Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Psychology for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
Psychology is the systematic study of behaviour, cognition and experience. It is a social science dealing with emotions and individual differences. You’ll learn about behaviour and relationships in social and cultural contexts.
Psychology is also a biological science. It examines the neurophysiological, basis of learning and performance, as well as sensory and perceptual skills.
As a profession, psychology is dedicated to the promotion of human welfare.
Planning information
The Diploma in Arts (Psychology) is only available for part-time study due to the sequencing of courses.
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.
If you have questions, contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
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.
Psychology courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 175102 Psychology as a Natural Science credits 15
An introduction to methods and findings from the scientific study of psychology and its application to everyday human behaviour. Examination of basic behavioural, perceptual and cognitive processes and how these are influenced by biological mechanisms and cultural context.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175203 Introduction to Psychological Research credits 15
An introduction to methods commonly used in psychological research with particular emphasis on measurement, study designs, data analysis, and communicating research results.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 175201 Social Psychology credits 15
A survey of contemporary experimental social psychology. Against this backdrop critical perspectives are introduced with particular emphasis on the practice of discursive psychology in the New Zealand context.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175205 Brain and Behaviour credits 15
An introduction to basic biological processes underpinning behaviour and what happens when these processes are disrupted. Students will develop critical thinking and effective communication skills (both verbal and written) in relation to biological psychology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175206 Memory and Cognition credits 15
The central goal of the course is to consider how knowledge is represented and processed in the brain. Students will be introduced to the mental processes involved in thinking and knowing, studied within a converging methods framework that includes evidence from experimental psychology, neuroscience, neuropsychology, and cognitive science.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175210 Ngā Tirohanga Rua o te Taha Hinengaro: Bicultural Perspectives in Psychology credits 15
This course engages with the concept of culture, and its relevance and importance in a bicultural country such as Aotearoa. The interplay between non-Western cultural perspectives and the dominant form of psychology situated within a predominantly Western scientific paradigm, is explored. Indigenous perspectives in general and Māori worldviews specifically, are examined within and juxtaposed to, the discipline of psychology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175301 Community Psychology credits 15
Community psychology focuses on people within the contexts of social settings and systems, that is, in ecological relationships with social and physical environments. Conceptual frameworks, the roles of research and practice, and specific intervention strategies developed and used by community psychologists will be among topics considered.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175302 Introduction to Clinical Psychology credits 15
This course provides an introduction to clinical psychology and mental distress, with an emphasis on current thinking and research in the field. The course examines: the core concepts in defining and classifying mental distress; some of the major psychological disorders across the lifespan; empirically supported approaches to explaining mental distress; and treatments aimed at supporting people towards recovery.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175303 The Practice of Psychological Research credits 15
Study of the practice of psychological research. Students undertake a range of exercises and class projects to develop practical research skills.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175304 The Psychology of Security credits 15
An exploration of how psychology can be utilised to improve our understanding of, and responses to, the various security challenges posed by the contemporary environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175306 Assessment of Individual Differences credits 15
Study of the basic concepts of psychological testing within the broad context of the assessment of individual and group differences. Examination of the rationale behind testing and its application to a wide range of assessment situations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175309 Forensic Psychology credits 15
The focus of this course is to study the issues and controversies in contemporary relationships between psychology and law. The diversity of the field of forensic practice is reflected in the topics covered, and the themes of violence and justice are used to represent the multidisciplinary influences at the nexus of psychology and law within mental health and legal systems.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175311 Psychology of Women credits 15
A theory and research-based examination of the Psychology of Women as a sub-discipline with particular focus on how research in the field challenges gender biases and social assumptions. The history of the field is illustrated by classic and contemporary examples of research methodologies suitable for critical studies of sexuality, mothering and gender-based violence.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175313 Gender and Violence credits 15
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175314 Advanced Indigenous Psychologies credits 15
The course provides advanced content of indigenous psychologies, including their specific application in the theory, research and practice of psychology across multiple domains (e.g., health, education, social, policy, etc) in Aotearoa New Zealand specifically, and more generally in other cultural contexts across the globe.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175316 Evolution, Culture and Mind credits 15
An evolutionary approach to viewing humans as a species socialized into meaning-making, focusing on biological, cultural, and evolutionary bases of human behaviour, and on applying different approaches to culture to understand the self, and the functioning of societies and culture.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175317 Health Psychology credits 15
This course consists of an introduction to and critique of general theories and models that have been used to understand, describe, predict and change behaviours related to health and illness and health promotion. It has a strong focus on the application of health psychology in the New Zealand context.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175318 Conducting Psychological Research credits 15
Students will develop and apply hands-on skills for conducting research in psychology. They will design and conduct research for a range of psychological studies and develop capabilities in the ethical application of both qualitative and quantitative research and science communication. The course is designed to prepare students for postgraduate level study and/or a career that requires research skills.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175343 Personnel Psychology and Career Development credits 15
Study of applied aspects of individual differences in organisations. Issues such as selection and training, performance evaluation, occupational health and vocational and career development will be studied.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175345 Organisational Psychology credits 15
An introduction to key concepts within organisational psychology, concentrating on the interplay between theoretical issues and practical concerns. Students will be enabled to critically evaluate the implications which different psychological perspectives have for understanding organisational problems.
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.
Careers and job opportunities
Any setting where knowledge of human behaviour and interactions is useful may employ someone with knowledge of psychology, such as:
- counselling
- human resources
- public health
- rehabilitation psychology
- scientific research
- special education.
If you want to be a registered psychologist, contact us via the Get Advice button.
Accreditations and rankings
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Master of Clinical Psychology – MClinPsych
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Psychology – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in psychology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Psychology - Health Psychology – Master of Science
Understand the application of psychology to health issues with the MSc (Psychology - Health Psychology). Explore health promotion and policies, the meaning of health and illness, and how to analyse treatment structures.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz