Best Graduate Diploma in Psychology Online

Australia’s best online psychology graduate diplomas are all good for learners, but in slightly different ways. Some are built for working professionals who want a steady part-time flow. Another is closer to full-time study for students who want an immersive experience. All are available 100% online.

Designed for university graduates without a background in psychology, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is professionally equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Learn psychological science by completing 10 postgraduate subjects instead of 24 undergraduate.

JCU Online – Graduate Diploma of Psychology Online (Bridging)

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology Online (Bridging) at JCU Online builds foundation psychology knowledge and is an APAC-accredited Level 1 qualification. Students complete one subject over 7 weeks, then have a short break before the next study period.

Graduate Certificate exit point available
JCU postgraduate psychology median salary of $105,000, compared with $86,200 for Monash*

The psychology bridging course from James Cook University is built for efficient part-time study. The course has 10 subjects and can be completed in 20 months.

The four-subject Graduate Certificate gives students added flexibility. If your plans change, you may be able to leave early with a university qualification in psychology.

Postgraduate psychology graduates from JCU enjoy strong starting salaries. The Graduate Outcomes Survey reports a median salary of $105,000 for JCU postgraduate psychology graduates, compared with $86,200 for Monash University.

ACU Online – Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The ACU Online course is basically a full-time psychology grad dip that can be completed in 1.25 years. In national survey data, ACU postgraduate psychology ranks number 1 for both current student satisfaction and graduate employment rate.

Number 1 for current student satisfaction*
Number 1 for graduate employment rate*

The course is an APAC-accredited Level 1 psychology sequence. Students complete 10 online psychology units across five ACU Online terms. The course covers research methods, statistics, mental health, development, cognition, neuroscience, assessment, and behaviour.

ACU has a 93.0% satisfaction rate for overall experience in Psychology (Postgraduate), compared with the Australian higher education average of 77.5%. ACU also records 93.8% for full-time employment in the same category, compared with the national average of 86.1%.

UTS Online – Graduate Diploma in Psychology

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UTS Online is informed by the latest American Psychological Association Guidelines 3.0. The course develops skills in research, data interpretation, psychological science, and evidence-based interventions.

Created for online learning by the UTS Graduate School of Health

APA Guidelines at UTS Online

The course follows the latest American Psychological Association Guidelines 3.0. These guidelines shape how students approach psychological science, ethical conduct, evidence-based interventions, and the use of psychology to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

* Ranking Method

The rankings of online Graduate Diploma in Psychology programs combine national survey evidence with course format. The two main sources are the Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) and the Student Experience Survey (SES).

The GOS targets recent graduates from Australian higher education institutions. It provides insights into employment outcomes and the relevance of skills in the workforce. Annually, it gathers responses from over 130,000 graduates across various study levels.
The SES assesses the current higher education student experience in Australia. It evaluates measurable aspects linked to learning outcomes that institutions can influence. It surveys over 175,000 undergraduates and 65,000 postgraduates annually.

For psychology graduate diploma programs, we focused on the broader field of Psychology (Postgraduate) from both surveys. The final list was limited to fully online graduate diploma or bridging courses that provide an APAC-accredited Level 1 psychology sequence.

JCU Online ranked first because it has the strongest format for working professionals. Students complete one subject at a time over 7-week study periods, and the course includes a Graduate Certificate exit point. JCU also records a postgraduate psychology median salary of $105,000.

ACU Online ranked second because of its national survey results. ACU ranks number 1 for current student satisfaction and number 1 for graduate employment rate in Psychology (Postgraduate). The course is closer to full-time study, with completion possible in 1.25 years.

UTS Online ranked third because its course follows the latest American Psychological Association Guidelines 3.0. The course is delivered by the UTS Graduate School of Health and gives students a contemporary online psychology pathway.

What You Can Do With This Qualification

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology provides the same job and further education opportunities as from a Bachelor of Psychology degree. Additionally, you can leverage your previous degree and any work experience to gain extra advantage.

Psychology is an intriguing discipline that develops well-rounded professional skills. You become proficient in areas such as human cognition, learning, intelligence, individual development, abnormal psychology, and mental health conditions. Furthermore, you develop skills in research and report writing, life coaching, psychological assessment, and statistical analysis.

The postgraduate course is a potential foundation for a career as a practicing psychologist or psychology researcher. If you decide to continue your studies, you will be on a well-defined pathway to become a registered psychologist.

