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Australian Catholic University (ACU)

  • 12% international / 88% domestic

Graduate Diploma of Psychology

  • Graduate Diploma

ACU's Graduate Diploma in Psychology offers a pathway for graduates of non-APAC accredited degrees to obtain a Level 1 qualification in Psychology. The program is designed to prepare students for further studies leading to psychologist registration, with recognition of prior learning options available.

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
1.25 trimesters full-time, 1.25 trimesters part-time
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Jan, Mar
Domestic Fees
$29,944 per year

About this course

Overview

ACU's Graduate Diploma in Psychology is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline and would like to seek a psychology qualification in order to work towards a career in Psychology.

The course will provide graduates of non-APAC accredited Bachelor degrees with a pathway to obtain the same Level 1 qualification as the Bachelor degree in Psychology in an accelerated time frame.

Graduates of this course will be able to apply for further studies in psychology that may eventually lead to registration as a psychologist.

If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.

In collaboration with the team from Refraction media, we have created a number of Job Kits to give you an insight into various professions. We hope that these will inform and inspire you to choose the career path that is right for you. You can read about the day in the life of a student, what our graduates are doing now, how our expert academics have shaped the industry and what your study options are. Check out the Psychologist Job Kit, a great resource that will help you decide if psychology is for you.

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) - accredited with conditions

  • Top 150 universities
  • 95% graduates employed
  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, an applicant must have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, an applicant must have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we'll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

Overview

ACU's Graduate Diploma in Psychology is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline and would like to seek a psychology qualification in order to work towards a career in Psychology.

The course will provide graduates of non-APAC accredited Bachelor degrees with a pathway to obtain the same Level 1 qualification as the Bachelor degree in Psychology in an accelerated time frame.

Graduates of this course will be able to apply for further studies in psychology that may eventually lead to registration as a psychologist.

Career pathways

Our graduates have pursued careers in:
  • community work
  • counselling
  • further studies in psychology
  • human services
  • market research
  • welfare

Course structure

Course details

To complete the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, a student must complete 100 credit points (cp) of specified units.

Commencing Term 1 - Full-timeYear 1ACU Term 1
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC500Introduction to Psychology: Science and Practice10.0 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC501Foundations of Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis10.0 cp
Year 1ACU Term 2
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC503Mental Health and Psychological Disorders _(Pre: PSYC500)_ 10.0 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC506Data Analysis for Multi-variable Designs _(Pre: PSYC501)_ 10.0 cp
Year 1ACU Term 3
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC508Mental Processes _(Pre: PSYC500 & PSYC501 & PSYC506)_ 10.0 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC509Behavioural Neuroscience _(Pre: PSYC500 & PSYC503)_ 10.0 cp
Year 1ACU Term 4
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC502Psychological Development Across the Lifespan _(Pre: PSYC500)_ 10.0 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC507Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches and Assessment in Psychology _(Pre: PSYC500 & PSYC501)_ 10.0 cp
Year 2ACU Term 1
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC504Individual Differences and Social Psychology _(Pre: PSYC500 & PSYC501)_ 10.0 cp
  • Specified Psychology UnitsPSYC505Psychology of Learning and Behaviour Analysis _(Pre: PSYC500)_ 10.0 cp

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Credit for prior study or work

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

How to apply

Apply now

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Psychology courses at Australian Catholic University (ACU).
89.6%
Overall satisfaction
88.5%
Skill scale
84.4%
Teaching scale
87.9%
Employed full-time
$84k
Average salary