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.

Career opportunities

Graduates will be able to apply for provisional registration as a Psychologist in NSW and most Australian States and Territories and work as a psychologist under supervision.

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is competitive. Applicants:

• should hold a degree which includes a three-year major in psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) completed within the last 10 years
• must have completed PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology, or its equivalent
  and
• must have grades of Credit average or better in level 2 and 3 APS accredited psychology subjects.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma must include an 'additional information' form with their enrolment form confirming that their undergraduate psychology major is APAC accredited.

Download additional course forms

Download additional supplementary forms

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1