Graduate Diploma in Psychology

FULL-TIME (NEW!) & PART-TIME PROGRAM

The Graduate Diploma is designed for graduates of other disciplines who may be interested in changing career direction and eventually qualifying as a registered psychologist, or for those who wish to study psychology simply out of interest in the discipline.

From 2008, the School of Behavioural Science will introduce a FULL-TIME Graduate Diploma in Psychology option which will allow students to complete the Level 100 requirements in an intensive Summer Term and go on to enroll in the remainder of the course full-time.

Key Features and Benefits of the Full-time program

• Flexibility to pursue different pathways
• An intensive and accelerated pathway towards a change of career
• Completed over 1 year (3 terms) full-time, comprising the full undergraduate psychology sequence*
• Includes an intensive summer term starting January 2008

About the Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology entails the completion of nine compulsory subjects and one elective subject, each worth 12.5 points (125 points in total). These 10 subjects comprise the three-year undergraduate 'sequence' accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) , which is required as a first step for professional registration. It is designed for graduates of other disciplines who may be interested in changing career direction and perhaps eventually qualifying as a registered psychologist, or for those who wish to study psychology out of interest in the discipline*.

Graduate Diploma in Psychology students participate in the normal lectures and classes of psychology undergraduate students. Unlike our undergraduates, Graduate Diploma students only have to complete the ten subject sequence, and do not need to take additional subjects in other disciplines. All psychology subjects at the University of Melbourne include a laboratory/tutorial component in addition to a lecture program. All Graduate Diploma students, on successful completion may apply for entry to an accredited fourth year course in psychology at the University of Melbourne or at other Australian universities.

From 2008, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology will be offered both as a part-time and as a full-time program. From 2008- 2010, the psychology curriculum will be revised to meet the objectives of the Melbourne Model.

*As this part of this program is offered in a new mode, APAC accreditation is currently being sought for the full-time Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Course Structure

CURRENT Graduate Diploma students

Please refer to the following webpage for elective subjects that you can choose from: http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au/courses/undergraduate/

PART-TIME STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2008

Compulsory subjects

Electives : Choose one from the list below (12.5 credit points each)

*Advanced Cognitive Psychology

*Advanced Biological Psychology

*Advanced Personality and Social Psychology

*Cognitive & Neuropsychological Development

*Developing Persons in Social Worlds

Mathematical Psychology

**The Unconscious Mind 

**Psychology and Socio-cultural Dynamics

NOTE:
* These subjects require the corresponding 200-level subject as prerequisite. 200 & 300 level subjects are subject to council approval.

** Subjects offered at 200 & 300 levels but not part of the accredited major sequence.

Part-time students who wish to accelerate their program will require course advice about which subjects will be needed to complete the requirements of the course.

FULL-TIME STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2008

NOTE: Completing the Graduate Diploma as a full-time student in one year restricts the elective choices to those listed above.

Course objectives

experienced by the individual. Careful consideration will be given to the nature of this internal world and the importance of its relationship to the external world. Mind, Brain and Behaviour 2 focuses on the development of the individual and their interaction with their environment and considers what the consequences are, both when this interaction proceeds smoothly and when it does not proceed smoothly. Questions concerning human development giving attention to cognitive and to social-emotional aspects are explored. An understanding of some basic issues in human development is complemented with an examination of the nature and development of personality and human interaction in social groups and cultural settings.

200 and 300 Level psychology subjects provide students with the opportunity to critically examine basic psychological concepts and theories in the areas of biological bases of behaviour, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, sensation and perception, and social psychology. Students also develop skills in research methodology and data analysis. In the third year, students choose one elective which allows them to study an area of interest in depth.

Contact hours

Students enrolled on a full-time basis attend classes 20 hours per week for six weeks over the January/February period to complete the two 100 Level subjects. The contact for all 200 and 300 Level subjects is on average three hours a week, per subject.

The contact for 100 Level subjects completed in semesters 1 and 2 is on average 5 hours a week, comprising 36 lectures (three times a week), and 22 hours of practical classes and tutorials per semester. The contact for all 200 and 300 Level subjects is on average three hours a week, per subject.

