Key Facts
Course Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Pre-Professional Psychology (4th year) is designed as a refresher sequence, for those who have previously completed an APAC accredited 4th year of study in psychology.
On completion of the Graduate Certificate of Pre-Professional Psychology, students will have current knowledge and understanding of key topics in psychology and with the required minimum average grades, graduates should be eligible to apply for most APAC accredited psychology Masters courses (e.g., the Master of Professional Psychology and Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology).
This program is suitable for those looking to improve results from a previously undertaken 4th year studies or refresh their knowledge from studies undertaken over 10 years ago. Note: Each provider will have different rules for refresher sequences and WAM calculations for any re-attempted results.
Students who complete this program with a final WAM of 85 will be guaranteed an interview for the 2023 intake of Cairnmillar’s Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), should they be otherwise eligible and choose to apply. Students who complete this program with a WAM of 75 will be guaranteed an interview for the 2023 intake of Cairnmillar’s Master of Professional Psychology, should they be otherwise eligible and choose to apply. Applications for these programs are competitive and an interview does not guarantee an offer.
2023 Course Information Session
Application Period
1 August 2022 to 31 October 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.
Course Structure
This program consists of 50 credit points across a total of four units. All four are coursework units.
In semester 1, students select two units from HON401, HON402, and HON403.
In semester 2, students complete HON404 and HON407.
Units available in the Graduate Certificate in Pre-Professional Psychology:
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| HON401 | Professional Practice and Professional Ethics | 12.5 |
| HON402 | Psychological Assessment | 12.5 |
| HON403 | Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence | 12.5 |
| HON404 | Developmental Psychopathology Across the Lifespan | 12.5 |
| HON407 | Research Methods | 12.5 |
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have already completed an APAC accredited fourth year of study in psychology (e.g., Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Further documentation required in the application:
- Most recent academic transcripts.
- A current curriculum vitae (resume).
- A 500-word personal statement outlining what factors have contributed to the application and why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar.
- Proof of residency/citizenship in the form of a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate.
See our How to Apply page for further instructions on using Cairnmillar’s online Application Portal.
This course is not open to international student applications. Please visit the Find a Course page to see which courses Cairnmillar offers that are available to international students.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Students who satisfactorily complete this course will be able to demonstrate skill and knowledge in the following areas:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply ethical codes, legislation, and professional standards to issues relevant to professional practice.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the development and application of psychological assessment and intervention.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of developmental psychopathology.
- Have the capacity to critically consider the impact of sociocultural and developmental factors in professional practice.
- Demonstrate sophisticated oral and written communication skills.
Fees & Scholarships
**Total fees are estimates only based on the current fee schedule. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: Fees & Scholarships.
For information on tuition fees and what scholarships might apply to this course, please visit the Fees & Scholarships page.
Career Opportunities & Study Pathways
Graduates may apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the Graduate Certificate of Pre-Professional Psychology in their current workplace.
Graduates will also be able to consider further study or employment in fields where the knowledge and skills acquired in postgraduate psychology study can be applied (e.g., community services, human resources, business, counselling).
Accreditation
The Graduate Certificate in Pre-Professional Psychology is a Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) accredited program and sits within level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Credit transfer for an APAC accredited course is only applicable for recently completed APAC accredited postgraduate programs. Credit or partial credit is not granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience.
Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here. Further information on RPL can be found here.
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