Professional recognition

Yes, ECU offers three postgraduate psychology programs which can be completed 100% online. These are the Graduate Certificate of Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) and Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology will build your foundational knowledge of psychology, human development and behaviour. It is equivalent to an undergraduate degree with a major in psychology. This degree can be the first step in becoming a registered psychologist. Alternatively, you can use the skills you gain in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology in human-centred fields like education, marketing and human resource management.

After successfully completing your Graduate Diploma of Psychology, you can continue your studies towards becoming a registered psychologist by studying a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). Alternatively, you can apply the skills you gain in this degree in human-centred fields like education, marketing and human resource management.

Training to become a registered psychologist requires (the equivalent of) 6 years of full time study and supervised practice. The first step in the pathway is an APAC-accredited three-year undergraduate sequence, or a postgraduate bridging program like ECU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology. Upon completion, you can complete a fourth year program like the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). Upon successfully completing your fourth year program, you can enrol into a Higher degree or 5+1 pathway course and apply for provisional registration. As a provisionally registered psychologist you need to complete either the Higher degree or 5+1 pathway, including supervised practice in the workplace, in order to gain general registration as a psychologist. Learn more about how to become a psychologist on our blog.

If you do not have an undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate of Psychology if you have at least five years of relevant work experience. Upon successfully completing your graduate certificate, you can use that as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and relates to understanding the behaviour of individuals and groups in societies. It can be applied in many different areas, not just mental health. Psychologists are trained in diagnosis and assessment of mental health issues. To become a registered psychologist, you will require at least six years of study and will need to fulfil APAC’s professional and education requirements.

Counselling takes a more person-centred approach. Counsellors help people identify and effectively respond to emotional challenges. Counsellors do not need specific qualifications, however to gain accreditation with the Australian Counselling Association, you are required to have a relevant qualification.

Learn more about the difference between counselling and psychology on our blog.

Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology is a bridging qualification that is the first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. It is designed for students who have not studied psychology before and is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology. It will build your foundational understanding of psychological science.

Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) is the next step towards becoming a registered psychologist. It is designed for students who have already achieved either a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology or a postgraduate bridging program. It will expand your understanding of psychological science and build your pre-professional skills.

Yes, ECU's Graduate Diploma of Psychology is APAC accredited.

Graduate diplomas are postgraduate qualifications designed to provide specialised knowledge and applied skills in a condensed timeframe. They allow students to deepen their expertise in a specific field without committing to a full master’s degree. In psychology, a graduate diploma equips students with foundational and advanced concepts in human behaviour, development, and mental health, enhancing career prospects and providing a pathway toward further postgraduate study. The ECU Graduate Diploma of Psychology Online builds foundational knowledge of psychological science and human development while preparing students for future steps toward professional registration. It is an excellent option for those looking to advance their skills through psychology courses online and graduate diplomas in psychology.

Admission to a graduate diploma in psychology generally requires completion of an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field, and sometimes relevant professional experience. Programs are structured to ensure students have the foundational knowledge needed for advanced study in psychological science. For the ECU Graduate Diploma of Psychology Online, applicants should have completed prior tertiary study in psychology or a related discipline to engage effectively with the curriculum. This ensures readiness for study for psychology at a postgraduate level and maximises the value of the psychology graduate diploma.