The ACAP
Story
Ideas that make the world a better place
ACAP University College was established in Sydney in 1983 as the Australian College of Applied Psychology with the aim of making applied psychology accessible to the wider public, beyond the narrow confines of traditional university teachings.
Extending into Human Resources, Sports & Performance Psychology, Management and Leadership in the early 2000s, the vision was always to leverage expertise in applied psychology to create learning environments that embed the humanistic skills to positively enhance and advance growth and development in interpersonal relationships.
For more than 40 years, change has been a constant theme in finding ways to keep ACAP’s original vision front and centre. Applying our practical, experiential education model to other industries, we now offer a suite of disciplines in the helping professions and beyond.
Our undergraduate courses in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work and Criminology provide a solid foundation for students eager to make a degree of difference in the world, while our postgraduate courses in Law (PLT), Coaching and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) equip students with the skills they need to become leaders in their field.
ACAP's timeline
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1983: ACAP was established
Canadian Cliff Moore opens ACAP in a small upstairs office on Broadway in Sydney, offering ten-week diplomas in counselling and psychotherapy.
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1993 - 1997: Accredited Counselling & VETAB
First private education institution in Australia to deliver accredited counselling courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. 1993 - 1997 delivers rapid growth and university partnerships.
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2003: ACAP becomes a HEP
2003 ACAP becomes an approved HEP under the NSW Higher Education Act. Postgrad courses accredited in NSW and QLD. In 2004 ACAP is approved to deliver bachelor of applied social science in NSW and QLD.
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2011: ACAP offers Psychology
In 2011 Psychology, followed by Social Work, is offered by ACAP.
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2017: ACAP appointed self-accrediting authority
In 2017, ACAP was authorised to self accredit courses at AQF levels 5-9 (Diploma to Masters level) in a range of fields covering courses in Psychological Science, Counselling and Criminology.
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2021: ACAP takes on a new name
To enable the college to use our experiential adult education model in other industries, ACAP rebranded to the Australian College of Applied Professions.
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2024: ACAP becomes a University College
ACAP proudly became a University College, placing us among an elite group of higher education providers recognised for academic excellence and exceptional student outcomes. In November 2024, we rebranded to become ACAP University College, embracing a pseudo-acronym that consolidates our past and present, and honours our elevated status as a respected higher education provider.