Course

Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

Approved Abbreviation: PGDipPsy

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1502.1

CRICOS Code: 028481C

The Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology is a fee-paying fourth year of undergraduate study in psychology designed for those seeking professional accreditation. This award is also the specialist (non-honours year) of the Bachelor of Psychology program with which it shares common classes. This course is an alternative method to honours of gaining our accredited undergraduate psychology fourth year. The course comprises three 10-credit-point session-length units, one year-long 20-credit point research methods unit, and a 30-credit point thesis. As long as they meet prerequisites, students may take these units at a time convenient to themselves and do not necessarily follow a session- based plan. Students may be required to attend instruction on a campus other than that of their first enrolment.

Study Mode
One year full-time or two years part-time.

Advanced standing

Subject to the university's credit transfer regulations, applicants who have completed units in an equivalent course taught at a fourth year level, may be granted advanced standing up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total course work. No credit will be given for research completed at another university. All applicants will have their transcripts assessed to ensure they have at least the equivalent of a three years psychology bachelors' degree in the AQF framework and for specified credit for any 4th year psychology or equivalent units. Advanced standing will only be given for psychology or equivalent content units under the university's specified credit rules. The maximum specified credit for the award will be 40 credit points and no specified credit will be given for the thesis component.

Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as an accredited fourth year of study in psychology. Graduates of this award wil be eligible for Provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Admission

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website.

The course is competitive, and is open to graduates having at least the equivalent of an accredited three-year psychology bachelors degree within the AQF framework. Applicants who do not meet this admission requirement should apply for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below:

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Year-long session

100487

Empirical Research Methods Seminar

100488

Empirical Research Project

Autumn or Spring sessions

One unit from the pool below