Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Postgraduate)

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Postgraduate) will provide students with a 4th year in Psychology that satisfies the requirements for accreditation by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). It will allow students to develop advanced research skills, skills at a pre-professional level in psychological assessment and counselling, as well as to acquire knowledge of a number of areas in psychology at an advanced level.

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma will allow students to meet the APAC requirements for entry to accredited psychology coursework Masters programs, as well as meeting the academic requirements for entry into our professional training program at the Masters level. The Graduate Diploma is not an Honours program, and therefore, graduates will not be eligible for entry into the PhDs in Clinical and Health Psychology, or other Research Higher Degrees.

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology provides an excellent development of the scientific basis of Psychology and the option to acquire competence in a range of professional skills. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology provides professional Psychological training and practical skills, based on a strong theoretical and empirical foundation.

There are many career opportunities for four-year trained graduates in Psychology: Area Health Services, both mental health and general health, Department of Community Services, Department of Aging, Disability & Home Care, in the private sector (career counselling, human factors within Human Resources, rehabilitation counsellors) and voluntary organisations. Graduates of the program will be eligible for entry into post-graduate professional training programs in Psychology at Masters level.

Students seeking to enter the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Postgraduate) must have completed an APAC accredited sequence in Psychology within an APAC accredited 3 year undergraduate degree:

• PSYC1010 and PSYC1020; plus
• 40 units of accredited Psychology at 2000 level, including PSYC2070 or PSYC2000; plus
• 60 units of accredited Psychology at 3000 level, including PSYC3010 or PSYC3000.

Entry to the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Postgraduate) is limited and competitive. Applicants compete on the basis of their results in their prior APAC accredited 3 year undergraduate degree and students with an overall GPA of 5.0 (in their APAC accredited degree of 240 units) will be granted automatic entry.

Credit may be granted for directly equivalent courses undertaken in APAC accredited programs. If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to your new program, go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/and click on How to apply for credit.

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and approved for registration under the NSW State Registration Board for a fourth year program in Psychology.

International students studying in Australia for this qualification will require Australian recognition of their academic achievement in their country of origin. Their requirements are the same as for domestic students.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology and the University at the commencement of each semester. All students can also access additional learning support mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/index.html

Some aspects of the program are practical hands-on skills-based and students with disabilities in these areas may need additional support. Students should contact the Faculty to discuss these issues. The support structures of the Student Support Unit will be available to assist any students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty and School accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.