journey of people through their experience of mental health concerns and navigating health systems. You will further your understanding of how the mental health system works within Australia, the types of community-based organisations, services, and resources available to individuals experiencing a mental health issue, and the barriers that interfere with mental health promotion and recovery from an episode of illness. Using contemporary strengths based models, you will consider how to conceptualise mental health concerns from a multidisciplinary perspective, develop your skills in critical and reflective thinking, and support people towards living well.

Digital technologies in mental health care

Digital technologies in mental health care

Unit Code: PSY5013

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

Digital technologies are increasingly being used to support wellbeing and to detect, treat and manage mental health problems. These technologies include telehealth, apps, chatbots, robots and wearables. These technologies have the potential to provide suitable, evidence-based, accessible care to a wide range of individuals. However, these technologies also raise a number of concerns such as privacy, regulation and guidance. In this unit you will: (1) learn about existing digital mental health services and frameworks; (2) synthesise information regarding the benefits and barriers of digital mental health technologies, and; (3) evaluate the implementation of digital mental health services across diverse settings and populations.

Contemporary issues and new directions in psychology

Contemporary issues and new directions in psychology

Unit Code: PSY4180

Contact Hours: 20-24 hours of study per week

Duration: 6 weeks

Description:

In this elective unit you will develop your capacity to critically engage with contemporary issues, emerging trends and new directions in psychology. The unit will highlight the social, political, and cultural contexts that influence the discipline of psychology, as well as the contemporary challenges facing psychologists in both research and practice. Specific topics include: cutting edge developments in psychological treatment, challenges in psychological research, new directions in psychological theory and practice, and contemporary applications of psychology for individual, social, and environmental change. There is a focus on authentic assessment tasks designed to improve your critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and your ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders in research, practice, and policy arenas.

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.