Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Educational Psychology for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
To understand learning in social settings of both formal and informal education, we must also understand the psychological concepts behind learning and social interaction. The Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology) draws on knowledge from both psychology and education to introduce new ways of thinking about learning and development. It addresses the topics of learning and motivation, individual and systemic educational strategies that are inclusive of all learners.
Your qualification options
- If you want to be a teacher, you will also need to take a postgraduate teaching qualification.
- To become a psychologist in the Education scope of practice, you will need to complete the Bachelor of Arts (Educational Psychology), followed by the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology.
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 programme 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 programmes 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.
Educational Psychology courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 256201 Educational Psychology credits 15
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 credits 15
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 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: 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: 263331 Assessment and Learning credits 15
Assessment concepts and procedures for learning and teaching, the construction and use of educational assessments, and contemporary issues in evaluation.
View full course detailsSubject 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 249384 Consultation and Collaboration in Inclusive Education credits 15
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 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 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 programme, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this programme 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.
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 – Bachelor of Arts
With Massey’s BA (Educational Psychology) you will explore what supports and hinders learning and how you can make a difference.
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