Online ExpertTrack in Psychology & Mental Health

Introduction to Psychology

4.7 (1554 reviews)

Discover the fascinating field of psychology from past to present, as you explore how the human mind affects our behaviour.

2,338 enrolments

Created by

Monash UniversityMonash University

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Gain a broad overview of psychology and master its basic principles

Developed by one of the world’s top-ranked universities, Monash, this ExpertTrack has been created to provide a broad overview of the science of psychology, from developmental and biological psychology, through to sensation perception and the psychology of learning.

The principles of psychology can be applied across a range of industries, such as teaching, counselling, marketing and human resources. Once you’ve understood them, they’ll be invaluable in helping you excel in your chosen field.

Discover the history of psychology

You’ll find out about the history of psychology, covering its split from philosophy, examining the contributions of key figures, and exploring how it became the fascinating discipline it is today.

You’ll master the fundamental principles of the scientific method, which you can then apply across your professional and academic work.

Once you’ve understood the background of psychological enquiry, you’ll move onto more detailed discoveries around early behavioural psychology, cognitive psychology and clinical psychology.

Explore the world of developmental psychology

As you grow your understanding of human development and lifespan theories you will consider the various stages of human development and the impact they have as life progresses.

You’ll also examine the nature versus nurture discussion and explore the critical thinking skills required to carry out research within the discipline.

Understand the psychology of sensation and perception

Discover how the senses combine to help us perceive and respond to our environment.

Once you’ve completed this section of the course, you’ll understand how the study of sensation helps to further our understanding of perception and how it shapes our view of the world.

Learn with psychology experts at Monash University

The Monash University School of Psychological Sciences is ranked amongst the best in the world. [1]

It offers a full programme of award courses accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), including its fully-online Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

You’ll learn with expert academics from a school that is also world-renowned for its research into key issues around sleep, addiction, neurodevelopment and neuro-degeneration.

Key skills you will learn

  • Classical conditioning
  • Operant conditioning
  • Principles of perception
  • Introduction to genetics
  • Heredity and genetic disorders
  • Lifespan theories
  • Defining and assessing personality
  • Trait theories and biological influences
  • Freudian theories
  • The origins of psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Clinical psychology

Experience required

This introductory course is intended for anyone with a keen interest in psychology - no experience is required.

It will be particularly useful if you’ve achieved a Bachelor’s degree in a different discipline and would like to broaden your science and research skills.

Getting started

There are no specific requirements for this ExpertTrack, other than an interest in the subject matter.

The ExpertTrack offers valuable learning for those considering a career or further education in psychology, who would like a foundation of knowledge or taster of what a degree may be like.

It will also be useful to learners who may want to be more aware of human psychology in their day to day life.

ExpertTrack course overview

  • Course 1

    4.6 (149 reviews)

    Learn how our sensory systems work together to help us to perceive and respond to the world around us.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    6 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Sensation, perception and the visual and auditory system
      • Getting started
      • Sensation versus perception
      • The visual system
      • End of week review, and preview
    • Week 2

      The senses
      • Welcome to the week
      • The senses
      • Illusions and psychology, and principles of perception
      • End of course
  • Course 2

    4.7 (272 reviews)

    Understand the link between behaviour and human biology, and learn how genes and the environment influence our behaviour.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    6 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Biological factors
      • Getting started
      • Genetics and psychology
      • Genes and genetic disorders
      • End of week review, and preview
    • Week 2

      The nervous system, brain and spinal cord
      • Welcome to the week
      • The nervous system
      • The brain and spinal cord
      • End of course
  • Course 3

    4.8 (207 reviews)

    Examine the physical, cognitive and social development we undergo throughout our lives.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    6 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Human development across the lifespan
      • Getting started
      • Human development
      • Lifespan theories
      • End of week review, and preview
    • Week 2

      Stages of human development
      • Welcome to the week
      • Stages of development - Childhood
      • Stages of development - Adulthood
      • End of course
  • Course 4

    4.8 (235 reviews)

    Explore the complex factors and influences that help shape our personality and examine what makes us different, and why.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    6 hours per week

    • Week 1

      The concept of personality
      • Getting started
      • The elements of personality, Freud and the psychodynamic perspective
      • Learning approaches
      • End of week review, and preview
    • Week 2

      Models, theories and approaches
      • Welcome to the week
      • Humanistic approaches
      • Trait theories and culture
      • The science of measuring personality
      • End of course
  • Course 5

    4.8 (330 reviews)

    Investigate the history and science of psychology while mastering the basic principles of the scientific method.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    6 hours per week

    • Week 1

      The science of psychology
      • Getting started
      • Psychology as a science
      • The origins of psychology
      • End of week review, and preview
    • Week 2

      Approaches and theories
      • Welcome to the week
      • Behaviourism and cognitive psychology
      • Clinical psychology
      • End of course
  • Course 6

    4.7 (361 reviews)

    Explore how new behaviours are learnt by examining different types of psychological conditioning.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    6 hours per week

    • Week 1

      The learning process
      • Getting started
      • Types of learning
      • End of week review, and preview
    • Week 2

      Behaviour modification
      • Welcome to the week
      • Reinforcement and behaviour modification
      • Observational learning
      • End of course

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.

Join a free 7-day trial

Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.

Keep learning for $39/month

Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.

Earn digital certificates

Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.

Become an expert

Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.

World-class learning with Monash University

Monash University is one of Australia’s leading universities, ranked in the world’s top 1% by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It was established in Melbourne in 1958.

  • Established

    1958
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Meet your instructor

I am Associate Professor and Director of Education for the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia. My research is in the cognitive neuroscience of memory and perception.

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FAQ

ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.

Each ExpertTrack comes with a 7-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.

Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 7-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.

You have seven days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 7-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.

Please see our full refund policy here.

No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.

No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.

If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.

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