Build your knowledge of psychological science.
Duration Our courses are designed to be studied part-time, so you can expect to spend around 20 hours per week on your studies.
Study Intakes You can begin studying at the start of any Study Period, which means you have six opportunities throughout the year to get started.
Units You will study one unit at a time over each seven week Study Period, instead of multiple units per semester. We offer six Study Periods per year, so you can study up to six units per year.
2023 Fees These are the total fees for the course, which are subject to change. FEE-HELP are government loans which can help eligible students pay for their postgraduate study.Leave your details and we will call you back with information on your preferred program.
In Australia, the demand for registered psychologists and other professionals with skills in psychology is growing.
With ECU’s 100% online Graduate Diploma of Psychology, you will build your foundational knowledge of psychological science and develop a deep understanding of human development and behaviours.
Build your knowledge of psychology, promote psychological health and wellbeing and begin the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist.
*Duration depends on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor for advice.
This is a degree for students who have not studied psychology before.
For students who want to start the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist, it is the equivalent to a bachelor degree with a major in psychology.
Alternatively, this degree is also a great option for students who are interested in learning about psychology and gaining skills that can be applied to their current field.
Students who have studied Psychology at a Bachelor level before should consider the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Build your foundational knowledge in psychological science and develop a deep understanding of human development, behaviours and common psychological disorders across the lifespan.
Cultivate a scientific approach to understanding human behaviour and learn to apply psychological theory to real-world contexts.
Enhance your understanding of cultural differences in psychological health and wellbeing, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Apply theories of social psychology to local and global issues and events. Practice self-reflection to enhance your professional development.
Upon successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Psychology online, you will be able to continue your studies on the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist.
You can take the next step and study a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) before applying for provisional registration^.
Want to know more about the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist? We explore how to become a psychologist on our blog.
Alternatively, you can apply the skills you gained in your Graduate Diploma of Psychology to a variety of roles in human-centred fields including:
^Please note, graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) must be enrolled into a Higher degree pathway or 5+1 pathway course before applying for provisional registration.
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology online consists of eight units.
Apply psychological science to analysing and promoting psychological wellbeing within a biopsychosocial framework.
Explore human development from infancy to adolescence.
Analyse and apply psychological theories to human development across adulthood.
Apply theories of social psychology to a range of contemporary local and global issues and events.
Learn about core concepts, principles and theories of cognitive psychology and learning.
Learn about the biopsychological and physiological bases of human behaviours.
Learn about core principles of correlational research designs and associated statistical techniques.
Learn core principles of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs and associated parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses.
To gain entry to the Graduate Diploma of Psychology online, applicants must have:
An Australian Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification in any discipline (besides Psychology major) from a recognised tertiary institution; or
You will study four of the following units.
You will study four of the following units.
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.
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.
The cost of our Graduate Diploma of Psychology is $25,760* for all eight 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.
*2023 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
Yes, ECU offers three postgraduate psychology programs which can be completed 100% online. These are the Graduate Certificate of Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) and Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology will build your foundational knowledge of psychology, human development and behaviour. It is equivalent to an undergraduate degree with a major in psychology. This degree can be the first step in becoming a registered psychologist. Alternatively, you can use the skills you gain in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology in human-centred fields like education, marketing and human resource management.
After successfully completing your Graduate Diploma of Psychology, you can continue your studies towards becoming a registered psychologist by studying a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). Alternatively, you can apply the skills you gain in this degree in human-centred fields like education, marketing and human resource management.
Training to become a registered psychologist requires (the equivalent of) 6 years of full time study and supervised practice. The first step in the pathway is an APAC-accredited three-year undergraduate sequence, or a postgraduate bridging program like ECU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology. Upon completion, you can complete a fourth year program like the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). Upon successfully completing your fourth year program, you can enrol into a Higher degree or 5+1 pathway course and apply for provisional registration. As a provisionally registered psychologist you need to complete either the Higher degree or 5+1 pathway, including supervised practice in the workplace, in order to gain general registration as a psychologist. Learn more about how to become a psychologist on our blog.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate of Psychology if you have at least five years of relevant work experience. Upon successfully completing your graduate certificate, you can use that as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and relates to understanding the behaviour of individuals and groups in societies. It can be applied in many different areas, not just mental health. Psychologists are trained in diagnosis and assessment of mental health issues. To become a registered psychologist, you will require at least six years of study and will need to fulfil APAC’s professional and education requirements.
Counselling takes a more person-centred approach. Counsellors help people identify and effectively respond to emotional challenges. Counsellors do not need specific qualifications, however to gain accreditation with the Australian Counselling Association, you are required to have a relevant qualification.
Learn more about the difference between counselling and psychology on our blog.
Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology is a bridging qualification that is the first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. It is designed for students who have not studied psychology before and is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology. It will build your foundational understanding of psychological science.
Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) is the next step towards becoming a registered psychologist. It is designed for students who have already achieved either a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology or a postgraduate bridging program. It will expand your understanding of psychological science and build your pre-professional skills.
Yes, ECU's Graduate Diploma of Psychology is APAC accredited.
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ECU is committed to reconciliation and recognises and respects the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ communities, cultures and histories. ECU acknowledges and respects the Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which our campuses are located.
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You must have an APAC Accredited 3 year Psychology degree or equivalent to be eligible for this course.
If you have not studied Psychology before, you may be interested in our Online Accelerated Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
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