Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Accelerated and 100% online

Accreditation
APAC Accredited
Units
10
Intakes
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Aug, Oct
Duration
1.7 Years
Take the first step towards becoming a registered psychologist, or gain a psychological perspective you can utilise anywhere.

Become a psychologist
Your pathway to psychology
Take your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist.

Accelerated and online
Study that’s flexible
Coursework and assessments designed to fit around your needs.

APAC accredited
Study with industry leaders
Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
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.
Structure
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.
Core units (54 credit points)
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
Elective unit (6 credit points)
You must complete one of the following units.
Introduction to counselling
Foundations of mental health practice
Digital technologies in mental health care
Contemporary issues and new directions in psychology
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.
Entry Requirements
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.
Fees
For the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, the estimated cost is $4,300.00 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 fee’s or scholarships?
Enquire with our student consultants and schedule a call to get your questions answered.
Flexible Study
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 extended hours, seven days a week.
Study flexibly online
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.
Support before, during and after your studies
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
FAQs with Dr Emily Adam
Dr Emily Adam, 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, career and empower you to become an effective leader.
Watch Dr Emily Adam answer some common questions about studying Monash’s online Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
Career outcomes
A 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.
A Graduate Diploma in Psychology will also equip you with a psychological perspective that will prove invaluable in a number of careers, including:
- community services and counselling
- marketing and advertising
- human resources
- community corrections
- welfare work
- finance and banking
- human resources
- education and training.
As a counsellor you can expect:
- a 4.6 out of 5 satisfaction rating
- 14.2% job growth
- $90,000 average salary.

4.2 stars out of 5
Psychologists report very high job satisfaction.

13.3% expected job growth for psychologist roles.

$95,000 average salary for Psychologists.

Having studied at Monash will open doors for me. It is a very well-respected Uni with high standards and when I tell people that I am studying at Monash, everyone is impressed.

Caroline Hennel
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
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 from 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 motivates 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 across five years and is now one of the Assistant Coordinators.
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Learn more about studying online
Courses designed for online
Support seven days a week
Equipped for career success
Download a course guide
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- course information
- career pathways
- how online study works
- course fees
- how to apply