Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
PGDipChFamPsyc
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry times
November
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry times
November
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Overview
The limited entry Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology is designed for students who wish to become registered child and family psychologists with the New Zealand Psychologists' Board.
It involves a programme of academic study and professional development, which consists of practicums and internships. The Child and Family Psychology programme is based within the renowned Te Kura Mātai Hauora | School of Health Sciences at UC, and students can get applied experience in the Pukemanu Centre which offers free counselling for families in the Ōtautahi Christchurch region.
Students wishing to enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology must have either:
- a bachelor's degree with a major in Psychology; or
- a bachelor's degree with a major in Education, and at least 135 points in Psychology, with at least 45 points at 200-level and 60 points at 300-level or above; or
- any bachelor's degree, and a Graduate Diploma in Arts or a Graduate Diploma in Science in Psychology; or
- a bachelor's degree with a major in Education or Teaching and a minor in Psychology, provided that you are also enrolled in an approved Master of Education.
You must also either be currently enrolled in, or have completed, a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc) in Child and Family Psychology, or a PhD, or equivalent study approved by the Director, School of Health Sciences.
The PGDipChFamPsyc can be started after Part I of the MA or MSc in Child and Family Psychology (or an approved Master of Education) is completed. This programme can then be started alongside the second year of the master’s, or in a subsequent year.
Students must also have completed the following courses:
- PSYC 206 Research Design and Statistics (or an equivalent research methods paper)
- CFPY 601 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
- CFPY 602 Child Development: Research Contexts and Applications
- CFPY 603 Introduction to Interventions
- COUN 671 Counselling and Psychology: Theories and Skills
- HLTH 472 Introduction to Psychometric Theory and Administration
- and an approved research methods course or equivalent, as approved by the Director, School of Health Sciences.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
Limited entry
This is a limited-entry qualification and a special application is required for this programme – see 'How to apply' below.
Students also need to be approved by the Dean of Education and Health Sciences.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
Entry is limited to a maximum of 10 places – applications close on 1 October each year. For more application details and the application form for this limited entry programme, please see the Child and Family Psychology webpage.
Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology involves a programme of academic study and professional development which consists of Summer School, the Practicum Year, and the Internship Year. The Internship Year begins once the academic component and Practicum Year is completed.
The Diploma incorporates five courses equivalent to 195 points, and supervised full-time practical work in one or more institutions approved by the Director, School of Health Sciences. Such practical work will normally be the equivalent of one year. Under some circumstances, with the approval of the Director, School of Health Sciences, the practical work may be completed over two or more years.
Students will normally complete the Diploma within 2 years full-time, with usually 1 year made up of practical work. Students are able to complete the PGDipChFamPsyc part-time within 4 years.
The Diploma is made up of five courses:
- CFPY 501 Models of Practice in Child and Family Psychology
- CFPY 502 Professional Skills and Practicum
- CFPY 503 Advanced Academic Development
- CFPY 504 Advanced Professional Practice in Child and Family Psychology
- CFPY 505 Structuring and Examining Professional Practice
After completing CFPY 501 and CFPY 502, students will then complete supervised full-time practical work in one or more institutions.
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.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 195 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $14,253 |
| 2021 | 195 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $14,410 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 195 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $62,400 |
| 2021 | 195 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $64,188 |
Contact us
See more information about our Child and Family Psychology programme.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology.
For study planning help, contact our Student Advisor team.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).