Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology – PGDipEdDevPsych

Become an educational psychologist by completing Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology. This programme is a one-year internship and provides a framework for supervised professional practice.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate diploma

Level of study

Postgraduate 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.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students
Note: Selected entry qualification.

Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology – PGDipEdDevPsych

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology is a one-year internship. It provides a framework for supervised professional practice. Successful completion of this qualification will deem you eligible for registration as an educational psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

What does an educational psychologist do?

Being an educational psychologist is a varied and multi-dimensional job and reflects an interest in supporting others to learn and live. Educational psychologists are a unique professional group who have in-depth understanding of psychology, education and learning.

All psychologists are registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Our course leads to a registration under the Education Scope of Practice.

Dynamic learning experience

The qualification has a strong cultural and relational teaching pedagogy, which embeds Mātauranga Māori. You’ll have the ability to complete your internship primarily in the Ministry of Education. You’ll develop a strong understanding of what it means to be an educational psychologist in Aotearoa New Zealand.

You’ll benefit from Massey University’s flexible approach to learning and you’ll be able to explore the areas you’re passionate about.

A PGDipEdDevPsych is a good fit if you:

  • want to work within an inclusionary framework
  • wish to be exposed to a wide range of theoretical viewpoints and practical applications
  • are keen to meet the needs of bicultural New Zealand communities.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are extra requirements you must meet.

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (the internship) you will:

  • have a B+ average or above over a completed Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology or over a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology (or equivalent), and
  • have passed at least 60 credits of approved psychology courses including at least 45 credits at 200-level or higher, and
  • have passed at least 45 credits of approved education courses including at least 30 credits at 200-level or higher, and
  • have completed at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, learning or community learning experience in a relevant field, and
  • meet all requirements as set by the New Zealand Psychologists Board for registration as an Intern Educational Psychologist, and
  • meet the requirements as set by the New Zealand Psychologists Board, in terms of good character and fitness to be registered
  • have access to a suitable psychology practice context and professional supervision for the duration of the programme.

You will need to provide the following documents:

  • copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
  • a copy of your current curriculum vitae (including education and employment for at least the last five years)
  • personal statement/cover letter
  • a completed New Zealand Police Request and Consent form, along with two pieces of verified identification (one of which must be photographic) from the list of acceptable forms of identification on the checklist (see below)
  • a copy of a police report from every country you have lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years – please do not supply originals.
  • contact details of two referees

Application closing date for study in 2025

Applications close on 19 August 2024.
Selection interviews will be held via Zoom: 16-17 September 2024.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Information session

We will explain the internship and selection process during a Zoom information session:

Massey staff and a Ministry of Education representative will also answer questions.

About the selection process

Entry to the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (the internship) is determined by a selection committee. The purpose of the selection is to determine academic background and experience of applicants to undertake professional training in educational psychology.

Criteria for selection for the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (the internship) programme are as follows:

  • Met all the entry requirements for the PGDipEdDevPsych qualification.
  • Professional background and related experience. You will have relevant background experience in education and may hold an appropriate professional qualification.
  • Availability of supervision and professional support. While the intention is to make the qualification widely available throughout New Zealand, selection will be dependent upon the availability of supervision and appropriate settings for work experience.
Health and disability

If you have any short or long-term disabilities including a learning disability or health issue that may affect your study, please upload a summary in your application. If you disclose any disability, health or personal information as part of your application, this will be assessed during the selection process and is confidential to the university staff processing your application.

Curriculum vitae

Please provide a full CV including details of your education 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. Please ensure this includes evidence of sufficient background experience.

Personal statement/cover letter

This statement should articulate what you can bring to the role of an educational psychologist including your personal philosophy/philosophies about education and learning and development in the context of Aotearoa.

‘Fit and proper person’

Successful completion of this qualification and your internship leads to membership of the New Zealand Psychologists Board. To become a member, you must meet the New Zealand Psychologists Board’s criteria for membership. You must maintain your registration with the New Zealand Psychologist Board in terms of being ‘a fit and proper person’ to be registered. 

If there are any circumstances in your past personal or professional life that you disclose as a part of your application, these will be assessed during the selection process and are confidential to the university staff assessing your application.

Referees

We require two people who can act as referees for you and who are able to provide informed responses on your personal suitability for the qualification. A referee should be someone who has known you for one year or more in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, ie, kaumātua, minister or similar. Your referee should not be a friend, flatmate, relative or someone who has not known you for at least a year. The information your referee supplies is confidential to those involved in the selection process.

Interview

All interviews will take place via Zoom. You are welcome to have whānau or support people with you if you choose. If you are offered an interview you will be sent a Zoom link to access for your interview.

Safety checks and disclosure of criminal convictions

You will be required to undergo a number of safety checks. These include police vetting (including confirmation of identity) and further checks required under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, Vulnerable Children Regulations 2015 and the Children’s Action Plan. You will be required to permit the Institute of Education to ask the New Zealand Police to disclose any information held on the police record system.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

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 Educational and Developmental Psychology

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology is awarded without specialisation.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology (the internship) is an integrated qualification, so you will normally be enrolled concurrently in all four courses.

Most students complete the qualification in one year (full-time study). In exceptional circumstances and only with the approval of the Academic Board or their delegate, the supervised practical work may be completed part-time over two academic years.

Delivery

Delivery of the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology is by distance mode – you will be required to attend some compulsory on-campus contact workshops.

Qualification structure

To qualify for the diploma, you will need to complete, to the satisfaction of the Academic Board or their delegate, supervised full-time practical work for a period of one academic year, in accordance with the requirements of the courses included in the Schedule to the diploma.

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

  • Courses from the Schedule – 120 credits

Supervised full-time practical work for one academic year.

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.
Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 256841 Applied contemporary practice in educational psychology 30 credits

Casework involving early childhood, children and adolescents and their caregivers/teachers/whanau is undertaken during the year under supervision of registered psychologists. Analysis of the casework is presented to be assessed throughout the course. The folio of casework includes projects that centre on working with individuals, groups and systems. The casework undertaken will be decided according to the individual and professional development needs of the student.

Prerequisites: 256854, 256855 Corequisites: 256844, 256843, 256846 Restrictions: 186841

View full course details
Course code: 256843 Evidence-based practice in educational psychology 30 credits

Evidence-based practice and application to formal and informal learning contexts. Developing a professional practice portfolio with reference to the Core Competencies of the New Zealand Psychologists’ Board.

Corequisites: 256841, 256844, 256846 Restrictions: 186843

View full course details
Course code: 256844 Competencies for Educational Psychologists 30 credits

Advanced study and supervised professional practice in educational and developmental psychology with a focus on competencies and critical professional reflection.

Corequisites: 256841, 256843, 256846 Restrictions: 186842, 256842

View full course details
Course code: 256846 Professional Leadership in Educational Psychology 30 credits

Professional Leadership and application of discipline knowledge, scholarship and research in supervised professional practice in educational and developmental psychology

Prerequisites: 256754 and 256755 or 256854 and 256855 Corequisites: 256843, 256841, 256844 Restrictions: 186842, 256842, 256845

View full course details

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology is your pathway to becoming an educational psychologist. Successful completion of this internship programme will deem you eligible for registration as an educational psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

There is a demand for educational psychologists in New Zealand. If you enjoy people, love learning, and are creative, this is an exciting profession. It leads to a vast range of professional opportunities in the areas of learning, assessment, leadership and management in educational and workplace settings.

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.

Learn more

QS Ranking - Psychology

Massey is ranked in the world's top 300 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

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