Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging)

This program is only available to domestic students. Your preference is currently set to international.

This program is only available to domestic students. Your preference is currently set to international.

What can you do with your degree?

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers where you can make a real difference in the lives of others: Careers based on helping people suffering from trauma, mental health issues and physical disabilities; or where you can predict and change behaviours or improve performance - on the sporting field, in the workplace and in dealing with everyday life.

With a strong emphasis on critical thinking, communication and analytical skills, undergraduate qualifications in psychology can be applied to careers in private enterprise, government, and community settings.  Some of the many possibilities include education (counselling, behaviour management), business (change management and organisational psychology), human resources and career guidance, criminal justice and child protection, sport, exercise and athlete performance, rehabilitation (counselling) and research to name a few.

Once fully registered as a practicing Psychologist, graduates can specialise and be endorsed in nine areas of practice, including:

  • Clinical neuropsychology      
  • Clinical psychology      
  • Community psychology      
  • Counselling psychology      
  • Educational and developmental psychology      
  • Forensic psychology      
  • Health psychology
  • Organisational psychology
  • Sport and exercise psychology

Clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist is a mental health specialist who provides psychological services and support to people with varying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and drug or alcohol abuse. Seek (2021) projects a 22.8 per cent job growth in the next five years, with a median salary of $90-$120k.

General psychologist

A general psychologist can find employment in a range of industries such as public administration, support services and human resources, as well as research institutes. Seek (2021) projects a 22.8 per cent job growth in the next five years, with a median salary of $80-$110k.

Professional accreditation

Bond University’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) is accredited with conditions by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as the equivalent of Years 1-3 on the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist in Australia.

Program learning outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge, skills and abilities that will be achieved on completion of the program. These outcomes will help you determine whether this program aligns with your professional pathway, career and learning goals.

View Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) learning outcomes
  1. Apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, including underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
  2. Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a culturally responsive manner that is sensitive to the diversity of individuals, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing.
  3. Critically analyse theory and research in the discipline of psychology.
  4. Communicate psychological knowledge in written format using discipline-appropriate conventions.
  5. Communicate psychological knowledge orally to diverse audiences, adapting to their needs and to professional conventions.
  6. Apply appropriate ethical principles and professional standards in psychology, including the ethical use of digital technologies.
  7. Contribute productively to team-based activities, negotiating roles and integrating diverse perspectives.
  8. Apply advanced research methods and statistical techniques to investigate psychological questions with autonomy.
  9. Reflect on personal values, assumptions and biases and their influence on psychological practice, and explain principles of self-care and the psychosocial demands of psychological study.

Further study

Graduates are required to complete six years of education and training to be eligible for registration. There are a few options available to progress to fourth-year, and onward to full registration as a psychologist:  

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