Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

What is this course about?

CSU's Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology course is designed to provide fourth year training in psychology and an avenue to professional registration.

The Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology provides a fourth year qualification in psychology to students who have completed an accredited undergraduate psychology program. It is offered by distance education at Bathurst and Wagga Wagga.

The course is designed to suit individuals who will commence professional work as intern psychologists after receiving their fourth-year qualification. In addition to its focus on education in core theoretical areas (e.g. psychological assessment, ethics and professional issues, and treatment and intervention approaches) and research competencies, the course offers training in the foundations of counselling theory and practice as well as elective units of study in several common areas of psychological practice (health, forensic and industrial/organisational psychology).

Transfer into Honours strand

Transfer to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program may be available to students who demonstrate excellent academic performance during the first year of the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology. Students enrolled part-time in the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria [PDF].

Professional recognition

The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology is accredited as a fourth year psychology course by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and the NSW Psychologists Registration Board.

Residential schools

Compulsory residential schools for distance education students are held on campus each session. In some subjects, attendance at weekend schools may be required. Students will be notified of precise residential school dates in the preceding session.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.