Te Wai Ararau Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice

Duration

1 year

- stated in the official page's structured data, read 2026-08-16

Entry requirements

• Applications for study in 2027 opened on 16 March 2026, and closed on 15 June 2026. Admission requirements All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University. Massey University entry 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 apply, you will hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (or equivalent), and: either have been awarded or qualified for a Master’s degree in Psychology which must include a thesis of at least 90 credits. Additionally, candidates must have successfully completed approved postgraduate courses. A minimum B+ grade average is required over the thesis and the course work; or have been awarded or qualified for a Doctoral degree specialising in Psychology which is approved as meeting Psychologists Board requirements, with a minimum B+ average across all relevant courses. As part of the application process, you must meet the requirements as being a fit and proper person to be registered; and be accepted into the qualification by a selection process. By the time study commences, you must also have: secured internship employment (paid or unpaid) in a workplace where activities require engagement in psychologically-based practice; and have arranged for approved supervision in the field from a New Zealand registered psychologist who works in the agency that is hosting the internship; and be registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the Intern Psychologist Scope of Practice. You will need to secure an internship and supervision before your studies begin, so start thinking about options as soon as you decide to apply – especially if you do not already have agency connections. 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) agreement form with internship agency* for 1500 hours of supervised practice Preliminary (in principle) agreement form 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) 4 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 5 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 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.