Take the next step to becoming a registered psychologist.
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.
Expand your understanding of psychological science, develop your pre-professional skills and continue the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist with ECU’s 100% online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
This program will empower you with the advanced skills you need for this rewarding career. Learn to apply theory to practice, build your professional network and, upon enrolment in further study, be prepared to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist.
Never studied psychology before? We also offer a Graduate Diploma of Psychology, as well as a Graduate Certificate of Psychology, so you can gain a strong foundation in the field.
*Duration depends on individual study path and unit availability. Please speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor for advice.
This degree is for postgraduate students who want to leverage their previous study and continue along the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist.
Upon successful completion, you will fulfil the education requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia^.
Understand and apply the principles and underlying theories of contemporary psychological interventions.
Gain advanced skills as you design, analyse, conduct and critique research in psychology.
Learn core communication and interviewing skills for use in a range of professional contexts. Be empowered to apply these skills when working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Upon successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) online, you will be able to fulfil the education requirements you need to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia^. You will also be eligible to continue your postgraduate studies to become a registered psychologist.
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 (Advanced) to a variety of roles in human-centred fields including:
^Please note, students must be enrolled into a Higher degree pathway or 5+1 pathway course before applying for provisional registration.
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) online consists of eight units.
Learn core interpersonal communication, interviewing and counselling skills for use in a range of professional contexts.
Learn about psychometric theory and the principles of the construction, implementation, and interpretation of some of the most widely used standardised test instruments.
Learn the principles and underlying theories related to a range of contemporary evidence-based psychological interventions strategies.
Gain skills in analysing applied psychological problems and applying basic psychological assessment and intervention strategies.
Learn about theoretical frameworks and methodologies and practical skills for designing, conducting and analysing qualitative research in psychology.
Learn advanced skills for designing, analysing and critiquing research in psychology.
Work under supervision to develop a proposal for a research project.
Work under supervision to collect and analyse data to explore one or more research questions related to an area of enquiry in psychology.
To gain entry to the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) online, applicants must have:
An APAC accredited 3-year Bachelor’s degree with a Major in Psychology; or
An APAC accredited Graduate Diploma in Psychology; and
A WAM (Weighted Average Mark) of 70% achieved in one of the above pathway programs.
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 (Advanced) is $27,440* 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.
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) will expand your understanding of psychological science and develop your pre-professional skills. It will prepare you to enrol in a Higher Degree or 5+1 pathway course and apply for provisional registration as a psychologist.
Yes, ECU offers three postgraduate psychology programs which can be completed 100% online. These are the Graduate Certificate of Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology and Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
After successfully completing your Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), and enroling in a Higher degree or 5+1 pathway course, you will fulfil the education requirements you need to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. You will then be able to follow the 5+1 pathway to gain general registration as a psychologist. You can find more information on the APAC website.
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 our 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. Upon successfully completing your graduate diploma, you can apply for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
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 completed 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 (Advanced) is APAC accredited.
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are ready to answer your questions.
Send us an email or schedule a call-back at a time that best suits you.
In Australia, psychology is one profession that’s rapidly increasing in prominence and demand. The Australian Psychological Society expects an 18.9 per cent increase in the
Please note, this article includes content which may be distressing for some readers. Links for mental health support and resources can be found at the bottom of this page
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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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