Job opportunities after graduation include working in fields such as mental health support, case management, corporate communications, and program management. Each area values abilities you develop through a psychology degree, including an understanding of human behaviour, problem-solving skills, and effective communication.

Source: Jobs with a Psychology Degree in Australia

What You’ll Study (Course Structure)

The program usually consists of 10 subjects. While each university adheres to national standards, creating a level of uniformity, there’s room for variation. You’ll find core subjects like an introduction to psychology, research methods, human development, social psychology, and individual differences in most programs.

However, every university has its unique areas of emphasis. You can pick a program that aligns more closely with your personal interests and career goals. Nonetheless, all programs aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of psychology that will be valuable in a wide range of professional contexts.

Learning Outcomes

As a foundational or bridging course, a GradDipPsych provides a broad spectrum of knowledge across key areas in the field. Coursework covers lifespan psychology, personality and social psychology, as well as abnormal psychology.

Graduates also gain an appreciation for ethics in psychological practice and acquire the skill to apply a psychologist’s perspective to problem-solving. Here are some more specific learning outcomes you can expect:

Apply diagnostic criteria to psychological disorders using the DSM-5.
Explain how psychological intervention strategies can be used in various contexts.
Source, analyse, and present findings from cognitive psychology research.
Generate solutions to research questions using data.
Understand biological psychology and mechanisms of the nervous system.
Apply key theories of social psychology to significant societal challenges.
Demonstrate knowledge of various counselling approaches and methods.

Career Opportunities

With a bachelor’s degree in one discipline plus the equivalent of a psychology degree, you’re highly qualified to pursue many different careers. Apart from the role of psychologist that may come with further study, psychology training is especially useful in the following occupations.

Case manager

A psychology qualification and some field experience sets you up to work as a case manager. You can work in sectors such as youth support, aged care, victim support, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, child and family, and migrant support.

Communications specialist

Psychology study positions you to work in communications by developing writing, verbal communication, messaging, active listening, interviewing and research skills. Jobs include community liaison officer and public relations officer.

Human resources manager

With excellent communication and organisational skills, coupled with strong interpersonal skills, a career in human resource management beckons. Job examples are HR assistant, HR officer, and human resources manager.

Public administration

Many jobs in the public service require the same general set of skills you gain by studying psychology, including research and report writing, communication skills, and statistical analysis. Look for graduate programs to get started.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for a Graduate Diploma in Psychology online course are essentially that you have a bachelor degree or equivalent or higher qualification. Your undergraduate degree should normally be in a discipline other than Psychology.

English language proficiency requirements also apply if you are from a non-English speaking country. Program participants must be proficient at listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. Australian citizens are eligible for FEE-HELP loans to cover tuition fees.

Graduate Certificate in Psychology

The Graduate Certificate in Psychology offers a shorter, flexible option for gaining an introduction to the field. It covers four subjects, allowing students to explore foundational topics in psychological science.

For those who later choose to expand their studies, the graduate certificate provides a stepping stone. Credits from the grad cert can typically be applied toward the grad dip. There is no real drawback from starting with this course.

Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) is the next step in the sequence towards becoming a registered psychologist and clinical psychologist.

Just as the regular graduate diploma is equivalent to a 3-year undergraduate degree, the advanced course corresponds with an honours (4th) year of bachelor studies. The advanced grad dip consists of coursework and research. You need distinction grades for entry.

How to Become a Psychologist

To become a registered psychologist in Australia, you need to complete a defined sequence of study and training. The sequence essentially has three steps. Further specialist training may also be needed to become a clinical psychologist.

Step 1: Bachelor of Psychology OR Graduate Diploma of Psychology

If you have a bachelor degree in a non-Psychology field, your first step is a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (GDP).

Step 2: Honours year OR Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)

Having successfully completed Step 1 with good grades, you’re eligible for the second step: “fourth year” psychology with honours. This could be an on-campus honours program. Alternatively, you can do an online Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) (GDPA).

Step 3: Two or more years of postgraduate education and training

Before you can apply for general registration as a psychologist in Australia, you need further education and training. Options include a one-year Master of Professional Psychology (MPsych) followed by one-year of supervised practice OR a two-year MPsych program that includes work placements OR a doctoral program of either: (i) a combined MPsych and PhD or (ii) a professional doctorate (DPsych).