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Monash University

Diploma of Psychology

Course code: 2193 ~ Course abbreviation: DipPsychology ~ Total credit points required: 60 ~ 3 years part-time (concurrent with a Monash undergraduate degree) ~ Managing faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield - P/T only; Clayton - P/T only)

Off-campus (Caulfield - P/T only; Clayton - P/T only)

Course description

This course is offered to undergraduates who wish to complete an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited undergraduate major in psychology while undertaking a concurrent Monash undergraduate degree. The course is available only to students enrolled in degrees where it is not possible to study the 60-point APAC-accredited major sequence. Students must enrol in the diploma in their first year, or not later than the first semester of the second year of their concurrent degree.

Course objectives

The principal objective of this course is that students will acquire a basic understanding of psychology as an empirical science. The School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine has adopted the scientist-practitioner model; that is, professional practice is grounded in the scientific view of the discipline.

Other objectives of this course are identical to those of the existing major sequence in psychology. Students will: be able to select and use the appropriate statistical analyses and research design methods required to prepare psychological laboratory reports; be able to demonstrate the computer skills required for the use and understanding of the computer packages associated with the statistical and multimedia content of the course; be exposed to the diversity of topic areas covered within the discipline of psychology (ie history and philosophy of psychology, sensation and perception, learning and memory, personality and intelligence, abnormal psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, biological psychology, organisational psychology); understand the theoretical background to, construction of, administration of, and interpretation of psychological tests and assessment procedures; have an understanding of the ethical and professional responsibilities required to pursue a career in psychology.

Course structure

The course structure is identical to the 60-point undergraduate major sequence in psychology in which students must complete 10 six-point units (nine core units and one elective unit).

Off-campus learning students must complete the required minimum hours of on-campus weekend school laboratory for each unit.

Course requirements

First year

Second year

  • PSY2031 Developmental and biological psychology
  • PSY2042 Cognitive and social psychology
  • PSY2051 Research design and analysis

Third year

  • PSY3032 Abnormal psychology
  • PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
  • PSY3051 Perception and personality
  • PSY3062 Research methods and theory

Elective units

Students may take the elective unit at second or third year. Some third-year electives may be undertaken at second year, providing prerequisites and corequisites are met. The electives offered may vary from year to year depending on staff availability. Some electives are available by off-campus learning mode.

Second year
Third year
  • PSY3100 Advanced psychobiology: brain and behaviour
  • PSY3120 Introduction to counselling
  • PSY3130 Health psychology
  • PSY3150 Contemporary social psychology
  • PSY3160 Psychology of language
  • PSY3170 Decision making in professional settings
  • PSY3180 Human neuropsychology: developmental and neurodegenerative disorders
  • PSY3190 Addiction studies
  • PSY3210 Advanced leadership
  • PSY3230 Psychological foundations of the law

Course progression requirements

Students completing a degree with a 60-point APAC-accredited undergraduate major sequence in psychology will be eligible to apply for entry to a fourth year in psychology through an honours year, or the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology. Masters and doctoral degrees are available by coursework and/or research after completion of a fourth year of study in psychology.

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9903 2691 (Caulfield), +61 3 9905 3968 (Clayton)