Who should study ECU’s Graduate Certificate of Psychology?
This degree is a great option for professionals who want to gain skills in psychology that can be applied to their current and future roles.
It can also be a pathway to further study for students who want to become a registered psychologist.
Why study a Graduate Certificate of Psychology with ECU Online?
Enhance your current skillset
Apply psychology in professional contexts that benefit from an understanding of human behaviour. Take your career in education, human resources, marketing or another human-centred field to the next level.Pathway towards a career as a Registered Psychologist
The Graduate Certificate of Psychology can be your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Study an additional four units and gain your Graduate Diploma of Psychology, which can be a pathway to further study.Entry without a bachelor degree
Have the opportunity to study psychology and begin the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist without a bachelor’s degree. If you have five years work experience in any field, you can gain entry to our Graduate Certificate of Psychology.Flexible, accelerated and 100% online
Our degrees allow you to tailor your study to your busy schedule and complete your degree sooner than traditional on-campus study. Experience our engaging online learning environment with support from academics, Student Success Advisors and fellow students.
Career outcomes
Upon successfully completing the Graduate Certificate of Psychology online, you will have skills and knowledge that can be applied to a number of human-centred professions including:
- Education
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
- Human Services
You can also choose to continue your studies to gain your Graduate Diploma of Psychology and Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) and continue the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist.
Awards

2022 Good Universities Guide
ECU was rated 5 stars for overall educational experience and student support in the postgraduate Psychology discipline. ECU was also rated five stars for postgraduate overall experience.
2022 THE Young University Rankings
ECU has again been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old.
THE Impact Rankings 2021
ECU has been ranked in the top 50 in the world for Quality Education, as well as the top 25 in the world for Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality.
What you will study
The Graduate Certificate of Psychology online consists of any four of the following units.
- Psychological Science of Wellbeing
Apply psychological science to analysing and promoting psychological wellbeing within a biopsychosocial framework.
- Psychological Development and Diversity in Childhood
Explore human development from infancy to adolescence.
- Psychological Development and Diversity in Adulthood
Analyse and apply psychological theories to human development across adulthood.
- Psychological Science of Human Social Behaviour
Apply theories of social psychology to a range of contemporary local and global issues and events.
- Psychological Science of Human Information Processing
Learn about core concepts, principles and theories of cognitive psychology and learning.
- Neuroscience and Human Behaviour
Learn about the biopsychological and physiological bases of human behaviours.
- Correlational Research Design and Analysis
Learn about core principles of correlational research designs and associated statistical techniques.
- Experimental Research Design and Analysis
Learn core principles of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs and associated parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses.
Entry criteria
Entry criteria
- Cyber Security
- Networking Technologies
- Scripting Languages
Course admission requirements
To gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Psychology online, applicants must have:
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An Australian Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification in any discipline from a recognised tertiary institution OR
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At least five years relevant professional experience.
What you will study
You will study four of the following units.
What you will study
You will study four of the following units.

Student support
Not only will you be supported by our academic staff with feedback and answers to your academic questions, but you will also receive dedicated one-on-one support for all non-academic queries from your Student Success Advisor. They are available via phone or email to provide motivation and guidance, supporting you while you achieve your study goals.
Assessment
Assessments vary from unit to unit. Please check with your Course Coordinator or Student Success Advisor about each unit's assessment requirements. Assessments may include case studies, reviews, reports, portfolios, applied projects and presentations. We do not hold exams for 100% online programs.

Fees and FEE-HELP
The cost of our Graduate Certificate of Psychology is $15,040* for all four units.
To assist with some or all of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their postgraduate tuition fees.
To find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP, you can contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 707 760.
*2026 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
Graduate certificates are short, accelerated postgraduate programs that focus on delivering practical and specialised knowledge in a condensed timeframe. Graduate degrees, such as master’s programs, are longer and provide more comprehensive coverage, including advanced theory, research, and applied practice.
The ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online provides foundational skills in psychology, promoting psychological health and wellbeing, and prepares students for entry into further postgraduate study or professional roles. It is a focused pathway compared to a full graduate degree, offering practical knowledge in a short timeframe. , Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) and Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
The Graduate certificates are valuable for professionals seeking to gain specialised skills quickly, improve employability, or explore a new field without committing to a full master’s program. They offer recognised qualifications, applied learning, and pathways into further postgraduate study.
Studying the ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online equips students with essential psychological knowledge and skills, including cultural awareness and strategies to support mental health, making it a worthwhile investment for career development in psychology-related roles.
A graduate certificate in psychology is a postgraduate qualification that provides foundational knowledge in psychological theory, research methods, and applied practice. It is designed for students who wish to gain a formal understanding of psychology for professional development or as a stepping stone toward further study.
The ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online is an accelerated, fully online program that develops psychological literacy, promotes wellbeing, and equips students with practical skills for various professional contexts.
Becoming a certified or registered psychologist in Australia requires completing accredited undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in psychology, followed by supervised practice and registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online provides foundational study for students aiming to pursue further accredited programs, such as a Graduate Diploma and Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), which are essential steps toward registration.
Earnings for psychologists in Australia vary depending on experience, role, location, and sector. While specific salaries are influenced by multiple factors, completing recognised postgraduate qualifications, including graduate certificates and graduate diplomas, can enhance employability and career progression in psychology. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online prepares students with applied skills that improve job readiness in psychology-related roles.
Graduate certificates provide a short, focused introduction to postgraduate-level study, while diplomas usually cover a broader range of content over a longer period. Certificates are ideal for upskilling or exploring a field, whereas diplomas are better suited for more comprehensive training. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online delivers targeted knowledge and practical skills in psychology, making it an effective choice for professionals looking to quickly gain qualifications and apply them in the workforce.
Learn more about the difference between counselling and psychology on our blog.
To become a psychologist in Australia, students typically complete a recognised undergraduate psychology degree, followed by accredited postgraduate study (such as a graduate diploma or master’s program), and then undertake supervised practice for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. The ECU Graduate Certificate of Psychology Online can serve as the first step in this pathway, providing essential foundational knowledge and preparing students for further accredited postgraduate psychology study.







