Course details

Summary

The Masters degree (Master of Science in Child and Family Psychology or an approved Master of Education) consists of a two-year programme, open to graduates with an appropriate background in Psychology. It provides an equivalent qualification to an MSc in Psychology for students who have a special academic, vocational or research interest in Child and Family Psychology. It is also possible for students to complete the coursework and a relevant thesis within a Master of Education (MEd) degree. (For students wishing to complete only 1 year of study, a 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Child and Family Psychology is available from Part I of the Master's schedule).

Our programme places a strong emphasis on consideration of strengths and resiliencies as well as challenges and difficulties, all within the context of the child's environment. We focus on children’s mental health and emotional well-being as well as their learning. We also aim to reflect the social and political context of children in Aotearoa (New Zealand) with an appropriate bicultural emphasis. We also include areas such as parenting, adult mental health and relationships in recognition that children and adolescents do not exist in isolation but are part of family and wider community systems.

The content of the programme aims to be:

Intellectually rigorous

Based on recent international and national theory, research and trends

Evidence- based

Reflective of children’s ecology and contexts

Focused on the strengths, resiliencies and protective mechanisms of children and families

Informed by the social and political context of children in Aotearoa (New Zealand)

Graduates will have a grounding in the theory and skills required for work with children, and their families in all the contexts within which they present for help and support. These contexts include health, education, welfare, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

Qualification structure and duration

Part I of the MSc usually consists of coursework while Part II usually consists of a thesis or dissertation. Coursework must be satisfactorily completed in Part I before the student can proceed to Part II. The requirements vary depending on your choice of subject, as some subjects require only Part II.

Duration

• Part I and Part II must be completed in two years full-time; up to four years part-time.
• Part I must be completed full-time in one year.
• Part II is completed full-time in one to two years or, with the Dean of Science's permission part-time in up to four years.

Career opportunities

Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.

Entry criteria

Candidates must have completed one of the following:

• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science with Honours*
• Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science*
• Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Geology
• or any bachelor's degree and a qualifying programme.

* Students who have qualified for a Bachelor of Science with Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Science in a subject may be admitted to a MSc Part II (by thesis-only) in that subject.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.