Graduate Diploma of Psychology Online (Bridging)

Why Psychology with JCU?

Backed by 50 years of experience in teaching and research in psychology, JCU’s 100% Online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is APAC accredited and will help you develop your skills and reach your career goals.

100% online & part-time

Fast-track your career with flexible study you can balance around your life. Study one subject at a time and complete your degree in as little as 20 months part-time.

APAC Accredited

Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

#1 for Median Salary 

JCU has been ranked #1 in Australia for Median Salary, Postgraduate Psychology by the 2023 Good Universities Guide.

Program Highlights

  • Understand contemporary psychology disciplines.
  • Gain confidence using data and technology.
  • Develop a global perspective aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Fast-track your career with 100% online study.
  • Be supported by a dedicated Student Success Advisor.
  • Begin the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist.
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Grad Dip of Psychology Overview

JCU online Graduate

A pragmatic and versatile qualification

The JCU Online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is a contemporary and hands-on qualification designed for the future. It provides the foundational knowledge of the history of psychology and develops your professional skills to apply contemporary psychology to solve community-based challenges.

 

A stepping stone to becoming a registered psychologist

This qualification is a pathway to further study for those who want to change their career to become a psychologist. This may include career pathways such as general or clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology and organisational psychology.

 

A way forward in human-centred professions

This degree is also for professionals in human-centred occupations who are focused on career growth and want the skills to help them achieve more in current and future roles. This may include teaching, human resources, marketing, counselling and consulting.

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

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What you will study

You will study a broad scope of subjects unique to the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) at JCU Online, including Environmental Psychology and Health, Wellbeing & Resilience and more. These subjects align to the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as current and emerging global health challenges in a technology-enabled society.

Study 10 online subjects over at least 20 months, which you can commence at any of the six study periods throughout the year.

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*Duration dependent on individual study path and subject availability. Please speak to an Enrolment Advisor for more information.

Subjects
  • Social Psychology
    This subject provides a historical and contemporary overview of social psychology, introducing key theories used to explain and predict people's thoughts, feelings and actions in social situations. Read more
  • Individual Differences in Personality
    This subject explores historical, contemporary and emerging theoretical approaches to personality. Read more
  • The Psychology of Health, Wellbeing and Resilience
    This subject explores the field of health psychology, including global health issues, chronic disease and biopsychosocial determinants of health, wellbeing and resilience. Read more
  • Human Development Across the Lifespan
    This subject examines the human experience of life and the physical, cognitive and social-emotional changes which occur across the lifespan. Read more
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
    This subject introduces empirical approaches to understanding maladaptive behaviour, psychosocial disorders and dysfunctions. Read more
  • Learning, Memory Cognition and Language
    This subject explores key theories and research on how information from the environment is acquired, stored, processed, retrieved and utilised. Read more
  • Neuroscience and the Biological Bases of Behaviour
    This subject introduces key theories and concepts relevant to the biological basis of behaviour. Read more
  • Environmental Psychology and Sustainable Futures
    The subject examines the role that psychology may play in developing sustainable futures. Read more
  • Principles of Counselling
    This subject introduces the theories and practice of counselling in a multicultural society. Read more
  • Research and Statistics for Psychology
    This subject will explore the research process and some of the most commonly used methods of statistical analysis relevant to psychological research. Read more

Course information

This degree can be the first stepping stone in the path to becoming a practising psychologist. Alternatively, students may use this degree to complement their current roles in a range of industries including marketing, human resources, education, human services and counselling.

  • Entry Requirements
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Career Outcomes
  • Inherent Requirements
Entry Requirements

To be eligible to enrol in the online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging), applicants must have:

  • Completed a minimum of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in any field other than Psychology at this or another University.
  • Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1– Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Not sure if you meet these entry criteria? Our Enrolment Advisors can assist you.

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Learning Outcomes

After completing your Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging), you will be able to:

  • Integrate and apply a coherent body of knowledge and skills in major theoretical perspectives, philosophical and historical developments in core areas of psychology
  • Work collaboratively and independently to design, evaluate and disseminate information and initiatives to promote and optimize mental health, resilience and well being in culturally diverse and geographically dispersed contexts.
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Career Outcomes

After completing your Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging), you may choose to continue your studies to become a registered psychologist. This can include career pathways such as:

  • General or clinical psychology
  • Clinical neuropsychology
  • Forensic psychology
  • Organisational psychology

If you choose not to pursue further study or a career in psychology, this degree can empower you to find employment across a variety of industries such as:

  • Business
  • Community services
  • Education
  • Health services
  • Protective services

Within these industries some possible roles for graduates are outlined below. Although several of these roles do not require a formal qualification in psychology, entry into these occupations may be improved if you have a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging):

  • Case manager
  • Care worker
  • School counsellor
  • Human resources officer
  • Marketing specialist
  • Secondary school psychology teacher
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Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession.

