This diploma gives you the opportunity to explore psychological sciences and gain perspectives from practising psychologists, academics, and industry thought leaders. 

Through study in this diploma, you will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the broad foundational theory in psychology and an ability to apply that knowledge in various real-world settings using a scientific approach. You will learn to communicate interpersonally in an effective, culturally appropriate and sensitive way through a broad range of mediums (written, electronic, graphic, oral) with individuals of diverse backgrounds and values.

You will learn to critique theory and apply evidence-based knowledge to conceptualise and solve problems in a variety of contexts, independently and collaboratively. As a graduate, you will be able to reflexively implement the values and ethics of psychology through scientific enquiry that is tolerant and respectful of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and values. Further, you'll generate and evaluate complex solutions in the autonomous pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.

Designed with subject matter experts with years of industry experience, including:

Professor Jane Burns
Professor Jane Burns has over two decades of experience in mental health and suicide prevention. Her interests include digital health solutions, workplace wellbeing, suicide prevention and women in leadership.

Dr Amantha Imber
Dr Amantha Imber is an organisational psychologist and founder of behaviour science consultancy Inventium. She has worked with many companies, such as Google, Apple and Disney, to help reinvent the way they approach their work.

24 months part-time.

Note: Completion of this program in 2 years (24 months) means studying an average of 5 courses over four teaching periods. If you choose to study part-time with a 50% study load, you'll complete this program in 2.5 years (30 months).

Students undertaking this diploma can expect 10-12 hours of study per week, with each term comprising of 10 weeks.

Fundamentals of Psychology 1

This subject is one of two introductory psychology subjects providing foundational knowledge of the primary subdisciplines of psychology. Topics covered include biological bases of behaviour; learning and memory; emotion and motivation, and developmental psychology. You’ll also be introduced to research methods and their applications.

Fundamentals of Psychology 2 

This subject is one of two introductory psychology subjects providing an introduction and critical review of major theories of psychology including personality, psychopathology, social psychology, and cross-cultural psychology. You’ll gain an introduction to scientific psychology, the theories of personality, perspectives and classification of psychological disorders, social influence and pro-social behaviour, and cultural differences applied to psychological theory and practice. As part of this subjects, you’ll also be introduced to and apply the basic elements of research methods.

Developmental and Social Psychology

Explore social behaviour and human development including perceptual-motor, psychosocial, and cognitive development. You’ll critically examine social behaviour and explore extensive applications of social psychological principles to real world problems including prejudice, safe sex behaviour, divorce, media violence, and environmental problems. Learn how to apply both theoretical and practical methodological issues central to social psychological research.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

This subject will introduce you to the theory, research and methods underlying modern cognitive psychology and biological psychology. The cognitive psychology aspect canvasses underlying cognitive processes (e.g., memory, attention, perception) as well as more complex, high-level procedures, such as problem solving, intelligence and decision making. You will evaluate the most important applications of cognitive psychological research and key underlying theories. The biological psychology aspect will involve the application of knowledge of the biological basis of behaviour across a range of topic areas including neurotransmission; sleep and biological rhythms; hormones and behaviour; behaviour and genetics; the biological basis of memory; psychopharmacology; and the biology of abnormal behaviour.

Exploring Research in Psychology

Be introduced to major methodological principles and data analysis techniques used in the scientific research of applied human research. Review and analyse research designs and measurement techniques. Apply a range of data analysis techniques across commonly available data packages.

Counselling and Professional Practices

This work integrated learning (WIL) subject focuses on the professional practice of psychology in society and organisations by simulating current workplace practices, processes, and environments. You will investigate and critically analyse the different ways in which psychologists contribute to society and help you prepare for your graduation from the program, and entry into the workplace or clinical training. The subject will use real world scenarios and apply industry processes and methods to support you in developing and reflect on evidence-based counselling practices. You will explore cross-cultural issues and the importance of intercultural diversity and indigenous contributions and how they inform approaches to counselling.

Mental Health and Psychological Interventions

This subject introduces the study of abnormal psychology. The concept of abnormality will be examined and issues related to the classification of psychological disorders will be explored. The descriptive taxonomy of the DSM-5 will be introduced and aetiological models and diagnosis of selected child, adolescent and adult disorders will be examined. Disorders may include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. A variety of contrasting theoretical models underlying psychological intervention will be examined to facilitate understanding of approaches and techniques of psychological intervention used by psychologists.

Personality and Assessment in Psychology

Evaluate and apply different theoretical models of individual preferences, and evaluate assessment procedures, ethical, and professional issues in psychological assessment. Learn to apply the scientist-practitioner model to evaluate your own perspectives on individual differences and evaluate assessment instruments by applying knowledge of psychometric theory. The subject also considers key historical and philosophical influences underlying psychology, as well as more recent trends in thinking.

Option courses

For these option courses, you will choose two out of the three following courses:

Psychology of Motivation and Work 

The questions of what drives us and how to motivate peak performance among individuals, groups and organisations have become critical in contemporary work, education and sporting contexts. Apply theories and research into human motivation, examining topics that include drivers and instincts, volitional behaviour, self-control, self-regulation, and the interactions between motivation, emotion, learning, and behaviour change. Devise and evaluate empirically supported strategies for goal-setting and achievement, drawing from cognitive-behavioural, positive psychology, and other evidence-based models. Investigate and analyse the ways in which individuals and groups function in organisations and the impact of the organisational environment, including the dynamics of working in a multicultural society. 

Health and Wellbeing Psychology

In this course, you’ll critically evaluate the theory and application of health psychology, a field aiming to reduce harmful health behaviours including poor dietary habits, smoking, physical inactivity, as well as alcohol and other drug abuse. Risk factors associated with a variety of chronic health conditions will also be examined such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and chronic pain, and appropriate evidence-based interventions for individuals and populations at risk of developing them

Applied Telehealth and Virtual Care

In this course, you’ll analyse the nature and scope of contemporary telehealth and virtual care models as well as emerging technological developments. By reviewing recent innovations, you’ll investigate issues associated with the use of telehealth and virtual care including human connection, privacy and security, ethics and governance. You’ll also draw from your professional experience to complete the assessment tasks. 

• An Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification, from a recognised tertiary institution.

If you’ve completed an APAC accredited psychology degree within the last 10 years, you are not normally eligible for this program.

A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent. International students are required to provide current evidence of

English language proficiency for admission to RMIT University. You can provide your results from one of these three options:

• An accepted English language proficiency test, or
• An accepted English language provider, or
• A recognised Australian or international qualification.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit the English language requirements and equivalency information.