1999 Science Handbook - Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

General information
Study of single components
Attendance requirements
Admission requirements
Unsatisfactory progress
Course structure
- Year one
- Year two

General information

Gippsland campus
The course is offered by the Gippsland section of the Department of Psychology as a two-year part-time distance education program for students who hold a first degree with a major in psychology.
The course provides an introduction to the professional practice of psychology and aims to establish a foundation of knowledge in counselling and related disciplines. The guiding orientation of the course is towards helping individuals with socio-emotional problems and includes the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological difficulties other than psychotic illness, and the promotion and maintenance of psychological well-being.
The content of the course is designed for individuals wishing to work in the field of counselling psychology and community development. The course is particularly relevant for people working in community health centres, community welfare agencies and educational establishments.

Study of single components

Graduates with an APS accredited fourth-year degree in psychology, or who are currently registered psychologists, may apply to undertake components of the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology. This is designed to enable fourth-year graduates to meet specific Registration Board requirements, or for currently practising psychologists to undertake studies in specific professional components for continuing education purposes. It is not intended as an alternative form of entry to fourth year. Entry is subject to quota limitations, and admission to one component does not confer rights to complete other components. GAS4510 (Research project A) and GAS4511 (Research project B) are only available to those students undertaking the complete course. Applicants should include evidence of eligibility and a letter describing the reasons for wishing to complete the component.

Attendance requirements

Students are required to attend a five-day residential program on the Gippsland campus each semester. The residential schools are devoted to counselling and other experiential components of the curriculum, and attendance is compulsory. The residential schools are normally held in April and July.

Admission requirements

Admission to the course is open to applicants who possess a bachelors degree with a major in psychology from any course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society. Applicants are required to have a sound knowledge of abnormal psychology.

Unsatisfactory progress

Students will be liable for exclusion if they do not pass at least two subjects per year (except where two or fewer subjects remain to complete the degree and one is failed and is the only failure to date).

Course structure

The normal course structure for completing the course in minimum time is listed below. The subjects GAS4501, GAS4502, GAS4503, GAS4504 and GAS4505 each contribute 12% to the total mark, and GAS4510 and GAS4511 together contribute 40% to the total mark. The subjects are described in the chapter 'Subjects'.

Year one

GAS4501 Counselling theory and practice A
GAS4502 Research methods in professional psychology
GAS4503 Psychological assessment
GAS4510 Research project A

Year two

GAS4504 Ethics of professional practice
GAS4505 Counselling theory and practice B
GAS4511 Research project B

To qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology a student shall (a) complete all the prescribed seven subjects of study; and (b) attend four residential schools of five days duration over the two-year period of the course.
In accordance with usual policy the Australian Psychological Society (APsS) has given provisional accreditation for the teaching of this course in the distance education mode.
Further details may be obtained from the administrative officer, Department of Psychology, Gippsland campus.