Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology

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Duration
0.5 years full-time, 1 year part-time
Location
Online
Next start term
Term 2, 2025
Study mode
Online
Course code
CH84
First-year fee
$8,496 (Indicative) (CSP)
$14,496 (Indicative) (FFP)
This course offers Commonwealth Supported Places, meaning you may be eligible for significant fee savings.
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology at CQUniversity is designed to equip you to develop and implement positive interventions aimed at improving the mental, emotional and physical health of the population in a variety of contexts. 

In this course, you will explore the history, development and practical application of positive psychology for enhancing the wellbeing and resilience of individuals, groups, communities and organisations. This, combined with contemporary theory will provide you with an understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of wellbeing with relation to human flourishing. In doing so the course will draw from Seligman’s (2011) PERMA model: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, together with other elements of wellbeing such as resilience, optimism, hope, mind-body wellness, natural and built environments, sleep, nutrition, exercise, and collective wellbeing. You will examine system and behavioural change drivers and tools used to integrate change. Using the fundamental principles and theories you will research, design and develop positive psychology interventions across a range of settings.

The applied nature of the course will enhance your career prospects and employability by helping you to use positive psychology principles learned during the course within existing or future professional settings.

Study Experience

Discover more about your online positive psychology degree, offering flexible study options and significant fee savings to help you get started. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Authentic Learning Experiences
  • Commonwealth Supported
  • Experienced Teaching Team
  • Flexible Online Study
  • Seamless Pathways
  • Study Full-time or Part-time

Career Opportunities

It is expected that graduates of this course will have access to a range of career options. Graduates will be equipped to develop and implement positive interventions aimed at improving the mental health of the population in a range of settings including:

  • clinical settings
  • teaching and education
  • coaching and consulting
  • health care settings
  • communities and organisations.

This course is an ideal course to advance your skills and knowledge in positive psychology principles. It won't lead to a career as a psychologist, so if you are seeking a career as a registered psychologist, please explore our other psychology course options.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete four units (24 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (4 units)

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Core Units

You must study the following core unit:

  • PSYC20037 - Introduction to Positive Psychology: Perspectives on Wellbeing    

You must also study one of the following units: 

  • PSYC29003 - Coaching Individuals for Positive Change
  • PSYC29001 - Applied Positive Psychology

You then have the option to study two of the following units: 

  • PSYC20041 - Group Facilitation Skills
  • PSYC20042 - Building Wellbeing and Resilience: Interconnected Factors
  • PSYC20039 - Inter-disciplinary and Cross-cultural Approaches to Wellbeing
  • PSYC20038 - Positive Psychology: Research Methods
  • PSYC20040 - Wellbeing Initiatives: Local and Global Scales

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one academic year depending on the type of place you are offered, for example, a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or Full Fee Paying (FFP) Place. For a graduate certificate, this is usually four units studied full-time over one term or part-time over two terms. The indicative fee should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in November each year.

Commonwealth Supported Places

With Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this course in 2025, you may be eligible for significant fee savings, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

If you are not eligible for a CSP or if CSPs are full, you will be required to pay full fees.

HECS-HELP

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. 

Learn more about paying for university.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Extra Admission Information

Learn about the assessment of applications and everything you need to know about receiving and accepting an offer to study with CQU.

Start Your Application

Use the Apply button below to access our Apply Online portal and start your application.

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