Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Educational Psychology for your Graduate Diploma in Arts at Massey
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to get the equivalent of a major in educational psychology. You can then go on to a postgraduate qualification in educational psychology if you wish.
Get transferable skills
Educational psychology looks at what supports and hinders learning. It informs policy and practice in education systems. The qualification will equip you with transferable skills including research, analysis, communication and problem-solving.
You’ll explore lifelong ako/learning and teaching through an understanding of cultural, cognitive, social, behavioural and emotional characteristics of learners and teachers.
Applied learning
At Massey, educational psychology is:
- the application of Western and Māori psychological knowledge in education and human development
- a science that seeks to understand and an art that seeks to apply those understandings in the real world, to help learners realise their potential.
A wide choice of courses
You’ll 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’ll consider in educational psychology include:
- how can we make learning more effective?
- what are the cultural and social mediators of thinking, learning and development?
- how can we best meet the learning needs of all learners?
- what factors help ensure educational success?
- how do we support the development of positive behaviours for learning?
- how do we reduce learning difficulties?
- how do we best support learners with disabilities?
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology) doesn’t qualify you to be a teacher.
Further study
If you successfully complete your Graduate Diploma in Arts, you could go on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts or a Master of Arts.
A Graduate Diploma in 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
- want to help tamariki/children, rangatahi/youth and whānau/family.
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.
100-level prerequisites
When you are granted entry to the qualification, you are not required to pass any 100-level prerequisite course/s for the specialisation. You may need to apply for 200-level courses using the Special Request function in Course Enrolment in your student portal if your previous study was not completed at Massey. If you plan to take any electives in subjects such as Languages, Economics, Mathematics or Statistics, you will need to meet the 100-level prerequisite 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.
Compulsory courses
Course 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: 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
To enter the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
If you hold a qualification at NZQF Level 6 or 7 in Education or Psychology and your aim is to progress to a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology, please contact our Academic Advisers to discuss your best options.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.
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
With the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Educational Psychology) you could find yourself working in:
- education and special education
- 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).
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated 5-star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
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 – 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 – 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.
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