Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Education for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
The field of education is filled with interesting possibilities. Education provides critical analysis of contemporary educational theories, policies, and practices. Theoretical understanding and research skills enhance the way we analyse and bring information together.
Your qualification options
Please note that the Diploma in Arts (Education) does not qualify you to be a teacher. If you want to be a teacher, you will also need to take a postgraduate teaching qualification.
Planning information
If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in one year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.
If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Diploma in Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Education courses
Subject courses
Course code: 254101 An Introduction to Social and Cultural Studies in Education credits 15
A critical examination of social, cultural, political, historical and philosophical influences on the development of education in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally.
View full course detailsCourse code: 275102 Human Development credits 15
An introduction to the study of lifespan human development and learning within changing social and physical contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society credits 15
A study of the Treaty of Waitangi background, texts, principles, and application to contemporary New Zealand. There is a particular focus on land, legislation, court decisions, social policies, the environment, constitutional matters, claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty settlements. Differing perspectives of hapū/iwi/Māori and the Crown, as well as opportunities for resolution, are explored.
View full course detailsCourse code: 249286 Equity and Diversity in Education credits 15
Explores critical issues related to equity and diversity in life-long and life-wide learning. Examines the role of education in the marginalisation and exclusion of learners, how these inequities are reproduced, and the principles and practices that promote equity.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254200 Learning in the Digital World credits 15
This course is an exploration of what it means to be a learner in digital social worlds.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254201 Philosophy of Education credits 15
This course explores the philosophical complexities of education in its personal, institutional and social dimensions. Students will be introduced to some of the major debates in philosophy of education and engage in the critical and continual practice of applying philosophy across the many contexts of education.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254203 Sociologically Imagining Education credits 15
This course explores the sociology of education by critically inquiring into the relationship between personal experience, education and society. Students will be introduced to primary sociological concepts like race, class and gender to critically reflect on education.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254300 Historical Perspectives on Education credits 15
An exploration of the ways New Zealand’s current education institutions have been influenced by evolving philosophies of education, alongside key historical, sociological, ideological, political, and economic forces.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254304 Critical Theories of Education credits 15
Education as an everyday practice is the focus for critical theories of education. This course explores ways education has been theorized as a practice of liberation as well as a practice of oppression. Students will use these concepts to examine the role of education in shaping the social structure of Aotearoa New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254337 Teaching and Learning with Pasifika Peoples in NZ credits 15
An examination of the educational experiences of Pasifika peoples in New Zealand in formal and informal settings both in the past and present with a focus on effective teaching and learning practices.
View full course detailsCourse code: 254340 Politics of Education credits 15
This course considers the politics of education in Aotearoa New Zealand, using current social issues and education policy reforms to examine role of education in a democracy.
View full course detailsCourse code: 263200 Teaching as an Act of Influencing Others credits 15
An exploration of the ethics, principles, and key processes of everyday teaching and learning as a basic form of social interaction, giving students the opportunity to explore teaching and learning across the lifespan.
View full course detailsCourse code: 263301 Learning and Motivation credits 15
A study of contemporary theory and research on motivation in educational contexts with emphasis on implications for learning and for educational practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 263315 Teaching and Learning in Everyday Settings credits 15
A study of informal teaching and learning practices in a workplace, volunteer, leisure, cultural or community organisation setting. Focus is on the application of everyday teaching and learning theory in a real community context where access is self-negotiated by the student.
View full course detailsCourse code: 264200 How People Learn credits 15
An examination of how people learn in formal and informal settings
View full course detailsCourse code: 269332 Māori Issues in Education credits 15
A study of relationships between cultural values and education and of the extent of Māori educational needs and aspirations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 275203 Development in Childhood credits 15
An examination of physical, cognitive and psychosocial development during infancy and childhood in diverse contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 275208 Development in Adolescence credits 15
An examination of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial development during adolescence and emerging adulthood in diverse contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 275304 Development of Gender credits 15
An in-depth study of gender development across the lifespan, including consideration of biological, sociological, and developmental perspectives of gender.
View full course detailsCourse code: 275320 Risk and Resilience across the Lifespan credits 15
An applied study of human development, examining risk, protective, and promotive factors which contribute to resilience and positive developmental outcomes across the lifespan.
View full course detailsCourse code: 276330 Mathematics and Literacy in Society credits 15
An exploration of the importance of being literate and numerate through an in-depth study of our engagement with mathematics and literacy in everyday life.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
If you have already completed a bachelor degree
If you have already completed a bachelor degree you may replace 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry or 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking with courses of your choice. You will need to apply for replacement courses via a Special permission request in your portal and you will need to attach evidence of your completed degree with the request.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz