Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology
The AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology is the ideal starting point for professionals who want to build foundational postgraduate knowledge in applied psychology.
This programme provides insight into how psychological science can be used to understand behaviour, support wellbeing, strengthen communication, motivation and leadership, and support positive outcomes across individual, social and organisational contexts.
Designed for professionals from any sector, including those without prior psychology study, this programme equips you with tools to bring a psychology-informed perspective to your work or community. It also offers a pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Applied Psychology, with all courses credited should you choose to continue your study.
100% online:
Study from anywhere, anytime, with no need to attend campus
Tailored for busy professionals:
Balance work, life and study with a flexible, part-time structure
Your experience counts:
If you have sufficient work experience but no degree, you can still qualify
Personalised support:
Expert guidance and dedicated support seven days a week
Why choose the AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology
- Practical and relevant: Explore how psychological theory applies to real-world challenges across individual, social and organisational contexts.
- Flexible course selection: Complete two 30-point courses that best suit your professional goals and interests.
- Culturally grounded learning: Develop cultural competence and responsiveness by engaging respectfully with Māori and other Indigenous knowledge systems, frameworks and communities in ethical psychological research and practice.
- Pathway to further study: Courses can be credited toward the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Applied Psychology.
This programme is currently only available for domestic students.
If you already have a university degree
- A bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma or professional qualification
If you don’t yet have a university degree
- 5 years of work experience
Your experience counts
At AUT Online, we value your professional expertise. If you have relevant work experience but no undergraduate degree, you can still take the next step toward achieving your goals with our Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology.
Not sure if you meet the entry criteria?
Enquire now to discuss your eligibility.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology offers a flexible introduction to postgraduate study in psychology. You’ll develop the ability to apply psychological frameworks to understand and influence behaviour across individual, social and organisational contexts, without committing to the full postgraduate diploma or master’s programme.
Through this postgraduate certificate you will:
- Understand how biological, cognitive and social processes shape human behaviour and influence wellbeing and motivation.
- Apply psychological principles to analyse and address real-world challenges across community, workplace and social settings.
- Communicate psychological insights effectively in diverse professional and applied settings.
- Strengthen your cultural competence and responsiveness by engaging respectfully with Māori and other Indigenous knowledge systems, frameworks and communities in ethical psychological practice.
Courses
You will complete two of the following 30-point courses, taken one at a time over trimesters. Course availability may vary depending on the trimester schedule:
- ONPSYC801 Applied Human Development and Wellbeing
- ONPSYC802 Applied Neuroscience
- ONPSYC803 Psychology of Social and Organisational Behaviour
- ONPSYC804 Applied Behaviour Change
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
The AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology prepares you to apply psychological insight across individual, social and organisational settings and sectors. You’ll gain skills to support communication, wellbeing and behaviour change across a wide range of industries and community contexts.
Potential career pathways include:
- Team or people leader in business, education or health
- HR or workplace wellbeing coordinator
- Community engagement or youth programme support
- Learning and development assistant
- Policy or research support roles
- Behaviour change project assistant
The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology is also an excellent pathway to further study, enabling you to continue into the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Applied Psychology when you’re ready to expand your skills and career potential.
Not sure which qualification suits your goals? AUT Online offers flexible options to fit your needs:
Courses completed in this postgraduate certificate can be credited toward the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Applied Psychology, enabling you to build on your learning seamlessly as you progress in your studies.
- Full fees: $5,300 (for 60 points)
- Student services levy (additional, for 60 points): $610.80
Fees are calculated for the full indicative programme cost (60 points), based on 2026 fees, which are reviewed annually.
Enquire about the AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology here today.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT programme regulations, please refer to the AUT Calendar.