Timetable

Classes are scheduled at various times during weekdays. Students with full time work commitments should note that attendance can be required at lectures on two or three different days. Laboratory classes from 5.15 pm or 6.15 pm are scheduled in many but not all subjects.

Applicants are encouraged to view the timetable prior to applying for the course. Timetable and venue information may be found on the Student Information System (SIS) web site at http://sis.unimelb.edu.au

Other teaching and learning resources

Each subject has its own web site from which students can download resources, usually including lecture notes and overheads. The University has implemented audio streaming of lectures, so that students will be able to listen to recordings of lectures via the web. At the moment, this facility is not available for all subjects. Lecturers often have set consultation times, but are also usually available for consultation by appointment at mutually convenient times.

ADMISSION & APPLICATION

Entry requirements

Entry is open to graduates who have completed a three-year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline. Selection will be based on academic merit and, in particular, academic performance in the final year of study. International students entering the course will need to demonstrate the standards of English language facility required for postgraduate entry to the University of Melbourne.

Mid-year intake (for part-time students only)

Graduates who apply and are selected for mid-year intake should note that their sequence of study will be different to those students who begin in the first semester. Applicants for mid-year entry will need to discuss their course plan with the Department prior to enrolling in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Application procedures

Applications are made on-line https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/course-application.pl

Applications for full-time students close on Monday, 17 Dec 2007 and for part-time students on Friday 22 February 2008 for Semester 1, and Friday 28 July 2008 for Semester 2.

The course code is 340AA.

Once you have completed the application, a hard copy must be printed out, signed and returned to the University with certified copy of your Transcript and Proof of Citizenship Status (Birth Certificate, Passport, Citizenship Certificate or Permanent Residency stamp).

Please send the supporting documentation to:

Graduate Diploma in Psychology Coordinator
School of Behavioural Science
12 th Floor Redmond Barry Building
University of Melbourne 3010

Processing and making an offer for a place in the course usually takes two weeks from receipt of the application.

Credit and exemption guidelines

If you are granted credit, you do not have to study the same subjects again and the number of points required to complete the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is reduced, thus reducing the length of your course. The maximum amount of credit you may be eligible for is 75 points.

To be eligible for credit, your psychology studies must have been completed in an APAC accredited course (or equivalent) within the ten years prior to admission into the Graduate Diploma in Psychology. In order for your application for exemption or credit to be fully assessed, you will need to provide subject descriptions of any previous studies for which you are applying for exemption or for credit.

If you wish to apply for credit you should complete the ‘Credit' section on the application form. You must apply for credit during your first year of enrolment.

Course deferral

Course deferral of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is not permitted.

FEES & SCHOLARSHIP

Fees

The course fees for 2008 for Australian students is $26,625 charged on a pro-rata basis per subject (e.g. the fee for each 12.5 points subject is $2,663). Please note that course fees are revised annually. There are no Commonwealth Supported Places in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Further information about the University's fee policy can be obtained from the brochure ‘Arrangements relating to the payment of fees', also available at:

http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/aust/fees/2008fees.html

Fees are assessed at the undergraduate rate.

There are a number of payment options available to you including:

Instalment Plan: You can apply to pay your fees by quarterly instalments, by semester or on an annual basis.

FEE-HELP: FEE-Help is available to Australian citizens. For more information, please refer to the following web site: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

Scholarship

A scholarship for applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background is available for part-time students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology over the period of three years.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDIES

Fourth Year Studies

Further opportunities for students who complete the Graduate Diploma inPsychology exist in the form of the

•  Honours in Psychology; or the

•  Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology

These courses are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and graduates are eligible for registration as a probationary psychologist. Some Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available to students enrolled in these programs. Selection into these courses is based on academic merit. Graduate Diploma students are often successful in gaining entry. More information can be obtained from http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au/courses/fourthyear/

* Please note that the Honours degree must be commenced within five years of the completion of a Bachelor of Arts (not the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology). Students who hold a recent Graduate Diploma in Psychology, but completed their original degree earlier than five years prior, may apply for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology.

Possible Educational Pathways for a Student in the Graduate Diploma in Psychology Program