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 Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies – PGDipCounGuidSt
With the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies you will develop knowledge and understanding regarding counselling and guidance practice and roles. Are you already in a human services role encompassing counselling and guidance responsibilities? Considering moving more fully into this domain? This postgraduate diploma will advance your knowledge and understanding in this regard.
This qualification is a stand-alone academic programme that is not in itself a professional counselling credential. Its primary purpose is to provide comprehensive conceptual knowledge and understanding of the dimensions of guidance and counselling and their contributions to a wide variety of personal and professional contexts.
There will be some attention in the qualification to basic counselling skills learning, but more within the broad context of helping skills relevant to enhancing relationships, supporting, and developing individuals, groups and organisational systems.
Students will also develop knowledge, understanding, and abilities for critiquing and drawing on research relevant to helping and human service contexts.
Whilst a stand-alone qualification, it also functions as a comprehensive theoretical foundation for the Master of Counselling for students who gain admission into that qualification. As such it is the standard major academic prerequisite for entry into that professional counselling qualification.
Your qualification options.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance does not in itself enable you to become a qualified counsellor.
Further study
This postgraduate diploma is an academic prerequisite if you are thinking of seeking admission into the advanced professional qualification, Master of Counselling. Completion of that qualification is a pathway for gaining membership into the national counselling professional body (the New Zealand Association of Counsellors) and to practise as a professional counsellor.
A PGDipCounGuidSt is a good fit if you:
- have an undergraduate degree, and want to gain recognition and further develop your professional capabilities
- want to further develop your knowledge and professional capabilities in the human services field
- are looking towards seeking admission into the Master of Counselling.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
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 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.
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 Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies requires 120 credits.
A student studying full-time would be able to complete the 120 credits in one year, involving 60 credits per semester. For those studying part-time, credits can be accumulated over time.
This qualification is normally commenced in Semester One because the core courses are double semester, starting in February each year and ending in October.
To progress to the Master of Counselling, students need to graduate from the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance with a B Grade average and above and apply for selection.
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
120 credits
- Compulsory courses – 120 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.
Compulsory Courses (Choose 120 credits from)
Course code: 253750 Counselling Theory 30 credits
A study of the theoretical bases of counselling. The course examines the place of counselling in society, its philosophical foundations, empirical status and major principles. Particular emphasis is given to selected approaches.
View full course detailsCourse code: 253753 Guidance in Education 30 credits
A study of guidance in educational settings. Attention is given to the philosophical foundations of guidance, its social implications, organisation and roles. Intervention procedures for individuals and groups are examined.
View full course detailsCourse code: 253754 Family and Couples Counselling 30 credits
A study of the theoretical bases of family and couples counselling. Attention is given to the concepts of 'family' and 'couple' and to systems theory. The processes of counselling families and couples are examined with regard to various approaches.
View full course detailsCourse code: 253755 Culture and Counselling 30 credits
An examination of the significance of culture in counselling. A multicultural perspective is adopted but with particular attention to the context in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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, 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
Graduates with a postgraduate diploma normally work as helping professionals or use the qualification to add to skills in their existing role.
Related study options
Master of Counselling – MCouns
Massey’s Master of Counselling will prepare you for a career as a counsellor and a provisional member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz