100% Online
100% Online
Learning Mode
Postgraduate
Qualification
20 Months Full-Time
Duration
Mar, Jul, Nov
Start Dates
10
Units
$3,823*
Fees Per Unit
Swinburne Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology provides foundational knowledge in human behaviour alongside practical skills in research and critical thinking.
Whether you’re looking to change your career or simply gain professional insight into human nature, you’ll build the same APAC–accredited foundations as a three–year undergraduate psychology degree, giving you the credentials to continue your journey towards registration.
If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in any field and are looking to transition into psychology, this course can help take you further. Whether you’re on a pathway to becoming a registered psychologist or exploring roles in mental health, community services or counselling, it provides a strong foundation for further study or psychology‑related work. With academic depth and industry relevance, it’s perfect for career-changers, return-to-work professionals, and anyone ready to go even further into the world of psychology.
How you’ll study
‘The flexibility to study at my own pace and my own time was perfect and allowed me to finish my degree in around 3 years, using every [teaching period] I could.’
Jacob, Swinburne Online graduate
Psychology careers will be in high demand in the future, with a 13.3% increase expected in the next 5 years. (SEEK 2026)
We’re ranked 24th for the Young University Rankings 2024 – a list of the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger.
We’re ranked 24th for the Young University Rankings 2024 – a list of the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger.
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Psychology students must complete 125 credit points comprising of:
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Psychology students must complete 125 credit points comprising of:
Volume of Learning
The Graduate Diploma of Psychology consists of a total of 125 credit points. All units carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises eight (8) units (100 cps), and a standard annual part-time load comprises four (4) units (50 cps). The volume of learning of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology is typically 18 months.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology is 62.5 credit points (normally five units).
To gain entry into this course, applicants must have one of the following:
If you are applying as an international student, please view the English language requirements.
We have plenty of resources to help with your queries.
To gain entry into this course, applicants must have one of the following:
If you are applying as an international student, please view the English language requirements.
We have plenty of resources to help with your queries.
*Note: Unit fees may change each year.
There are a variety of Swinburne Scholarships to help reduce your costs.
Scholarships are available for both new and current students.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarships
There are a range of scholarships available to support Indigenous students in minimising the costs of study materials, accommodation, relocation and more.
How it works:
Please contact our Course Consultants to find out if you’re eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.
For more details on scholarships and financial support, visit the Swinburne website or speak with our Course Consultant team today!
For more details on scholarships and financial support, visit the Swinburne website or speak with our Course Consultant team today!
Swinburne Online's Graduate Diploma of Psychology prepares you for further study towards professional registration. It also opens pathways into entry-level roles in mental health, community services, and behavioural support. Here’s what you could do – and what you might earn (jobs taken from Seek Australia).
Help clients with diverse mental health needs access care and navigate support systems. Mental Health Support Workers also provide emotional, practical, and psychosocial support to individuals living with mental illness, aiding their recovery and independence.
Help clients with diverse mental health needs access care and navigate support systems. Mental Health Support Workers also provide emotional, practical, and psychosocial support to individuals living with mental illness, aiding their recovery and independence.
Help individuals modify or change their behaviors to improve their overall well-being and quality of life. They work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, addressing a wide range of behavioral issues through various therapeutic approaches.
Help individuals modify or change their behaviors to improve their overall well-being and quality of life. They work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, addressing a wide range of behavioral issues through various therapeutic approaches.
Case managers work to support individuals and families. They coordinate and oversee the overall care plan for individuals, often in more complex situations.
Case managers work to support individuals and families. They coordinate and oversee the overall care plan for individuals, often in more complex situations.
Intake workers support individuals and families by acting as the primary point of contact for those entering mental health services. They conduct initial psychosocial assessments to determine service eligibility, triage clinical needs based on risk and urgency, and facilitate referrals to appropriate practitioners.
Intake workers support individuals and families by acting as the primary point of contact for those entering mental health services. They conduct initial psychosocial assessments to determine service eligibility, triage clinical needs based on risk and urgency, and facilitate referrals to appropriate practitioners.
Support clients by helping them to develop evidence-based, person-centred psychological support to help individuals manage behavioural, emotional, and mental health challenges.
Support clients by helping them to develop evidence-based, person-centred psychological support to help individuals manage behavioural, emotional, and mental health challenges.
Work with individuals with disabilities who may exhibit challenging behaviors, aiming to improve their quality of life and reduce these behaviors. They assess the causes of these behaviors, develop and implement behavior support plans, and provide guidance to support teams.
Work with individuals with disabilities who may exhibit challenging behaviors, aiming to improve their quality of life and reduce these behaviors. They assess the causes of these behaviors, develop and implement behavior support plans, and provide guidance to support teams.
After this, you can register as a general psychologist and start practicing.
Each degree is thoughtfully designed for online learning, ensuring your experience is fulfilling and supported. At Swinburne Online, we want to ensure that your journey with us is a success. Our team of academic and online experts have developed engaging, media-rich course materials using cutting-edge digital technology and advanced teaching resources.
Canvas is Swinburne’s online platform where all your classwork will take place. You can log into Canvas anywhere, anytime!
What you’ll use Canvas for:
Think of the Student Hub as your online campus where you will be able to:
You are supported at every stage of your journey with Swinburne Online.
You’ll have access to:
If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student, you can access dedicated support through Swinburne’s Moondani Toombadool Centre.
Moondani Toombadool means ‘embracing teaching and learning’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri People!
Support available includes:
Learn more about the Moondani Toombadool Centre.
Download a course guide
The suite of Swinburne Online Business degrees provides students with the opportunity to forge connections within the industry. Students hear from industry leaders and work with real-life clients with demonstrated experience within their respective fields, such as SEEK.
