Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a 36-unit program offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences in internal mode only.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of learning
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and meet the prerequisites for Second Year Psychology topics by having completed either:

• the Flinders topics PSYC1101 or PSYC1104 AND PSYC1102 or PSYC1105;
• equivalent topics from other institutions which are deemed suitable by the Faculty Board;
• the Qualifying Topic for the Flinders University Graduate Diploma in Psychology (QT).
  

Course aims

The aim of this course is to provide students already holding a pass Bachelors degree with the core knowledge and skills furnished by an undergraduate major in psychology.

The course develops knowledge of psychological theory and research regarding the factors influencing human behaviour and experience, and provides skills for the application of this knowledge to issues in the real world. The course prepares graduates for possible entry into an Honours program in psychology.

Psychology provides a core set of studies covering such fields as learning, motivation, personality, development across the lifespan, social influences, group processes and biological influences on behaviour. Also integral to the course is the development of critical thinking and research skills, and an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of researchers and psychology clinicians.

Learning outcomes

Students graduating with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

• knowledge of influences on human behaviour, both normal and abnormal
• an understanding of the principles and techniques of psychological research
• knowledge of psychological assessment and measurement
• the ability to critically analyse ideas and research
• the ability to connect their theoretical knowledge and learned psychological techniques with relevant real-world problems
• knowledge of ethical principles governing the conduct of research, the use of formal assessment tests and clinical practice by psychologists
• discipline-based writing skills and APA-style conventions.
  

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

Core - Year 1 topics

 PSYC2018  Research Methods 2  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2020  Cognition and Learning  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2022  Psychological Assessment and Measurement  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3007  Research Methods 3  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units of Second Year Psychology elective topics and 13.5 units of Third Year Psychology elective topics.

Elective - Psychology - Second year topics

 PSYC2019  Personality and Social Psychology  (4.5 units)*
 PSYC2021  Human Development  (4.5 units)**

Elective - Psychology - Third year topics

 PSYC3003  Introduction to Clinical Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3004  Advanced Social Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3005  Applications to Clinical and Health Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3008  Applied Cognitive Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3009  Lifespan Development in Cultural Perspective  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3010  Psychobiology of Sleep and Cognition  (4.5 units)

* If PSYC2019 Personality and Social Psychology is chosen as the Second Year elective topic, students must do PSYC3009 Lifespan Development in Cultural Perspective.

** If PSYC2021 Human Development is chosen as the Second Year elective topic, students must do PSYC3004 Advanced Social Psychology.