AU$3,360 per subject (2024)
AU$3,360 per subject (2024)
Psychology is a rapidly-growing profession, ideal for those looking to make an impact-driven career with highly transferable skills.
This diploma is ideal for those looking to become a registered psychologist or those simply looking to gain a greater understanding of people, motivation, behaviour, human development, and research methods.
The 100% online degree delivers a convenient online program without the requirement for on-campus attendance and commitments. All lecture material and content is delivered directly to you, wherever you are.
RMIT's online Graduate Diploma does not meet Australian student visa requirements. For an Australian student visa, you must have an on-campus place in a program of study.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to the theories and practices of psychology.
You will explore a variety of psychological perspectives including developmental, biological, cognitive, and social psychology, longside counselling and research skills. You will also gain perspectives from practising psychologists, academics, and industry thought leaders. Importantly, you’ll have the flexibility to customise your study with a choice of two subjects in health and wellbeing, motivation and work, or applied virtual care.
Our Graduate Diploma in Psychology will give you a comprehensive APAC accredited introduction to the theories and practices of psychology.
This diploma gives you the opportunity to explore psychological sciences and gain perspectives from practising psychologists, academics, and industry thought leaders.
Through study in this diploma, you will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the broad foundational theory in psychology and an ability to apply that knowledge in various real-world settings using a scientific approach. You will learn to communicate interpersonally in an effective, culturally appropriate and sensitive way through a broad range of mediums (written, electronic, graphic, oral) with individuals of diverse backgrounds and values.
You will learn to critique theory and apply evidence-based knowledge to conceptualise and solve problems in a variety of contexts, independently and collaboratively. As a graduate, you will be able to reflexively implement the values and ethics of psychology through scientific enquiry that is tolerant and respectful of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and values. Further, you'll generate and evaluate complex solutions in the autonomous pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.
The 100% online program means your learning – and graduation – is fast-tracked and focused. You can enrol in any one of our four, ten-week teaching terms each year.
You can view online resources and learning activities, access course materials via Canvas, collaborate with lecturers and fellow students, and access your student email account anywhere, anytime.
Our online learning platform is purpose-built and brings authenticity to your learning experience, available using your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Coursework is delivered in an engaging way and easy to follow.
You will also have access to discussion boards, online forums, electronic assignment submission, the library and business journals.
Assessment is ongoing throughout the teaching period and includes essays, reports, presentations, case studies, quizzes and research projects.
Designed with subject matter experts with years of industry experience, including:
Professor Jane Burns
Professor Jane Burns has over two decades of experience in mental health and suicide prevention. Her interests include digital health solutions, workplace wellbeing, suicide prevention and women in leadership.
Dr Amantha Imber
Dr Amantha Imber is an organisational psychologist and founder of behaviour science consultancy Inventium. She has worked with many companies, such as Google, Apple and Disney, to help reinvent the way they approach their work.
24 months part-time.
Note: Completion of this program in 2 years (24 months) means studying an average of 5 courses over four teaching periods. If you choose to study part-time with a 50% study load, you'll complete this program in 2.5 years (30 months).
Students undertaking this diploma can expect 10-12 hours of study per week, with each term comprising of 10 weeks.
This subject is one of two introductory psychology subjects providing foundational knowledge of the primary subdisciplines of psychology. Topics covered include biological bases of behaviour; learning and memory; emotion and motivation, and developmental psychology. You’ll also be introduced to research methods and their applications.
This subject is one of two introductory psychology subjects providing an introduction and critical review of major theories of psychology including personality, psychopathology, social psychology, and cross-cultural psychology. You’ll gain an introduction to scientific psychology, the theories of personality, perspectives and classification of psychological disorders, social influence and pro-social behaviour, and cultural differences applied to psychological theory and practice. As part of this subjects, you’ll also be introduced to and apply the basic elements of research methods.
Explore social behaviour and human development including perceptual-motor, psychosocial, and cognitive development. You’ll critically examine social behaviour and explore extensive applications of social psychological principles to real world problems including prejudice, safe sex behaviour, divorce, media violence, and environmental problems. Learn how to apply both theoretical and practical methodological issues central to social psychological research.
