Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology – PGCertEdDevPsych
The Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology is for you if you would like to understand your own learning. You’ll learn about the multiple dimensions of learners in their formal and informal learning contexts and the complex environments and settings we learn in.
As a leader in education, a teacher, an educator, or someone working in the community, this qualification will develop your expertise. It will develop your understanding and empathy in working alongside others. You will use contemporary assessment, learning, and change processes and tools.
We have a strong bicultural programme to represent our context of Aotearoa New Zealand and our inclusive multicultural society.
Make a difference to children’s lives
The qualification emphasises the need to apply educational psychology critically to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people and those who work alongside them. There is a strong focus on ‘child voice’, learner identity, and young people’s rights to be involved in matters that affect them. The qualification foregrounds a child’s rights focus and adheres to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC).
The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (PGDipEdDevPsych) for educational psychology graduates is offered in 2023 and is running as usual.
A PGCertEdDevPsych is a good fit if you:
- want to understand a multicultural approach to assessment and learning
- wish to learn how to support the educational development of children and young people
- want to know how to work effectively with other professionals.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology you will:
- hold a completed master’s degree in education, psychology, counselling, social work, speech language therapy, or a related relevant discipline, with a B average across all courses (or equivalent), and
- have completed at least 60 credits of approved psychology courses including at least 45 credits at 200-level or higher, having achieved a grade average of at least a B, and
- have completed sufficient study and research in the area of psychology/educational psychology to be able to satisfy New Zealand Psychologists Board registration requirements, and
- have completed at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in a field relevant to the certificate.
You will need to provide the following documents:
- a copy of your current curriculum vitae, including details of your educational and professional qualifications, employment history with dates and descriptions of roles and responsibilities, membership of associations/organisations, and a list of professional publications and research reports
- a brief summary of research you have undertaken including the title and abstract of your master’s thesis if it is not included on your academic transcript or CV
- verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
Successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology will enable you to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (internship).
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete some undergraduate and all postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
More information
- General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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 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.
Structure of the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology
You will study part-time over two semesters.
Completion of this qualification requires attendance at compulsory block workshops at the Auckland campus.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
60 credits
- Compulsory courses – 60 credits
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.
Course code: 256854 Educational and Developmental Psychology Assessment 30 credits
Advanced study in contemporary assessment in educational and developmental psychology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256855 Educational and Developmental Psychology Practice 30 credits
Advanced study of professional practice in educational and developmental psychology. Principles, frameworks, competencies, attitudes and dispositions that underpin professional practice are critiqued and developed. Particular attention is given to bicultural issues, professional ethics, professional leadership, accountability and reflective practice.
View full course detailsFees 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
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
Your Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology can lead to numerous career opportunities in educational and community contexts. You could find yourself in a leadership, policy or practice role within schools, early childhood centres, community providers, NGOs or government bodies.
This is an entry qualification to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (internship year).
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Psychology
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz