Indigenous Psychologies – Diploma in Arts

If you have an interest in how culture influences psychology, then Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) is for you.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

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

Specialise in Indigenous Psychologies for your Diploma in Arts at Massey

Indigenous (local) psychologies is a movement, perspective and approach that examines how the worldviews specific to particular (Indigenous) communities influence the thoughts and behaviours of group members.

Only specialisation of its kind

Massey offers the only specialisations in Indigenous psychologies in the South Pacific.

This diploma has been developed from an intellectual movement that recognises that ways of conceptualizing and interacting with reality differ greatly between individuals depending on their cultural affiliation and context. You’ll learn how and why Indigenous psychologies challenge the (assumed) universality of dominant Western psychological theories; explore phenomena, methods and theories from localised perspectives; and understand why this is necessary in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Indigenous psychologies explores how Indigenous perspectives/worldviews are integral to group and individual behaviour. You’ll learn why local knowledge systems are key to addressing local concerns. You’ll also gain awareness, knowledge and skills that will enable effective engagement with a range of people.

This qualification provides a unique and exciting opportunity to fully appreciate the extraordinary contributions that Indigenous psychologies provide in our world.

Further study

The Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) will provide foundational skills and awareness required for further postgraduate study in psychology at Massey, and is highly recommended if you wish to pursue a career as a registered psychologist.

A Diploma in Arts in Indigenous Psychologies is a good fit if you:

  • wonder how Indigenous perspectives are integral to behaviour
  • want to understand how Indigenous knowledge systems address local concerns
  • want awareness and skills to engage with a range of people.

Planning information

The Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) is only available for part-time study due to 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.

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.

Diploma in Arts core courses

Indigenous Psychologies courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 45 credits from
Course code: 175103 Introduction to Indigenous Psychologies 15 credits

The course provides foundational content of indigenous psychologies, including the rationale for their inclusion in the discipline of Western Psychology, as well overviewing their application 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 details
Course 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.

Restrictions: 175312

View full course details
Course code: 175314 Advanced Indigenous Psychologies 15 credits

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.

Prerequisites: Any 200-level psychology course

View full course details

Subject courses

Choose at least 15 credits from
Course code: 134221 Great Asian Thinkers 15 credits

A detailed investigation and analysis of the major philosophical systems which have developed within East Asia since the first millennium Before Common Era.

View full course details
Course code: 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society 15 credits

A study of the Treaty of Waitangi background, texts, principles, and application to contemporary New Zealand. There is a particular focus on land, legislation, court decisions, social policies, the environment, constitutional matters, claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty settlements. Differing perspectives of hapū/iwi/Māori and the Crown, as well as opportunities for resolution, are explored.

Restrictions: 269274

View full course details
Course code: 150303 Mana Wahine: Māori Women 15 credits

A theory and research based examination of issues that concern Māori women in all contexts, including the roles that Māori women assume both within a Māori social framework and beyond. Theories of mana wahine and the ways mana is maintained, enhanced or lessened will be examined.

View full course details
Course code: 179230 Tangata Moana Perspectives and Practices for Transformation 15 credits

Examining Tangata Moana (Pacific/Pasifika) perspectives and how they inform social practice and policy towards transforming individual, family and community outcomes.

View full course details
Course code: 241207 Chinese Diaspora 15 credits

This course will examine the emergence and transformation of Chinese international migration in the global context of China’s interactions with the outside world and diaspora’s changing patterns of political, social and cultural adaptations in various regions in the world.

View full course details

Subject qualification elective courses

Course code: 146102 Endangered Cultures 15 credits

An introduction to the impact of modern civilization on indigenous peoples based on ethnographic case studies and historical analysis.

View full course details
Course code: 150103 Nau mai e noho: Engaging with Māori 15 credits

This course will equip students with a range of skills to engage with Māori communities including common expressions in te reo, an understanding of key traditional concepts, customary practices (tikanga), the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi and the nature and structure of Māori social and political organisations.

View full course details
Course code: 150114 He Tirohanga Taketake: Māori Perspectives 15 credits

An analysis of Māori knowledge, custom and economic foundations. Customary lifestyles will be examined within a context of ritual, philosophy, technology, economic principles, and social organisation in order to understand Māori culture.

View full course details
Course code: 230102 Pacific Peoples in New Zealand 15 credits

An introduction to the distinctive cultures of Pacific Peoples in New Zealand. Students will develop an understanding of core values, traditions, cultural protocols, social processes and world views that are characteristic of Pacific cultures in the New Zealand context.

View full course details
Course code: 242103 Introduction to Japanese Culture 15 credits

An overview of the cultural development of Japan from early times to the present.

Restrictions: 169123

View full course details

Entry 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.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

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

The knowledge and skills gained from the Diploma in Arts (Indigenous Psychologies) will be foundational for a continued and life-long journey of exploration into how culture is integral to individual and group behaviour. Appreciating Indigenous psychologies will be useful in many careers where human interaction and behaviour is key, such as:

  • public health
  • counselling
  • psychological services
  • education.

Related study options