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Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

Course Code: N0812 CRICOS Code: 043221J

Duration	Campus and Intake	Fee*
1 Year/s	Hawthorn (Semester 1)	A$22,000 (annual for 2012)

*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

About the course

Course Description:

This program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a three-year major sequence of studies in psychology, in a program (or programs) accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology is intended to complete students' foundation studies in psychology as a science and profession. The program is designed to prepare students to enter the profession by meeting the educational requirements for registration as a probationary psychologist in the state of Victoria and for Associate Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The program ensures that all students develop basic competencies in research design and analysis, and an understanding of the ethical, legal and social responsibilities of psychologists engaged in social and applied research and professional practice. Students are also expected to acquire advanced knowledge in several areas of psychology. It is expected that students have basic competence in computer and keyboard skills, including familiarity with SPSS. Students may explore topics of particular interest by choosing elective units of study.

Psychology applicants may also wish to consider the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Psychology Strand program.

Aims & Objectives:

The program has the following objectives:

to enable students to understand and apply psychological principles in practical settings
to enable students to acquire knowledge of social and behavioural science research design and analysis
to extend skills in formulating research problems, gathering and analysing data, interpreting and communicating research findings
to enable students to acquire advanced knowledge in selected topic areas within psychology and applied psychology, building upon and extending basic undergraduate preparation
to provide students with an understanding of the nature of psychology as a profession, the ethical, legal and social responsibilities of the psychologist, and the role of the Registration Boards and the Australian Psychological Society
to prepare students for entry-level work as psychologists-in-training under supervision in occupational fields such as applied social research, the human services, and human resources

Course Structure:

The program consists of 100 credit points, equivalent to two semesters of full-time study or four semesters of part-time* study.

Students undertake a total of seven units of study, six of 12.5 credit points, and one of 25 credit points consisting of five core units of study (75 credit points), and two electives (25 credit points).

Entry is not possible in Semester 2 due to the sequential nature of the two thesis units.

*International student visa holders are required to study full-time.

Units of Study:

All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points (CP) unless indicated otherwise.

Full-time (one year)

Semester 1
HAY471 Thesis A
HAY453 Advanced Quantitative Methods
HAY454 Psychological Assessment

And choose one elective unit of study from
HAY472 Contemporary Psychology

HET707 Neuroscience Methods

Semester 2
HAY456 Thesis B (25 CP)
HAY457 Ethical and Professional Issues
and choose one elective unit of study from:
HET738 Neuropsychology Methods
HAY458 Counselling Psychology
HAY473 Current Issues in Social Psychology (subject to availability)

Part-time (two years)*

Year 1

Semester 1
HAY471 Thesis A
and
HAY453 Advanced Quantitative Methods

Semester 2
HAY457 Ethical and Professional Issues
and choose one elective unit of study from:
HET738 Neuropsychology Methods
HAY473 Current Issues in Social Psychology (subject to availability)
HAY458 Counselling Psychology

Year 2

Semester 1
HAY454 Psychological Assessment
and choose one elctive unit of study from
HAY472 Contemporary Psychology

HET707 Neuroscience Methods

Semester 2
HAY456 Thesis B (25 CP)

*International student visa holders are required to study full-time.

Employment Outcomes

Career opportunities:

Psychologists work in a wide range of areas including community health; clinical, counselling or health psychology; research and training; and human-resource management.

Professional recognition:

This program is recognised and accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fourth year of study in psychology. Graduates are eligible for:

registration as a probationary psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia
associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society

How To Apply

How to apply:

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology program must lodge the following form and associated documents by the closing date:

International student postgraduate application form
APS assessment of qualifications (if qualifications were obtained overseas)

Non- Swinburne applicants whose third year undergraduate Psychology results are not available at the time of application should forward their certified results immediately upon publication to:

Faculty of Life and Social Sciences (Room AS320 or Mail H31)

Swinburne University of Technology

PO Box 218

Hawthorn VIC 3122

Non-Swinburne applicants should provide a covering letter, showing the applicant's full name, contact details and application course details, with any additional documentation being forwarded to the University.

Closing Date: Friday, 4 November 2011 for Semester 1, 2012 intake.

There is no mid-year entry for this program.

English Language Requirements:

Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level certificate at the postgraduate level (EAP 5: PG-70%); OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 575 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 232 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 90 with no band less than 20.

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

Academic Requirements:

A recognised bachelor degree in psychology (Australian Psychological Society accredited). Offers are based on academic achievement, especially for third-year undergraduate psychology units. Applicants may also be interviewed to determine final acceptance.

Find Out More

For further information:

Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/international/enquiry

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au

Phone:
+613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

Information Sessions:

Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia)

Scholarships:

A range of scholarships are available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.