Graduate Certificate in Arts – GCertArts

Inspire people, shape policy, solve problems, create new ways of thinking, and transform your workplace and the world.

Type of qualification

Graduate certificate

Level of study

Graduate study

Graduate qualifications normally involve study in a different area to your first undergraduate qualification. Some are stepping stones to postgraduate-level study.

More about study levels

NZQF level 7

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

6 months full-time (60 credits)
Up to 8 years part-time
Part-time available

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand

Study a Graduate Certificate in Arts – GCertArts

The Graduate Certificate in Arts enables you to gain knowledge in a specific area of the humanities and social sciences.

You can use it to study another subject area without completing a second bachelor’s degree. Or if you already have an undergraduate degree, you can use the Graduate Certificate as a bridging tool to go on to postgraduate study.

A GCertArts is a good fit if you:

  • already have a bachelor’s degree and want to expand your horizons
  • have an interest in pursuing postgraduate study in the humanities and social sciences.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Certificate in Arts you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

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.

Structure of the Graduate Certificate in Arts

This qualification may be completed in one semester of full-time study (depending on sequencing of courses) or over a longer period of part-time study.

Prerequisite courses

Some GCertArts specialisations (Chinese, Japanese, Mathematics, Spanish, Statistics) include courses which have specific 100-level courses required as prerequisites which must be passed before enrolling in a 200-level course. Meeting prerequisite requirements may require you to study courses in addition to those specified for the GCertArts.

For all other specialisations, you will be automatically granted exemption from 100-level prerequisites. Check the requirements for your specialisation before you enrol in courses. 

If you plan to take any electives in subjects such as Languages, Economics, Mathematics or Statistics, you will need to meet the 100-level prerequisite requirements.

Please note: No 100-level credits can be included in the GCertArts. Any 100-level prerequisite course that you need to pass before you start the Graduate Certificate in Arts should be taken under the Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

60 credits

No endorsement option

  • Courses from the Schedule – 60 credits

Endorsement option

  • Courses from one endorsement – 45 credits
  • Course selected from the Schedule – 15 credits

This qualification is available with or without endorsement.

Ensure overall you have at least 45 credits at 300 level.

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.

Endorsements

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

You may enrol in this qualification with or without a specialisation.

Elective courses

Elective courses may be selected from any endorsement schedule and/or from the list below

Course code: 130301 Incident Command Systems 15 credits

This course introduces the systems used to manage emergencies, including the New Zealand Coordinated Incident Management System and other international variations. Consideration will be given to operational management concepts and tactics for effective incident response.

Prerequisites: Any 200-level course or Graduate Status

View full course details
Course code: 147201 Issues in Rehabilitation 15 credits

A study of major issues related to rehabilitation processes and practices. Students will examine rehabilitation in relation to personal, social and environmental factors and be introduced to terms, concepts and models related to disability, age, gender, culture, legal and political contexts, family and society, advocacy and inclusion.

View full course details
Course code: 147202 Mental Health Promotion 15 credits

The course covers the rationale and principles of promoting mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Attention is given to key concepts and frameworks underpinning this area of practice.

Prerequisites: 147102

View full course details
Course code: 147302 Alcohol, Other Drugs and Addiction 15 credits

A focus on alcohol, other drug use and addiction in Aotearoa New Zealand, emphasising harm reduction and health promotion as intervention tools. Students will develop a critical understanding of the aetiology and epidemiology of drug use and addiction, the co-existence of conditions with addictions, and effective legal, public policy and treatment responses to reducing harm.

View full course details
Course code: 170201 What is Feminism? 15 credits

An examination of feminist theories of gender and gendered social relations and the method of gender analysis.

View full course details
Course code: 175313 Gender and Violence 15 credits

A critical, research-based examination of the forms and prevalence of gendered violence, and an examination of selected legislation and intervention practices advocated for reducing and eliminating gendered violence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Prerequisites: 175203

View full course details
Course code: 230210 Tū Rangaranga: Global Encounters 15 credits

The course explores our connections, impacts, and roles in the world, and our rights and responsibilities as global citizens. It examines what citizenship means in 21st century Aotearoa/NZ, given its history, cultural diversity, and place in the global arena. The course introduces the notion of global citizenship, and explores the relationship between individual and collective action in addressing global problems.

Prerequisites: 230110

View full course details
Course code: 230310 Tū Tira Mai: Practising Engagement 15 credits

The questions of and possibilities for agency and action form the core of this course, through an enquiry-based exploration of the capacities of the humanities and social sciences for action, intervention and contribution in professional and community contexts. The course also covers the development and application of research skills, problem-solving skills, and ethical awareness in addressing practical issues.

Prerequisites: 230210

View full course details
Course code: 243201 Intermediate French Language I 15 credits

An intermediate-level review of written and spoken French, further developing skills in vocabulary, grammar, composition, comprehension, and oral communication.

Prerequisites: 243102 or 164107 or equivalent Restrictions: 243202, 243301

View full course details
Course code: 243202 Intermediate French Language II 15 credits

For students with intermediate level of French. An Autonomous level review of written and spoken French, further developing skills in vocabulary, grammar, composition, comprehension, and oral communication.

Prerequisites: 243201 or 164101 or 164200 Restrictions: 243301

View full course details
Course code: 243301 Advanced French Language 15 credits

For students with an autonomous level of oral and written French. An advanced-level course in French to further develop written and oral comprehension, expression and analysis, based on contemporary texts and recordings.

Prerequisites: 243202 or equivalent

View full course details
Course code: 243304 Contemporary French Popular Culture 15 credits

For students with Advanced level of French. Practical study of contemporary examples of French popular language and culture in a range of fields. An Advanced level review of written and spoken French, further developing skills in vocabulary, grammar, composition, comprehension and oral communication.

Prerequisites: 243301 or 164301 Restrictions: 164307

View full course details
Course code: 294382 Advanced Biosecurity 15 credits

This course provides an advanced exploration of biosecurity from a social science perspective and exposes students to a range of contemporary biosecurity issues and their management.

View full course details

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.

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.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees 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.

Careers and job opportunities

Graduates who choose to study the humanities and social sciences come from a broad range of disciplines and have diverse backgrounds. They include managers, researchers, educators and leaders looking for personal and professional development.