Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2027 course information
Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
Deakin course code	H603
Course credit points	10
Course version	2
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Course information	For students who commenced from 2019 onwards
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Duration	1 year full time taken over three consecutive trimesters or part-time equivalent.
Course map - enrolment planning tool	The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS code	099423C Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Designed for graduates from another discipline, the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science provides an accelerated pathway into the study of psychology and human behaviour. Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the course introduces foundational psychology knowledge while preparing you for further psychology study.

You will explore core areas of psychology including child development, psychopathology, social behaviour, and neuroscience while developing research, analytical and communication skills. Delivered by academics active in the field, the course combines psychological theory with insights into human behaviour and mental processes.

Offered on campus and online, the course provides flexible study options and can be completed in as little as one year full-time. Graduates can pursue APAC-accredited fourth-year study or apply psychology knowledge across a range of professional settings.

Indicative student workload

It is expected that students will spend approximately 150 hours per trimester, per credit point.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This means that by completing this course you can:

apply for a fourth-year of study (e.g. honours equivalent) which will then enable you to apply to the Psychology Board of Australia for provisional registration as a psychologist once you meet their requirements
after completing your fourth-year of study, you can then apply for further study in an APAC-accredited master or doctoral level course that leads to general registration as a psychologist.

Career opportunities

As it is the equivalent of a three-year accredited psychology undergraduate degree, this course a pathway to a fourth-year of study (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)), which can then lead to an APAC-accredited master or doctoral-level course that enables general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Areas of practice endorsement in psychology include:

clinical psychology (available at Deakin)
clinical neuropsychology
organisational psychology (available at Deakin)
sport and exercise psychology
forensic psychology
counselling psychology
community psychology

Working as a generalist psychologist might involve:

family therapy
rehabilitation counselling
psychological assessment

Not looking to become a registered psychologist? You will still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore when you graduate from this course. Your deep understanding of psychological assessment methods combined with your client-centred approach to practice will equip you for roles in:

community welfare and case management
disability services
human resources
mental health rehabilitation
public health
youth support

Participation requirements

Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3 if they wish to complete this course in one year.

At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.

Mandatory student checks

There are no mandatory student checks for this course

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to an APAC accredited fourth year Honours or Graduate Diploma of Psychology course and other postgraduate coursework programs.

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Achieve a deep conceptual understanding of the major ideas, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the core topics of psychology.
Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts including with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and within teams.
Be able to use digital technologies to source appropriate materials, conduct research and disseminate findings.
Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes. Understand and apply and evaluate basic research methods in psychology including research design, data analysis and interpretation to solve real world problems.
Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes.
Understand and appreciate the core values of psychology (i.e. value empirical evidence; tolerate ambiguity during the search for a greater understanding of behaviour and knowledge structures ;act ethically and professionally; understand the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity and reflect other values that are the underpinning of psychology as a discipline).
Demonstrate understanding and sufficient responsibility for working in a team, including effective communication for task planning, co-ordination, decision-making and evaluation within the team situation.
Demonstrate, report and apply ethical principles to understand how to work productively in the field of psychology within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts by collaborating and communicating in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner.

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science you must pass 10 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

A 10-credit point Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
10 credit points of core units.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HPY717

Introduction to Psychology: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

HPY718

Introduction to Psychology: Cross-Cultural and Indigenous

HPS773

Cognitive Psychology

HPS774

Social Psychology

Trimester 2

HPS771

Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

HPS772

Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

HPS788

Psychopathology

HPS791

Personality Psychology

Trimester 3

HPS775

Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)

HPS781

Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

Work experience

Not applicable

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Fees and charges

Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.

Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Estimate your fees

Further information

Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page .

Contact Student Central