Where you can study
International students
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Specialise in Educational Psychology for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey
With Massey’s BA (Educational Psychology) you will explore lifelong learning and teaching through an understanding of cultural, cognitive, social, behavioural and emotional aspects of ako and development.
At Massey, educational psychology is:
- the application of Western and Māori psychological knowledge in education and human development
- a science and an art that seeks to understand
- an art that seeks to apply those understandings in the real world, to help learners realise their potential
You will learn about the complex relationships between learners and their environment. You can choose from a wide range of courses that reflect the diversity of psychology and education.
The types of questions you will consider in the BA (Educational Psychology) include:
- how can we make learning more effective?
- what are the cultural and social mediators of thinking, learning and development?
- how can teachers best meet the learning needs of a diversity of learners?
- what factors help ensure educational success?
- how do we support development of positive behaviours for learning?
- how do we reduce learning difficulties?
- how do we best support learners with disabilities?
Educational psychology looks at what supports and hinders learning. It informs policy and practice in education systems. Massey’s BA (Educational Psychology) will equip you with transferable skills. These include research, analysis, communication and problem-solving.
This qualification can be a strong foundation for postgraduate qualifications in teaching, psychology and educational psychology.
Your qualification options
Please note that the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Psychology) does not qualify you to be a teacher in New Zealand. If you want to become a teacher, you will also need to take a postgraduate teaching qualification. If you want to become a psychologist in the Education scope of practice, you will need to pursue postgraduate study in educational and developmental psychology.
A Bachelor of Arts in Educational Psychology is a good fit if you:
- have ever wondered how people come to understand their world and how they learn
- are interested in applying psychological understandings in educational settings to enhance learning
- want to make a positive impact for tamariki/children, rangatahi/youth, and whānau/family in schools and other educational contexts.
Planning information
If you study full time, in the first year you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school if you wish. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
You need to pass five courses at 300-level for your BA. One of these (230310) is in the compulsory core and three are required for your major. If you are not taking a double major or a minor, you will need to take one 300-level elective course to meet this requirement.
About this major
An Educational Psychology major consists of 120 credits (eight courses).
Progression to master’s qualification
If you wish to progress to the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology you must have 60 credits in psychology courses and 45 credits in education in your BA (Educational Psychology).
Minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
A Bachelor of Arts (Educational Psychology) with a minor
You may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that qualification will apply.
An educational psychology minor (for students who are studying a different degree)
If you are not studying towards a BA (Educational Psychology) and wish to complete a minor in educational psychology see the BA regulations for requirements.
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 Bachelor of Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Educational Psychology courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 175102 Psychology as a Natural Science 15 credits
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: 256201 Educational Psychology 15 credits
An examination of the contribution of psychology to an understanding of educational processes with a focus on the learner, learning processes and instruction. Issues of theory, research and application will be studied in a variety of educational situations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256304 Positive Learning Environments 15 credits
This course provides in depth exploration of the strategies and interventions for maintaining positive learning environments that support effective school engagement and achievement.
View full course detailsCourse code: 263301 Learning and Motivation 15 credits
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: 263331 Assessment and Learning 15 credits
Assessment concepts and procedures for learning and teaching, the construction and use of educational assessments, and contemporary issues in evaluation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 275102 Human Development 15 credits
An introduction to the study of lifespan human development and learning within changing social and physical contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 175201 Social Psychology 15 credits
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: 175203 Introduction to Psychological Research 15 credits
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 detailsCourse code: 175205 Brain and Behaviour 15 credits
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 15 credits
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 15 credits
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: 175306 Assessment of Individual Differences 15 credits
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: 249384 Consultation and Collaboration in Inclusive Education 15 credits
An examination of methods and practices used in a consultative approach to assist learners with special needs in an inclusive educational environment.
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 Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Educational Psychology), 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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
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
You could find yourself working in:
- education supporting inclusive practices
- youth support and mentoring
- youth justice support
- community organisations with an education and/or community support focus
- psychology (as a psychologist with additional postgraduate study).
Plan your courses
View your course options and plan your study using our course planner.
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Education
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
QS Ranking - Psychology
Massey is ranked in the world's top 300 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Related study options
Educational Psychology – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Help students learn, develop and achieve. With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Educational Psychology), you can study educational psychology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Educational Psychology – Diploma in Arts
With Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology) you’ll learn about both psychology and education, introducing you to new ways of thinking about learning and development.
Educational Psychology – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Help people learn, develop and achieve with Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology).
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support – PGCertLrnSup
Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support is for teachers and other professionals working in the area of Learning Support, in particular Learning Support Coordinators (LSC), and Special Education Needs Coordinators (SENCo).
Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching – PGCertSpecTchg
With Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching you can create more equitable learning outcomes for all learners.
Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support – PGDipLrnSupport
Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support is for Learning Support Coordinators (LSC), Special Education Needs Coordinators (SENCo), and Teachers working in the area of learning support.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz