Key facts
Domestic students course information. This course is currently not available to international students.
Entry is based on a completed accredited 5th year psychology qualification, or an offer to study the UNE Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical). You must be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist or already hold general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
View full entry requirements- Up to 2 years part-time
| Start Dates and Campus | Trimester 1 – February 2024 | Trimester 2 – June 2024 | Trimester 3 – October 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Not Offered | Not Offered | Offered |
| Armidale Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| Sydney Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Course information
Download course brochure
With flexible online delivery, the UNE Graduate Certificate in School Psychology provides you with the specialised practice skills required to work in educational settings. This course is uniquely designed to be studied alongside UNE's Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical) to ensure you graduate job-ready and competitive for internship opportunities in school psychology positions. This offering is also a fantastic option if you already hold an APAC-accredited fifth-year psychology qualification and are ready to upskill and expand your career options.
2024 Health scholarships
Starting a UNE Health course in 2024? Get up to $12,000 towards your studies. For more information about the range of health scholarships and subsidies available, register your interest now.
Why study the Graduate Certificate in School Psychology with UNE?
A psychologist in schools is often the first point of referral for children and young people who present with a wide variety of difficulties of varying complexity and severity. The UNE Graduate Certificate in School Psychology provides you with the practical skills needed to navigate the ethical, professional and practice dilemmas encountered in educational settings. This course facilitates the application of these skills alongside best practice in professional psychology, with individual clients, parents/carers, groups, multi-disciplinary colleagues and the wider school community.
What makes our course different?
At UNE, we have a proven history of producing psychology graduates who are in demand in this dynamic and competitive industry. When studying this course with us, you will:
- Develop a grounding in evidence-based and culturally responsive assessment and intervention techniques, equipping you to work with children, adolescents and young adults.
- Future fit yourself with expanded career options. Employers across public, catholic and private school sectors highly value the unique skills which graduates develop through this course.
- Hone your critical thinking and communication skills, and enhance your interprofessional working capabilities.
- Study flexibly. We know that our students need to balance study with existing commitments. This course is offered online, allowing you to fit your studies in with all of your other priorities.
Study with Australia's longest continuous provider of distance (now online) education. Year after year, students award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.
Study online
Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.
* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.
Entry requirements
This course is offered under two admission rules.
Rule A: You meet BOTH of the following entry requirements:
- Within the past ten years* you have completed an accredited 5th year psychology qualification (e.g. Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical).
- You are eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist or already hold general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Rule B: You meet BOTH of the following entry requirements:
- You have received an offer of candidature within UNE’s Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical).
- You are eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist or already hold general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
* Ten-Year Rule Waivers
You can apply for a waiver of the ten-year rule at application if you are a currently registered and practicing psychologist who can demonstrate compliance with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) continuing professional development requirements.
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
You must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.
Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:
Certified academic transcripts of your completed qualifications, evidencing a 5 year accredited sequence of study (APAC Level 1 to 3) which includes undergraduate degree, honours degree/Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Master of Professional Psychology.
Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.
Some entry rules come with Advanced Standing or Articulation Programs that are assessed automatically without the need for you to fill in an additional application. Simply apply for your course and we’ll look after the rest.
- Rule A: If you are admitted under Rule A, you will be granted 12 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing for PSYC505 and PSYC507.
- Rule B: If you are admitted under Rule B, you will be granted 12 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing for PSYC505 and PSYC507, on completion of these units within the Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Please note: Advanced Standing cannot be granted for PSYC427 or PSYC537.
Course structure
To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points.
12 credit points
Students will be granted the following units as advanced standing, on admission to the course for Rule A and on completion within the Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical) for Rule B- Clinical Psychological Assessment (PSYC505) – 6 credit points
- Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (PSYC507) – 6 credit points
12 credit points
Complete the following units:- Psychological Practice in an Educational Context (PSYC427) – 6 credit points
- Assessment and Intervention in School Psychology (PSYC537) – 6 credit points
See UNE Handbook for more details. The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course plans, exit awards, intensive schools, and work placement requirements.
Fees and scholarships
How much will it cost?
Estimated fees for your first year of study in this course are:
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full Fee | $16,900* |
| Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time | $351 |
What are the course fee payment options?
Full Fee places are mostly in postgraduate coursework degrees. In a full fee place you pay the tuition fee set for your course, however you may be eligible for a FEE-HELP Loan to defer payment of your fees until you are earning above the threshold.
If you are enrolled in a Full Fee place and there is a direct connection between your work and your study, you may be able to claim your tuition fees as a tax deduction.
UNE scholarships are open for all to apply and offer financial help while you are studying. There are scholarships for students with high academic achievement, from rural areas, studying specific degrees, in disadvantaged groups, experiencing financial hardship, who excel at sport or want to live in a UNE residential college.
UNE scholarship applications are free and confidential. You may apply for more than one scholarship.
Your career
From achievement of the Graduate Certificate in School Psychology you will develop a specialised set of skills which will enable you to extend your psychological practice to the school psychology context. This course will provide a foundation to your professional practice in educational settings. In combination with an accredited 5th year professional psychology program, this course ensures you smoothly transition into practice in a school setting and have the knowledge and skills to navigate the professional and practice issues particular to the educational context. Employers across public, catholic and private school sectors highly value the unique skills which graduates develop through this course.
Please note this course does NOT confer eligibility for General Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. This specialisation course is open to candidates who hold an accredited 5th year qualification in professional psychology (e.g. Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical)), or who are co-enrolled in UNE's Master of Professional Psychology or Master of Psychology (Clinical).
Course outcomes
- understand the specific context and role of School Psychology services, and effect knowledge of the legal, ethical and professional frameworks for practice within a school context;
- apply the principles and practice of culturally responsive assessment, diagnosis and case formulation across developmental stages in a school context; including psychological testing and test data interpretation;
- execute high level skills in delivering psychological interventions for common presentations within a school setting using a culturally responsive approach;
- appraise, interpret and communicate information in both oral and written formats, tailoring communication appropriately to all stakeholders including clients, their families, multi-disciplinary professionals using culturally appropriate language; and
- apply advanced interprofessional working skills to interact responsibly and ethically with clients, parents and other multi-disciplinary professionals, to implement evidence-based interventions for individuals, groups and whole school communities.
- Knowledge of a Discipline
Graduates have an advanced knowledge of specialised School Psychology practice, including an understanding of assessment, formulation and intervention for a range of presenting problems across developmental stages that vary in complexity and severity. Graduates ground their practice in the scientist-practitioner model and collaborate with colleagues in a multidisciplinary team to deliver evidence-based interventions. Graduates respect clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and a range of abilities and adapt their practice to meet their clients’ needs.
- Communication Skills
Graduates have high level oral and written communication skills and effective interpersonal skills for Psychology practice within an educational context. Graduates communicate effectively with multidisciplinary colleagues, parents and clients at various developmental stages. Graduates tailor their communications to their audience to promote collaboration, engagement and effective implementation of recommendations.
- Problem Solving
Graduates are logical and critical thinkers, and are able to select and implement evidence-based assessment and interventions. Graduates can also effectively problem solve in collaboration with other stakeholders to achieve best outcomes for their clients. Graduates critically evaluate their practice as well as the research evidence which informs their practice.
- Information Literacy
Graduates have advanced information literacy skills gained through literature searching, objective scientific writing, and exposure to resources for professional practice.
- Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility
Graduates practice within the legal and ethical frameworks of the psychology profession. Graduates also have a sense of social responsibility for knowledge and decision-making and its application in professional practice. Through the application of the scientist-practitioner model, graduates contribute to the development of the profession.
- Lifelong Learning
Graduates engage in continuing professional development accessing research and skills training to inform practice. Graduates are also adaptable and flexible, open to new ideas and able to manage change.
- Independence and Collaboration
Graduates practice across a variety of educational settings and work independently or collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams within schools and with external community stakeholders. Graduates respect multiple points of view and interact in accordance with professional ethics.
A five-star experience
Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience
Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience
QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience
QILT Student Experience Survey
Five Stars for
Teaching Quality
UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality
Good Universities Guide 2024
Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
Stay connected
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Why study with us?
As a mum of 4 and running a business I needed to find a course that was flexible and would allow me to study the units as fast or as slow as I needed to. UNE provided that flexibility.
How to apply
Preparing to apply
You should always provide the details of past or current studies in your application. You may also need to include documents to support your application.
The kind of documents you need will depend on:
- Your preferred course/s
- Your personal circumstances
Important Dates
Different application methods and courses can have different closing dates. To find your correct application method click the Apply Now button below. Please check the appropriate application website for opening and closing dates.
If you are applying online direct to UNE please see below for application dates.
| Intake | Application Closing Date | Trimester Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 3 | 11 October 2024 | 21 October 2024 |
Important Notice for Prospective Students
For accurate, up-to-date details on entry requirements, course structure, and other essential information, please consult the UNE Student Handbook before applying or enrolling. The Handbook provides comprehensive guidance to assist in your decision-making process. We apologise for any inconvenience.