All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course.

Pathway to becoming a Registered Psychologist

Pathway diagram to becoming a Registered Psychologist

Meet Our Psychology Academics

Our passionate academics will empower you to succeed in a world where the scope of psychology is widening.

Nested qualifications: Early entry & exit options

If you need to finish your study early, you may still qualify for a Graduate Certificate of Psychology. Get in touch with an Enrolment Advisor to find out more.

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Psychology nested qualification graph Psychology nested qualification graph

Your personalised Enrolment Advisor

The role of an Enrolment Advisor is to ensure that you have all the resources and academic support needed to be successful in your studies.

Enrolments Advisors are here to help you with:

  • Determining your eligibility for the course.
  • Understanding the structure of your course and what you can expect to learn.
  • Time management strategies for success.
  • How to apply for financial assistance and FEE-HELP.
  • Any questions you have about your application.

Contact hours for your Enrolment Advisor 

Monday and Tuesday: 8am-6pm (AEST)
Wednesday and Thursday: 8am-7pm (AEST)
Friday: 8am - 5pm (AEST)

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You might also be interested in:

Graduate Certificate of Psychology

Ready to get started?

Download a course guide

For more detailed and up-to-date information about your degree, including:

  • Information about the course
  • Course duration
  • Fees
  • Course descriptions
  • What to expect from the course
Download course guide

Speak with an Enrolment Advisor

Investing in the right course for you is important to us and we’re here to help. Simply request a call back and will assist you with:

  • Entry requirements
  • Choosing right course
  • How to apply and enrol
  • How online study works
  • Course duration and fees
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Frequently Asked Questions

Study online vs on-campus: which is better for psychology graduates?
When you study with JCU Online, you will receive the same high quality of education that you would on campus. Upon completing the online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging), you will gain the same qualification and certificate as on-campus students. You will also have the opportunity to attend an in-person graduation ceremony, so you can celebrate your achievements with your friends and family. No matter whether you choose to study with us online or on-campus, you will gain an APAC-accredited degree and benefit from our 50 years of experience in teaching and research in psychology.
Can I complete this degree to increase my GPA to gain entry to a fourth-year psychology course?
Yes, if your GPA was not high enough to get into a fourth-year course, you can study the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) and attempt to graduate with a higher GPA. However, you may want to reach out to the university where you completed your undergraduate degree so you can find out if they have another option for you. If you are interested in studying psychology with JCU Online, please refer to the entry requirements above.
Can I gain Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for psychology subjects I studied in my undergraduate degree?
No, you will not be able to gain RPL for undergraduate psychology subjects because they are not at the same AQF level as our Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging).
Can I enrol in multiple subjects to complete my studies even faster?
Students can enrol in multiple subjects per study period, however it is not recommended. Enrolling in two subjects at once means your recommended study hours will be minimum 40 hours per week. In addition, due to the way our subjects are scheduled across study periods, you may have to take a forced break, which means you would not graduate sooner.
How long does it take to become a psychologist?
Depending on which pathway you choose to follow, it can take between six to eight years to become a registered psychologist. JCU Online's Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) takes minimum 20 months to complete and is equivalent to a Bachelor of Psychological Science which usually takes three years to complete. You can find more information on the Pathway to Becoming a Registered Psychologist above.
What does 'Bridging' in the course title mean?
Our course is specifically designed for students who have not studied psychology before. It is equivalent to a three-year Bachelor of Psychological Science, so the 'bridging' in the title refers to the way this degree bridges the gap between an unrelated undergraduate degree and further study in psychology.
What can you do with a psychology degree?
After completing your Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging), you may choose to continue your studies to become a registered psychologist by completing an accredited fourth-year program providing a pathway to either general or clinical registration. If you choose not to pursue further study or a career in psychology, the skills you can in this course can be useful to a variety of industries including business, community services, education, health services and protective services.
Can I become a psychiatrist after gaining a psychology degree?
No, a psychology degree will not qualify you to become a psychiatrist. In order to become a psychiatrist, you will need to complete a medical degree followed by a medical internship and further study.