Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice – PGDipPsychPrac

Admission to Massey

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

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. There are extra requirements you must meet. Please contact us and we will email you the “Information for Interested Students, Supervisors, and Agencies” PDF, which explains the multi-step application process.
Email: academicadvice@massey.ac.nz

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice, you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a master’s or doctoral degree specialising in psychology which is approved as meeting Psychologists Board requirements (entry on the basis of a master’s degree requires a minimum B+ grade average); and
• have secured internship employment (paid or unpaid) in a workplace where activities require engagement in psychologically-based practice;
• have arranged for approved supervision in the field from a New Zealand registered psychologist who works in the agency that is hosting the internship;
• meet the requirements set down by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 as being a fit and proper person to be registered; and 
• be accepted into the qualification by a selection process.

You will need to provide the following documents:  

• Proposed Internship Checklist*, completed and with prior PGDipPsychPrac approval
• Proposed Field Supervisor Checklist*, completed and with prior PGDipPsychPrac approval
• Preliminary (in principle) contract with internship agency* for 1500 hours of supervised practice
• Preliminary (in principle) contract for supervision* with appropriately registered psychologist
• PGDipPsychPrac online Application Form
• Chosen referees identified in your online application form
• Confirmation from your referees that they have submitted their references before the deadline
• Enrolled online to begin the university application process 
• Verified Academic Transcripts including the title and abstract of master’s or doctoral thesis
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Scanned colour copies of passport and driver’s license
• Completed Supplementary Application Questions*, which include (among other things) four essays totalling up to 2250 words, and answer specific questions about the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the PGDipPsychPrac
• Optional: Supporting statements from whānau/family
• If applicable: Demonstration of English language competence – equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with no band lower than 7.0
• If applicable: Copy of your applications to the appropriate overseas authorities for records of your criminal convictions history and the resulting Police Clearance Certificate if you have resided overseas during the past five years
• If applicable: NZQA assessment of overseas master’s qualification
• If applicable: Proof of vaccinations may be required by internship agencies. Each agency specifies the vaccinations that are required of their employees. Please enquire early as the schedule for vaccinations and boosters required may span many months and must be completed (at the cost of the student) before the internship begins. If the vaccinations are not completed in time, you may not be able to begin the internship or the PGDipPsychPrac.

*These documents and guidelines for completing them are available in the “Information for Interested Students, Supervisors, and Agencies”) PDF. Please contact us for a copy:
Email: academicadvice@massey.ac.nz

If you have completed your research degree, it is important that you can verify that the qualification for your master’s or doctoral degree has been finalised. Please check with the university where you completed your qualification that the degree has been conferred before you apply to the PGDipPsychPrac.

For applicants who are still in the process of completing their research degree, for all master’s and doctoral theses we strongly advise submission by 15 November, which is significantly earlier than the official thesis due date. Theses submitted for marking after 15 November in the year that you apply to the PGDipPsychPrac programme are unlikely to be examined and marked in time for registration with the Board. We recommended you plan to complete and submit your thesis by 15 November in order to apply to the PGDipPsychPrac and apply for registration as an intern psychologist with the Psychologists Board. This is a requirement of the Board for registration as an intern psychologist and, therefore, is a requirement for enrolment in the PGDipPsychPrac.

Limited places

There is a limited number of places available. Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the qualification. We will select a shortlist of candidates for interviews and interview appointments will be advised. These panel interviews will be conducted in person on the Manawatū  campus in Palmerston North. Interviews may also be offered on the Albany campus if sufficient numbers of applicants request this option.

References

Your referees will receive information about how to submit the confidential reference and the deadline by which their reference must be submitted. Your referees must submit their completed reference forms via the upload button on their referee request email or send to admission@massey.ac.nz before their deadline. It is important that you confirm with your referees that they are aware of the deadline, and also to check with your referees to confirm that they have submitted their forms before the deadline. If your references are not received before the deadline, your application will not be considered.

Application closing date

Applications for study in 2025 have closed. Applications for study in 2026 may close as early as 1 June 2025 (to be confirmed).

Supplementary questions

These questions will be included in the application form and are included here to give you an idea of what you might need to consider and prepare in order to apply. Your responses will give us more detailed information about you, your professional goals and aspirations, and your understanding of the qualification. We encourage answers that are brief, direct, and to the point, while still providing sufficient detail.

