Child and Family Psychology

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.

The programme offers two qualifications.

Master's study

Please note: Applications for this programme of study will be reviewed in late October / early November.

This programme does not lead to registration as a psychologist.

The Masters degree (Master of Arts or 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 MA or 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).

Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology

The professional training programme is the limited-entry PGDipChFamPsyc. This is the pathway to professional registration as a psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists’ Board under the Health Practitioner's Competence Assurance Act (2003). Students ordinarily enrol in the first year of the Master's degree then apply for selection to this limited-entry programme in October of that year. After completing their Master's degree and the first year of the PGDipChFamPsyc, students undertake a 1500-hour internship year alongside further academic papers.

Students entering the Master’s programme must have completed a three-year undergraduate degree with a major in Psychology, or its equivalent such as a GradDipSc or GradDipArts with a major in Psychology. This requires achieving a pass in PSYC 206 Research Design and Statistics or an equivalent research methods course. In addition, all prospective students will normally be expected to have at least a B average in their 300-level undergraduate courses. 

Apart from the Research Methods requirement, we encourage a broad base in your undergraduate study of Psychology or Psychology and Education. As well as the obvious papers in child development, family psychology, psychopathology, counselling and applied behaviour analysis, papers considering inclusive practice and education provide an excellent and relevant preparation.

Masters Programme Structure:

Part one is made up of:

• CFPY401 Child and Adolscent Mental Health
• CFPY402 Advanced Child Development Psychology
• CFPY403 Understanding Family Systems
• CFPY404 Psychometric Theory, Design and Appraisal
• CFPY405 Psychology and Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand
• CFPY406 Paediatric Health Psychology
• CFPY407 Child and Family Interventions and Skills 
• An approved research methods course - this can be one of HLTH693 or PSYC460 or their equivalents.

Part two consists of a thesis, in a topic approved by the Child and Family Psychology Programme Coordinator.

Check the specific requirements and programme structure for each qualification in the degree regulations:

• Master of Arts enrol in CFPY690
• Master of Science enrol in CFPY695
  
• Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology

New students apply to enrol in the six foundation year courses within either an MA or MSc in Child and Family Psychology (or as part of an approved course of study within an MEd degree). On rare occasions, students assessed to have completed equivalent coursework or a relevant thesis may gain approval to complete fewer courses within either a Postgraduate Diploma of Science or a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences or Education.

• For the MA and MSc, apply online.
• For the MEd please contact Michael Tarren-Sweeney.
• For the limited entry Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology please visit our Application and Selection information page.
• Thesis enrolment - to enrol in part two of any Master's degree you must first gain topic approval and then fill out the following forms
  1. For MEd please fill in the college's Masters Thesis Enrolment Application Form and the CFPY Thesis Registration Form
  2. For MA and MSc please fill in CFPY Thesis Registration Form

This qualification requires students to undertake training in the community, including in schools/kura, early childhood centres, and health/medical facilities. Some training settings require vaccinations to ensure public safety. For this qualification, vaccination according to Ministry of Health and NZ government vaccination requirements is highly recommended. Students may be requested to supply evidence of their vaccination status before undertaking placements in particular settings. Students who do not meet these requirements may not be able to complete the qualification, even if selected into the limited-entry programme.