This subject will introduce you to the theory, research and methods underlying modern cognitive psychology and biological psychology. The cognitive psychology aspect canvasses underlying cognitive processes (e.g., memory, attention, perception) as well as more complex, high-level procedures, such as problem solving, intelligence and decision making. You will evaluate the most important applications of cognitive psychological research and key underlying theories. The biological psychology aspect will involve the application of knowledge of the biological basis of behaviour across a range of topic areas including neurotransmission; sleep and biological rhythms; hormones and behaviour; behaviour and genetics; the biological basis of memory; psychopharmacology; and the biology of abnormal behaviour.
Be introduced to major methodological principles and data analysis techniques used in the scientific research of applied human research. Review and analyse research designs and measurement techniques. Apply a range of data analysis techniques across commonly available data packages.
This work integrated learning (WIL) subject focuses on the professional practice of psychology in society and organisations by simulating current workplace practices, processes, and environments. You will investigate and critically analyse the different ways in which psychologists contribute to society and help you prepare for your graduation from the program, and entry into the workplace or clinical training. The subject will use real world scenarios and apply industry processes and methods to support you in developing and reflect on evidence-based counselling practices. You will explore cross-cultural issues and the importance of intercultural diversity and indigenous contributions and how they inform approaches to counselling.
This subject introduces the study of abnormal psychology. The concept of abnormality will be examined and issues related to the classification of psychological disorders will be explored. The descriptive taxonomy of the DSM-5 will be introduced and aetiological models and diagnosis of selected child, adolescent and adult disorders will be examined. Disorders may include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. A variety of contrasting theoretical models underlying psychological intervention will be examined to facilitate understanding of approaches and techniques of psychological intervention used by psychologists.
Evaluate and apply different theoretical models of individual preferences, and evaluate assessment procedures, ethical, and professional issues in psychological assessment. Learn to apply the scientist-practitioner model to evaluate your own perspectives on individual differences and evaluate assessment instruments by applying knowledge of psychometric theory. The subject also considers key historical and philosophical influences underlying psychology, as well as more recent trends in thinking.
For these option courses, you will choose two out of the three following courses:
The questions of what drives us and how to motivate peak performance among individuals, groups and organisations have become critical in contemporary work, education and sporting contexts. Apply theories and research into human motivation, examining topics that include drivers and instincts, volitional behaviour, self-control, self-regulation, and the interactions between motivation, emotion, learning, and behaviour change. Devise and evaluate empirically supported strategies for goal-setting and achievement, drawing from cognitive-behavioural, positive psychology, and other evidence-based models. Investigate and analyse the ways in which individuals and groups function in organisations and the impact of the organisational environment, including the dynamics of working in a multicultural society.
In this course, you’ll critically evaluate the theory and application of health psychology, a field aiming to reduce harmful health behaviours including poor dietary habits, smoking, physical inactivity, as well as alcohol and other drug abuse. Risk factors associated with a variety of chronic health conditions will also be examined such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and chronic pain, and appropriate evidence-based interventions for individuals and populations at risk of developing them
In this course, you’ll analyse the nature and scope of contemporary telehealth and virtual care models as well as emerging technological developments. By reviewing recent innovations, you’ll investigate issues associated with the use of telehealth and virtual care including human connection, privacy and security, ethics and governance. You’ll also draw from your professional experience to complete the assessment tasks.
Upon completion of this qualification, graduates be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the broad foundational theory in psychology.
Potential employment pathways you may be able to work in include social research, mental health, organisational behaviour, human resources, welfare resources, market research, and communications.
This program has been accredited with conditions by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
If you’ve completed an APAC accredited psychology degree within the last 10 years, you are not normally eligible for this program.
A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent. International students are required to provide current evidence of
English language proficiency for admission to RMIT University. You can provide your results from one of these three options:
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit the English language requirements and equivalency information.
Students of the Online Graduate Diploma of Psychology who complete the program with an average of 75% are eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours) (offered on-campus), which is one of the required steps toward becoming a registered psychologist.
Note that entry to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours) is competitive and completing the Graduate Diploma of Psychology does not guarantee entry.
Fees apply to 2024 only.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF) based on your enrolment load, which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. Eligible local students can apply for an SA-HELP loan to defer payment of their SSAF.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
Some students may be eligible to apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Visit our HELP loans page for lots of useful information about eligibility, how to apply and payment. You can apply for FEE-HELP once you have enrolled in a program.
HELP loans are not available to international students.
Fees apply to 2024 only.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF) based on your enrolment load, which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. Eligible local students can apply for an SA-HELP loan to defer payment of their SSAF.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.