What Will I Learn on a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)?

By Your Health Magazine

Are you looking to become a professional psychologist but don’t know where to start? A graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) could be the perfect starting point for you! But what will you learn on the course? We are frequently asked about the content of the course and are here to provide the answers you need. Let our brief guide show you what you will learn and what you can expect from a graduate diploma of psychology (advanced).

What is a graduate diploma of psychology (advanced)?

A graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) is a postgraduate qualification that helps you expand your understanding of psychological science. The course is designed to develop your pre-professional skills, helping you to prepare for your career as a psychologist. The course is the perfect stepping stone if you have no previous experience and want to become a professional psychologist. It provides the necessary preparation to move onto a Higher Degree or 5+1 pathway course, where you can apply for provisional registration as a psychologist.

The course is offered full-time, p[art-time, or online, with flexible learning options allowing you to fit your studies around any work or caring commitments. The course typically takes sixteen months to complete, with an intake every three months, so there is no need to delay starting your new career!

What will I learn on a graduate diploma of psychology (advanced)?

What you will learn on a graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) can vary depending on your course provider. You should check the course brochure carefully to ensure your chosen course aligns with your education and career goals. Most courses will have overlapping content, though, so you don’t need to worry too much about missing out on vital information. Typically, your graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) will have the following learning outcomes:

Apply theory to practice – where you will understand and apply principles and underlying theories of contemporary psychological interventions
Design your own research and analyse data – where you will gain advanced skills helping you to design, analyse, conduct, and critique research in psychology
Prepare for the profession – you will learn core interviewing and communication skills that can be used in a range of professional contexts. You will be empowered to apply these skills, learning how to use them with individuals from diverse backgrounds

A graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) is typically made up of eight units which are completed one at a time to help further your knowledge and skills. The unit titles can vary depending on your course provider, and you might get the choice of electives, but usually, you will find the following units listed:

Applications of psychological assessment

This unit teaches you about psychometric theory and the principles of the construction, interpretation, and implementation of the most widely used standardized test instruments.

Applications of psychological interventions

Here, you will learn about the principles and underlying theories that are related to a variety of contemporary evidence-based psychological and intervention strategies.

Applied psychological practice

This unit focuses on the skills you need to analyse applied psychological problems. You will learn how to apply basic psychological assessment and intervention strategies, too.

Applied psychological research design

This unit focuses on developing a proposal for a research project. You will have supervision here to guide you through the process.

Communication research in psychology

With supervision, you will collect and analyse data. This will be used to explore one or more research questions that relate to an area of enquiry in psychology. The areas you can choose from will vary depending on your course provider and the research areas of their professors.

Evidence-based practice in psychology

Here you will learn advanced skills that will allow you to design and analyse research in psychology. You will also learn how to critique current research, addressing any gaps or concerns in the research.

Foundations of client-centred psychological practice

Here you will learn the core interpersonal communication, counselling, and interviewing skills that can be used in various professional contexts.

Qualitative research skills and applications

This unit teaches you about the theoretical frameworks and methodologies needed for designing, conducting, and analysing qualitative research in psychology. You will also gain the practical skills needed for this.

What can I do with a graduate diploma of psychology (advanced)?

After completing your graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) you will meet the education requirements to apply for a provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. This allows you to step into your new career and gain some valuable experience. You will also be able to continue your postgraduate studies, which will help you become a registered psychologist.

If this doesn’t appeal to you, you can take the knowledge and skills you have gained and head straight into the world of work. You can move into a range of roles in human-centred fields where you can assist people, including:

Education
Healthcare
Human resource management
Human services
Marketing

If you wish to stay in education and become a registered psychologist, we recommend speaking to your course provider to ensure you apply for the right course and meet the eligibility requirements to continue your education.

Find your postgraduate psychology course today

A graduate diploma of psychology (advanced) is the perfect way to further your career and achieve your goals. With online options at ECU, you don’t need to worry about trekking to campuses or spending years in education. Their sixteen-month option means you won’t need to worry about being a fourth-year psychology student on this course! See what you can achieve with a postgraduate course at ECU and transform your career today.