Graduate Diploma in Social Science - Bridging Program in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology at UNE offers an APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) accredited bridging program (see http://www.apac.psychology.org.au/) for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree that did not include an accredited Psychology sequence. The Graduate Diploma in Social Science (GDSS) enables a student to obtain an accredited three year sequence without undertaking another full degree. Provided the program is structured according to the pattern described below, and performance reaches a suitable level, it can be used to qualify for entry into either our Honours program or our Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. The GDSS normally requires 10 units of study although this may be reduced to 8 units if exemption from first year units is granted. The period of study is usually part time over 2 to 3 years.
Program of study for the three-year accredited major.
The accredited major was changed in 2009. For students who commenced their GDSS in 2009 onwards the accredited program of study is:
- Complete PSYC101 and PSYC102 or seek exemption on the basis of previous study in psychology or a related area.
- Complete PSYC200, PSYC202, PSYC206 and PSYC213.
- Complete PSYC301, PSYC302, PSYC366, and one additional 300-level PSYC unit.
For students who commenced their GDSS prior to 2009 the accredited program of study is:
- Complete PSYC101 and PSYC102 or seek exemption on the basis of previous study in psychology or a related area.
- Complete three 200-level PSYC units, including PSYC202 (Research Methods and Statistics).
- Complete four 300-level PSYC units, including PSYC302 (Advanced Research Methods and Statistics).
- Complete one additional PSYC unit at either 200-level or 300-level.
Grades required for entry into the Honours program.
To be eligible for entry into Honours, GDSS students need to achieve the following minimum grades within the program of study described above:
Students who commenced the GDSS in 2009 onwards:
- Pass in PSYC101 and PSYC102, unless exempted
- Credit in PSYC202, plus two Credits and one Pass in PSYC units at the 200 level.
- Three Distinctions and one Credit in PSYC units at the 300 level, including PSYC302.
Students who commenced the GDSS prior to 2009:
- Pass in PSYC101 and PSYC102, unless exempted.
- Three Credits in PSYC units at the 200-level, including PSYC202 (Research Methods and Statistics).
- Three Distinctions and one Credit in PSYC units at the 300 level, including PSYC302.
- Pass in an additional PSYC unit either at the 200- or 300-level.
Grades required for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology.
To be eligible for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, students must achieve Pass in PSYC101 and PSYC102 unless exempted, and then an average grade of Credit across the 200 and 300 level units in the program of study described above.
Please note.
The grades specified above are the minimum requirements to qualify for entry. Satisfying these requirements does not ensure acceptance into either program, as places are limited. If there are more eligible applicants than available positions, students will be ranked using a grade point average (GPA) calculation across 200- and 300-level PSYC units and the top applicants will be offered a place in the program. The most recent cut-off for acceptance into honours was an average grade near Distinction, and for the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology was an average grade between Credit and Distinction.
When applying for entry into the GDSS it is essential that you indicate on the application form that you want to use it as a bridging program for entry into the Psychology Honours program or the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. This will ensure that your nominated program is vetted to meet the necessary requirements. In addition you should seek confirmation of your choice of units from either the GDSS (Psychology) Coordinator, Dr Ian Price, or the Academic Coordinator, Mrs Libby Fitzgerald.