Important Information
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Current Handbook
Glossary
Program Level
Select Study Level Undergraduate Postgraduate Bridging and Access Research Higher Degrees HonoursStudy Area
HonoursCV13 - Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
Program Aim
The Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology is designed for graduates who have, as part of their undergraduate degree, completed an accredited three year program in psychology that includes a 3rd level statistics course and who wish to complete an accredited fourth year in psychology for the purpose of registering conditionally as a psychologist in an Australian State or Territory. In the Postgraduate Diploma students will undertake 48 units of credit (6 courses each 8 units of credit per course) to satisfy the requirements of the award. Specifically, students must complete advanced research training and will be introduced to applied and professional uses of psychology. As part of their studies they will acquire knowledge of professional ethics in psychology and an appreciation of the social and cultural contexts of psychological research and professional practice.
When applying please note:
Applications for entry to this program will be assessed on merit taking into account such things as your weighted grade point average (GPA) for all courses in psychology within your undergraduate degree. The calculation of the GPA includes those courses for which a failing grade has been awarded and applications with psychology average GPA’s below 5.0 are generally not considered. Importantly, the third level (year three) of the Psychology program that you have completed, must include a unit in Research Methods (i.e., a level 3 statistical course).
Program Structure
To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 48 units of credit as outlined in the course details.
As this is a professionally accredited program leading to registration as a Psychologist, students may only:
(1) defer their study for a period of one term during their enrolment in the program with the approval of the program coordinator;
(2) enrol twice in PSYC20032 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology A *; and
(3) fail and repeat only one of the four coursework components. A fail within a course includes withdrawal fail, WF and absent fail, AF.
Students enrolled in PSYC20032 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology A, who withdraw after the census date, or who do not successfully complete the requirements will be automatically withdrawn from PSYC20033 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology B.
* As noted in point 2 above, such students would have one further opportunity to successfully complete PSYC20032 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology A and PSYC20033 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology B.
Students may withdraw form PSYC20033 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology B with the approval of their supervisor and the Program Coordinator. These students must re-enrol in PSYC20033 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology B in the subsequent academic year term 2 in order to complete the original project proposed in PSYC20032 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology A without academic penalty.
Please note: PSYC20032 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology A is only available in term 1 and PSYC20033 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology B is only available in term 2.
Students who do not meet the above criteria will be withdrawn from the program.
Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in the program that all students have access to the CQU website via the Internet. Students will be expected to undertake various components of study in the program using email and the Internet.
Residential schools
For the 2 compulsory residential programs students should allow:
- six days for PSYC20030 Advanced Data Analysis for Psychology, PSYC20031 Advanced Psychological Assessment and PSYC20032 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology A prior to the beginning of term 1; and
- three days for PSYC20035 Ethics and Professional Issues in Psychology, PSYC20034 Professional Practice of Cognitive Therapies and PSYC20033 Postgraduate Research Project in Psychology B prior to the beginning of term 2.
Check the Residential School Timetable for details.