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About
the University
The
University of Southern Queensland is an Australian
and Queensland Government-accredited University, and
has been in operation as a college and university
since 1967.
USQ
has built a reputation for offering quality academic
programmes that are recognized worldwide by other
higher education institutions, employers and internationally
accredited professional bodies.
Awards
- Commonwealth
Awards of Excellence” 2004
i. USQ has won the Commonwealth of Learning Award
of Excellence for Institutional Achievement at the
third Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning currently
being held in Dunedin, New
Zealand.
- Australian’s
University of the Year 2000-2001” Good Universities
Guide for “Developing the e-University”
i. Amongst the many universities in Australia, USQ
has won the award to be the best university in Australia.
ii. This reflects the quality and its prestige being
the best university in Australia not only for 1
year but 2 years consecutively.
- Best
Global University for Distance Education”
International Council for Open & Distance Education
(ICDE), Norway 1999
i. USQ is not only been awarded for its quality
and prestige within Australia.
ii. Through the International Council for Open &
Distance Education (ICDE) USQ has also bagged this
award for its educational leadership and expertise
in providing flexible distance learning opportunities.
Recognition
& Accreditation
- Member
of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
(ACU)
- Fully
funded by the Australian Federal Government
- The
first programme fully accredited by the Australian
Psychological Society (APS)
- As
a graduate, students will be eligible to become
a member of the Australian Psychological Society
which is internationally recognised
For
more information about the university, log on to
www.usq.edu.au.
About
the Programme
The
Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies is specially
designed for participants who wish to acquire an understanding
of psychology through its tools and techniques.
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Benefits
of the Programme
The
Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies is available
to graduates of disciplines other than Psychology.
Completion of this programme at an appropriate level
will enable students to apply for the Bachelor of
Science (Honours) in Psychology.
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Recognition
Upon
completion, USQ will award student with the Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies certificate.
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Programme
Structure
There
will be a total of 30 hours of classroom contact per
module.
Students will have to complete 8 modules to be awarded
the Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies.
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Semester 1
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Semester
2
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Semester
3
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3 Core Units
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Optional Compulsory Units (Choose 2 out of
4)
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Elective Units
(Choose 3 out of 9)
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Core
Units
PSY2100
Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY2110
Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY3010
Assessment of Behaviour
Optional
Compulsory Subjects
Students are required to complete 2 of the following:
PSY2010
Social Processes of Behaviour
PSY2020
Motivation and Emotion
PSY2030
Developmental Psychology
PSY2040
Human Information Processing
Elective
Units
Students are required to complete 3 elective units:
PSY3020
Social Psychology
PSY3030
Abnormal Behaviour
PSY3040
Individual Differences
PSY3050
Counselling Psychology
PSY3070
Memory and Cognition
PSY3080
Human Factors
PSY3090
Physiological Psychology
PSY3120
History and Systems of Psychology
PSY3250
Sport Psychology
Core
Units
PSY2100
Research Methods in Psychology A
This module introduces the methods used to develop
knowledge in the field of psychology. Topics covered
include: formulating research questions, operationalising
theoretical constructs, internal and external validity,
sampling and assignment, and an introduction to survey
and experimental methods. Data analysis techniques
focus on a linear model approach to both ANOVA and
Regression in both experimental and non-experimental
contexts. Planned comparisons in an ANOVA context
are explored. The concepts of statistical inference,
decision making, and potential sources of error developed
in earlier courses are elaborated further. A computer
statistical package is used to develop practical analysis
skills and enhance conceptual understanding. Reliable
access to a suitable computer and internet access
is required as per Faculty of Sciences requirements.
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PSY2110Research
Methods in Psychology B
This module builds upon the basic methods and tools
of psychological research, extending the range and
complexity of questions which can be addressed. A
wide diversity of research designs are introduced
including non-reactive techniques, complex experimental
and quasi- experimental designs and single-subject
designs as ways of answering specific questions and
dealing with potential confounds. The statistical
and analytic tools associated with these more advanced
techniques are also explored including factorial analysis
of variance, and analytic comparisons.
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PSY3010
Assessment of Behaviour
This module is divided into two parts The first concerns
the principles of psychological testing, concentrating
on questions of reliability and validity, norms, item
analysis and the interpretation and evaluation of
tests in general. The second part concerns particular
areas of testing such as intelligence, abilities,
specific aptitudes, and personality; making students
aware of certain major tests in use, as well as a
representative array of tests typifying the above
areas. In dealing with the various tests and concepts,
major issues regarding test usage are highlighted.
