A graduate certificate in psychology can be the perfect stepping stone for your new career. The course typically comes with many units for you to choose from, allowing you to learn about psychological science, the principles and theories of human behaviour, and how to perform research analysis.
Our brief guide outlines what you will learn on a graduate certificate of psychology and the entry requirements for the course.
What is a Graduate Certificate of Psychology?
A graduate certificate of psychology is a postgraduate course that helps you to understand the field better and develop psychological literacy. It’s a great option if you want to make a career change and don’t have any previous psychology experience or qualifications.
The aim of the course is to deepen your cultural awareness, learn how to promote psychological health and well-being, and gain transferrable skills that provide several job opportunities. The course is an excellent pathway for further study, especially if you want to become a registered psychologist.
You can study for a graduate certificate full-time or part-time, taking most students eight months to complete. Many graduate certificates of psychology are taught online too, offering flexibility and the ability to study anywhere. An online course comes with the same access to materials and support as in-person courses, without needing to leave your home, making it a good choice for anyone returning to education alongside work and caring commitments.
Entry requirements for a graduate certificate of psychology vary, but typically you need to have an Australian Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or higher-level qualification in any discipline, or five years of professional experience. You should contact your course provider directly to find out about their entry requirements and what counts as relevant experience.
What will I learn on a Graduate Certificate of Psychology?
What you will learn on a graduate certificate of psychology varies depending on the course provider you choose. Most will contain similar content though, allowing you to get the knowledge that you need. To complete a graduate certificate of psychology, you must complete four units, but you can choose which units you study. Doing so allows you to tailor the course to your specific needs, whether it is to further explore areas of interest or to set you up for further study. The unit titles might vary depending on the provider, but you can expect to see the following to choose from:
Correlational research design and analysis
Here you will learn about the core principles of correlational research designs. You will also learn about the associated statistical techniques that apply to each research design.
Experimental research design and analysis
The unit teaches you the core principles of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs and associated parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses.
Neuroscience and human behaviour
This unit teaches you about the biopsychological and physiological bases of human behaviours.
Psychological science of wellbeing
This unit shows you how to apply psychological science to analysing and promoting psychological well-being in a biopsychological framework.
Psychological development and diversity in childhood
Here, you will explore human development, looking at the development from infancy to adolescence in detail.
Psychological development and diversity in adulthood
This unit focuses on analysing and applying psychological theories to human development across adulthood.
Psychological science of human social behaviour
In this unit, you will learn how to apply theories of social psychology to a range of contemporary global and local issues and events.
Psychological science of human information processing
During this unit, you will learn about the core concepts, theories, and principles of cognitive psychology and learning.
What can I do with a Graduate Certificate of Psychology?
After completing your graduate certificate of psychology, you have several career options to choose from. You will have the skills and knowledge to move into the following fields:
- Education
- Human services
- Human resource management
- Marketing
Many students choose to remain in education after completing their graduate certificate of psychology. You can progress to a graduate diploma of psychology and a graduate diploma of psychology (advanced), progressing your career towards becoming a registered psychologist.
Find your Psychology Course Today
You can choose from many different providers for your graduate certificate in psychology, allowing you to get the skills and knowledge you need for your new career. We recommend ECU, an online course provider, where you can study flexibly around your commitments. Their online graduate certificate of psychology course allows you to learn about the bases of human behaviour and development and how to use these theories for research and analysing events, with online support and guidance from experts. Reach out to ECU to learn more about your new graduate certificate of psychology course today.
