Title: Accredited psychology programs in Australia
Author: Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
About
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) provides a searchable list of accredited psychology courses across Australia. APAC’s list serves as an authoritative resource for identifying psychology programs that meet the required standards for accreditation.
The Council ensures these qualifications offer the appropriate educational quality necessary for future practice in the psychology field. APAC accredits both on-campus and online courses and includes important information such as the program title, study level, provider, and accreditation status.
APAC's comprehensive list includes a range of accredited degrees, which aids prospective students and professionals in verifying the recognition of their chosen course. The information is kept current and reflects changes in the accreditation status of programs due to ongoing reviews.
Author
APAC is the body charged with accrediting psychology education programs in Australia. It ensures courses prepare students for professional practice in psychology and meet the criteria set forth by the national standards.
Key Takeaways
- APAC's list includes all accredited psychology courses in Australia.
- Programs are listed with their accreditation status, which is essential for enrolment and future practice.
- The accreditation process by APAC covers both online and on-campus versions.
- Students and professionals can use the list to confirm if a program is currently accredited.
- The document indicates the essential role of APAC in the professional pathway of psychologists in Australia.
Pathways to Professional Practice
There are multiple pathways to become a psychologist in Australia. APAC's course lists and search tool can help you find the right programs to qualify for practice. The list validates courses against professional standards. It includes program title, study level, provider, and accreditation status, aiding in selecting recognised courses.
Accreditation by APAC ensures courses prepare students for psychology practice. It covers essential theory and practical skills. This is vital for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, directing students towards respected qualifications.
The search tool simplifies finding accredited courses, including online and specialised options. This supports a clear path to becoming a psychologist, meeting educational and professional requirements.
Online Bachelor Degrees Around Australia
We performed a search for Level 1 programs, with the "online" study mode and a keyword of "Bachelor". We also excluded "teach out" and "discontinued" course results.
The search produced a list of 50 online bachelor degrees in psychology from 18 providers. As well as "Bachelor of Psychology" and "Bachelor of Psychological Science", a range of dual and specialised qualifications are available. These include combinations with law, criminology, business, and counselling.
Each program listed is accredited by APAC, ensuring that they meet the rigorous standards required for the practice of psychology. The accreditation status is prominently noted, with the majority of programs being fully accredited without conditions, signifying their full compliance with APAC's criteria.
Related: Bachelor of Psychology Online Courses
Psychology Honours Programs in Australia
Our search for Level 2 degrees within Australia was specifically aimed at Psychology Honours Programs, excluding graduate diplomas, master's courses, and programs offered outside of Australia.
- Degrees offered: There are 28 unique honours degrees in psychology, with the most common program titles being Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours), and Bachelor of Arts (Honours).
- Provider diversity: 40 universities and other providers across Australia offer these programs, demonstrating widespread availability.
- Geographical reach: Courses are distributed across states, with the highest numbers in Victoria (26 programs), followed by New South Wales (23), Queensland (15), Western Australia (9), South Australia (5), the Australian Capital Territory (4), Tasmania (2), and the Northern Territory (1).
Related: 4th Year Psychology Online Courses
Online Master of Professional Psychology
Online Master of Professional Psychology programs are APAC accredited, aimed at provisionally registered psychologists after their fourth year of study. These one-year full-time or two-year part-time programs lead to general registration with the PsyBA, after a one-year internship and the registration exam.
Eight institutions across Australia offer this program online. These include CQUniversity, Charles Sturt University (offering a general path and a School Psychology specialisation), La Trobe University, Monash University, Southern Cross University, Cairnmillar Institute, University of New England, and the University of Southern Queensland. Accreditation is either "without conditions" or "with conditions," ensuring each program meets APAC's standards for professional psychology practice.
The courses blend online learning with required on-campus sessions for clinical simulations, workshops, and off-campus work placements. Core units across all providers include Psychopathology and Formulation, Professional Practice in Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Interventions, Research Evaluation, Clinical Placements, Ethics and Practice, and Evidence-Based Practice.
Related: Masters of Professional Psychology Online
Doctoral Programs
You can choose between 37 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology programs and 6 Doctor of Psychology (PsyD or DPsych) programs. Clinical Psychology leads with 26 courses. Following are Clinical Neuropsychology (5 programs), Educational and Developmental (3), Organisational (3), Forensic (2), Sport and Exercise (2), Counselling (1), and Health (1). No programs in Community Counselling exist.
The programs are spread across states. New South Wales and Victoria offer a wide range, including Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology. Other states provide diverse options too. Using the APAC search tool, you have find these programs by filtering for Level 3-4.
Related: PhD in Psychology and PsyD Programs