Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision – PGDipSSS

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision offers an advanced qualification for professionally qualified social and community workers and other social service professional supervisors.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate diploma

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

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

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

2 years part-time. Not available for full-time study.
Up to 4 years part-time
Part-time available

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students

Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision – PGDipSSS

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision is intended for those who:

  • have achieved a high level of professional competence
  • are currently supervising social and community work practitioners and/or social work students on fieldwork placements.

The diploma will assist you in developing and defining a personal model of supervision relevant to the practice context you work in. You’ll learn selected theories and models of professional social service supervision. You will then go into a more in-depth exploration of the administrative, educational, and clinical functions of supervision.

Assessment is designed to be immediately relevant to your role as a social service supervisor.

A PGDipSSS is a good fit if you:

  • are currently supervising social and community work practitioners and/or social work students on fieldwork placements
  • want to develop and define a personal model of supervision.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision you will: 

  • have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent,
  • be professionally qualified in a social service field.

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.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

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.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications.  If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision

This qualification is only available by part-time study, you will normally take 60 credits per year for two years.

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

120 credits

  • Compulsory courses – 120 credits

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.

Compulsory courses (Choose 120 credits from)

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 179740 Social Service Supervision: Theory and Practice 30 credits

A critical examination of the key components of social service supervision theory and practice leading to the development of a framework for supervisory practice.

View full course details
Course code: 179741 Human Service Organisations and Leadership 30 credits

An advanced study of leadership, management, and supervision as it applies to human service organisations. This includes critically examining the functions of management and supervision, leadership and management theory, and organisational development and change within human services.

View full course details
Course code: 179742 Learning and Decolonisation in Supervision 30 credits

An advanced study in learning and decolonising in supervision, including identity journeys.

View full course details
Course code: 179743 Clinical Supervision 30 credits

An advanced study of clinical supervision in professional practice.

Prerequisites: 179740

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

This diploma provides opportunities for employment in a wide range of environments, including social services, private practice, management, and consultancy.

Many people who undertake this diploma are already employed in the area of social service supervision and use this qualification to enhance their professional competence.

Related study options