1. Internship Agency Contract
   Do you have an ‘in principle’ agreement (this refers to the “Internship Agency Contract” in the “Information for Interested Students, Supervisors, and Agencies” booklet) from an employer for an internship? If yes, describe the nature of this internship; if no, briefly outline what steps you are taking to obtain an internship position.
2. Internship Field Supervisor Contract
   Do you have an ‘in principle’ agreement (this refers to the “Internship Field Supervisor Contract” in the “Information for Interested Students, Supervisors, and Agencies” booklet) from a programme-approved supervisor?  If yes, provide the name and qualifications of your proposed supervisor for this internship; if no, briefly outline what steps you are taking to find a proposed supervisor for this internship.
3. Research abstract
   Please provide the abstract and title of your master’s or doctoral thesis.
4. Work experience/other preparation and research essay
   The PGDipPsychPrac requires completion of academic course work. One of these courses is titled Advanced Professional Issues in Psychological Practice.  Please outline what preparation you have completed for an advanced course of this kind.  For example, have you completed Massey University’s course in Professional Practice, 175.730, or have you taken a similar course elsewhere? What other activities have you undertaken in order to prepare yourself academically for professional practice? Since psychological practice in Aotearoa New Zealand generally follows a “scientist-practitioner” model (broadly defined), it would be helpful if you would describe your research experiences, focusing on how conducting research has prepared you for practice in your professional area of choice. This answer should be 500 words or fewer.  
5. Cultural essay
   Cultural competence is one of the requirements for a practicing psychologist in Aotearoa New Zealand, prioritising bicultural competence and culturally safe practice that is in accordance with the spirit, provisions, principles, and implementation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Discuss your reflections on Māori worldviews and practices in relation to your own life experiences, as well as in relation to ngā tirohanga rua o te taha hinengaro (bicultural perspectives in psychology).  It may be appropriate to comment upon specific areas, such as te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Mātauranga Māori, Indigenous psychologies, links with local iwi, and your awareness of differences between Māori and Pākehā approaches to mental health.  Next, please also briefly outline your knowledge, skills, and experiences, both formal and informal, that you believe have prepared you to function effectively and respectfully when working with people of different cultural backgrounds, which may include any aspect of culture, such as age, ethnicity, nationality, language, abilities, spiritual beliefs, gender, sexuality, immigration status, and socioeconomic status, for example.  Describe some of your learning goals and plans for enhancing your awareness, understanding, knowledge, and skills in contexts where cultural difference is an important factor.  This answer should be 1000 words or fewer.
6. Personal statement essay
   Please discuss your reasons for seeking a career in psychology and your interests in psychology.  You also may wish to list the perceived strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge and skill gaps that you will bring to your studies and your training as a psychologist.  This answer should be 500 words or fewer.
7. Longer-term career goals essay
   Please outline your longer-term career goals.  How will your selected internship offer you the types of supervised experiences that will contribute to these goals?  This answer should be 250 words or fewer.
8. Challenging circumstances information
   Are there any circumstances in your personal or professional life that might make undertaking the PGDipPsychPrac programme challenging for you?  Are there any circumstances in your personal or professional life that might make you unsuited for registration as a psychologist with the Board (such as criminal convictions, English language ability, or prior rejection for registration in New Zealand, for example; please check the Board’s website so that you can address all Board requirements for registration as appropriate).  If yes, or uncertain, please explain.  There is no word limit for this answer.
9. Whānau/family supporting statements (optional)
   Your whānau are invited to provide supporting statements for you, should they desire.  There is no word limit for this answer.
10. Whānau at interview
    If selected for interview, do you intend to bring whānau/family to the interview?  If yes, please provide us with their names and their relationship to you.  (This is not to discourage you from bringing them, but to ensure that we can fully understand and respect their role and contribution to this process.)
11. Interview location
    If selected for an interview, would Palmerston North or Auckland suit you best?

Registering as an intern

If selected for this qualification, you will be required to apply for registration as an intern psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. When you apply for registration as an intern, you will need to authorise the PGDipPsychPrac programme and the Registration Board to request a check of your Criminal Record with the New Zealand Police. If you have been resident overseas during the last five years, you will also need to provide the Board with a Police Clearance Certificate (such as FBI Criminal Conviction Information/Fingerprint Information in the USA) or an equivalent form detailing any convictions you have had in any country in which you have lived in the past five years. In that case, with your application to the university, you need to provide a copy of the letter(s) by which you have requested such certificates.

If you need to request international records, we recommend you do so as early as possible - the process can take many months. Please email us for more information and assistance:
Email: academicadvice@massey.ac.nz

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.

The internship, with the associated course work, should occur within one calendar year. Part-time options are not available for this qualification.