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Optional
Compulsory Subjects
Students are required to complete 2 of the following
PSY2010
Social Processes of Behaviour
Social behaviour is introduced as the study of social
processes at a number of levels from the individual
level through to more broadly based social phenomena.
Some of the major concepts and areas of social psychology
are introduced (e.g., social research methods, socialisation,
self-esteem, altruism, aggression, communication and
social skills, interpersonal relationships, family
issues, prejudice, group processes, culture considerations,
leadership and social influence. This module has a
s research component and students will be required
to write a research report in a style suitable for
psychology as part of their assessment. Students will
also require email and internet access to USQConnect
for this course.
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PSY2020
Motivation and Emotion
This module will cover a number of related topics
in motivation and emotion, such as drives and instincts,
theories of motivation, consciousness and volitional
behaviour, self-control and self-regulation, the structure
and function of emotions, relationships between emotion
and cognition, and the regulation of emotions.
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PSY2030
Developmental Psychology
The three goals of developmental psychology are to
describe, explain, and optimise human development.
This course aims to provide students with the knowledge
necessary to achieve these goals. This module takes
a life-span approach, introducing students to essential
theories and methodologies employed in developmental
study, as well as the characteristics and major developmental
tasks of individuals at each phase of the life span:
prenatal, birth, infancy, toddlerhood, childhood,
adolescence, adulthood and the final phase of dying
and death
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PSY2040
Human Information Processing
The module starts with a revision of visual and auditory
sensation that was covered in Foundation Psychology
B. The course builds upon this material by examining
visual and auditory perceptual processes and associated
brain structures. Following perception, the course
deals with attention looking at both the different
types of attention and the different theories of how
attention works. Memory over short retention intervals
is then examined with an emphasis upon working memory.
Finally the module looks at the factors involved in
producing long-term memories.
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Elective
Units
Students are required to complete 3 elective units
PSY3020
Social Psychology
The module consists of detailed coverage of topics
in social psychology, including attitudes, non verbal
communication and social cognition. Students must
be familiar with basic data analytic procedures in
order to successfully complete the module.
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PSY3030
Abnormal Behaviour
The module involves an elaboration of the main concepts
and issues regarding abnormal behaviours and mental
illness. Major questions addressed include: (1) what
is mental illness? (2) what types of maladaptive behaviours and psychological
disorders are there? (3) how
are they classified? (4) what
are the proposed etiologies of these disorders and
with what characteristics are they correlated? (5)
what general modes are available
to intervene in disorders?
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PSY3040
Individual Differences
This module is designed to cover the main theoretical
approaches to the study of individual differences
and to critically examine research findings in this
area. The focus of the course is on developing an
integrated picture of the whole person through understanding
of the major facets of human nature and how these
work together to shape behaviour. Subject matter covered
includes theories of personality, intelligence, interests,
and values. Apart from covering the theoretical bases
for each of these constructs, the course will challenge
the student to think about how our views of constructs
such as intelligence and personality can influence
social policy.
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PSY3050
Counselling Psychology
This module is designed to introduce the student to
the theory and issues involved in counselling. Various
models of counselling and behaviour change that constitute
the field of counselling psychology will be examined
along with an introduction to the major theories and
their leading techniques and interventions.
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PSY3070
Memory and Cognition
The module will deal with three basic areas of memory
and cognition: Retention at short intervals, retention
at long intervals and permanent knowledge structures.
The theoretical foundations for memory performance
in these three areas will be evaluated. The implications
of these theories will then be used to solve problems
in applied areas of cognitive performance.
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PSY3080
Human Factors
The module begins with an historical overview
of the interface between psychology and work and the
consequent growth of human factors/engineering psychology.
Research methodology plays a big part in human factors,
indeed it is a theme that runs through the whole course,
so there is some early coverage of statistics and
methods, but no more than has already been covered
in PSY2100 and PSY2110. Sections on human sensory
systems, cognition, and human physiology emphasise
the importance of understanding the limitation of
these systems from a human-machine interface perspective.
The approach taken involves reviewing a topic (e.g.,
perception), describing the limitations in human systems
for machine and software design, followed by coverage
of the design process itself. The final section of
the course applies the principles of human factors
to fields such as automation, transportation, medicine,
and training with a view to explaining much of the
problem behaviour we observe in these fields and using
human factors principles to bring about improvements.
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PSY3090
Physiological Psychology
The first three modules examine the basic physiology
of the brain and nerves: their structure, composition
and the electro-chemical events that take place. Another
module examines the techniques used to study and thereby
understand the relevant physiology. The next three
modules examine a number of classes of behaviours
and evaluate the biological influences in these: sleep,
emotions, and eating. In addition, there is
two further modules looking at the physiology of learning
and memory and how the nervous system stores and retrieves
useful information. The final three modules cover
pathological psychophysiology: the study of physiological
disorders affecting nerves, brain, feelings, mental
development and ageing.
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PSY3120
History and Systems of Psychology
This module will focus upon the development of scientific
thought from the days of the Greek Philosophers to
the initial development of Psychology as an independent
scientific discipline in the late 19th century. In
particular, relevant events and figures in the history
of psychological theory will be examined from the
perspectives of geographical location, time period,
and sociopolitical context. Another major theme in
the historical analysis is the manner in which idiosyncratic
life events have interacted with presumably objective
scientific theories. While the "Great Men"
theory of history is eschewed, the role major figures
have played in the development of psychological theory
will be evaluated.
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PSY3250
Sport Psychology
This module will explore the contribution psychology
makes to sport settings by highlighting and encouraging
discussion of issues that are unique to these settings.
Through this students will develop greater awareness
of the knowledge base, key skills, and professional
responsibilities needed by psychologists and researchers
working in sport psychology. Students will require
computer and internet facilities as described in the
USQ Handbook for Psychology students.
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PSY3730
Industrial and Organisational Psychology
This module concentrates on how psychological knowledge
and methods can be applied in industrial and organisational
settings. Particular topics concern such matters as
job analysis and performance appraisal, training and
development, recruitment and selection techniques,
group behaviour, leadership and participation, ergonomics
and safety in the workplace.
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Advancement
Pathway
Upon
completion, students can progress to the Bachelor
of Science (Hons) in Psychology and subsequently Master
in Psychology awarded by the University of Southern
Queensland, Australia.
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Assignments
60%
Examinations 40%
All assignments and exams are set an assessed by the
USQ faculty to ensure that the quality and value of
the degree is maintained and standardised.
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Entry
Requirements
To
be admitted to the Graduate Diploma, applicants must
:
- hold
a bachelor's degree from a recognised university
in a field other than psychology; and
- have
completed the pre-requisite courses listed below
(or their equivalent elsewhere) prior to commencing
the program.
To
find out if your existing qualification meet the entry
requirement, email
us
PRE-REQUISITE
COURSES
STA2300 Data Analysis (FOSCI)
Students will be introduced to the concepts involved
in descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics
include methods of producing, exploring, condensing
and displaying data, both of single and multiple variables,
elementary probability, the normal distribution, single
and two-sample inference of means and proportions,
comparison of frequencies, correlation and regression.
Emphasis will be placed on how statistics is used
in practice and on the presentation and interpretation
of statistical analyses. A computing package and calculator
will be used to facilitate numerical calculation and
graphing.
PSY1010
Foundation Psychology A (FOSCI)
This course is designed to provide students with an
overall perspective of the scope, nature, and methods
of psychology. The major concepts of developmental
psychology, personality, motivation, psychological
disorders, therapy, health, and social psychology
are introduced. Students will learn the correct procedures
for citing references and putting together a reference
list in the format recommended by the American Psychological
Association (APA).
PSY1020
Foundation Psychology B (FOSCI)
This course, in combination with PSY1010 (Foundation
Psychology A), is designed to provide students with
an overall perspective of the scope, nature and methods
involved in psychology. The major concepts covered
in this course include biological perspectives, sensation
and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, cognition,
and intelligence. Students will also be introduced
to writing a practical report introduction in the
style specified by the American Psychological Association
(APA).
Candidates
who have not successfully completed the three pre-requisite
courses can complete them by : EITHER
- Studying
the courses as single units of study through USQ's
Continuing Education facility, TransACE (application
is made directly through TransACE)
OR
- Applying
for admission to the Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
through QTAC to complete the pre-requisites, and
then apply to transfer to the Graduate Diploma of
Psychological Studies, using a Direct Entry application
form, once the pre-requisites have been met.
Note:
The pre-requisite units do not count towards the unit
load of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies.
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Contact
Us
Contact
us to find out more about our programmes.
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