AUT - Psychology Postgraduate Study

Charmaine Bright Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) in Psychology

This page has the postgraduate Psychology papers and qualifications (courses) that you can study at AUT University. See links to paper descriptions and outlines of each qualification.

Who can study Psychology at postgraduate level?

The AUT postgraduate programmes in psychology provide a pathway towards application for registration as a Counselling Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board*.

Counselling Psychology is a sub-specialty within psychology that focuses on health and well-being, and collaboration between psychologist and client to achieve desired mental health outcomes. Counselling Psychologists acknowledge the importance of medical, psychosocial and cultural perspectives in understanding and explaining both the formation of mental illness and problem behaviour, and in understanding, explaining and implementing the treatment and caring regimes to sensitively address illness and problem issues.

For Counselling Psychologists research and practice are not distinct activities. Counselling Psychology is committed to building on the concept of scientist-practitioner by producing:

• Practitioners informed by research findings
• A science informed by practice issues

The following three years of study will enable graduates to apply for registration as a counselling psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board:

1. Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) in Psychology
2. Master of Health Science in Psychology
3. Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology

Candidates can apply for enrolment at either the BHSc level or the MHSc level. Direct entry into the PGDip is not possible as the MHSc/PGDip is offered as an integrated package.Below is a summary only. Detailed paper information is available on the More Information web page. For a comprehensive overview of this qualification, please refer to the Academic calendar.

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Wanting to enrol. A step by step process to help you

Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) in Psychology (AK3662) 120 points

You complete the following papers:
589125 Integrative Research (15 points)
589601 Psychological Theory and Practice (45 points)
589602 Therapeutic Theories and Skills (15 points)
589668 Dissertation (45 points)

Master of Health Science in Psychology (AK3485) 240 points

AUT's Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) in Psychology is equivalent to the first year of the Master of Health Science in Psychology programme.  To complete the Master of Health Science in Psychology students would complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) in Psychology papers (120 points).

You complete the following papers:
589125 Integrative Research (15 points)
589616 Practice Research Project (60 points)

And:
589601 Psychological Theory and Practice (45 points)
589602 Therapeutic Theories and Skills (15 points)
589603 Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis (15 points)
589604 Psychological Intervention (30 points)
589605 Supervised Practicum (15 points)

And:
589668 Dissertation (45 points)

Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology (AK1232) 120 points

Papers in the Master of Health Science in Psychology and the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology are offered in integrated form, allowing students to complete these two degrees in two years of full time study or three years of part time study.

You complete the following papers:
589606 Theories of Counselling Psychology (15 points)
589607 Professional Frameworks, Issues and Applications (15 points)
589608 Counselling Psychology Internship A (45 points)
589609 Counselling Psychology Internship B (45 points)

Doctor of Health Science

The Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) is designed for health professionals with at least five years’ professional experience who wish to broaden their professional practice competency and expertise. It comprises of papers and research development, which culminates in a thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is undertaken by research only. There is no compulsory coursework involved. The PhD is an advanced postgraduate degree that is particularly suitable for students wishing to pursue an academic or research career. A successful candidate will make a significant original contribution to the body of knowledge in relation to a contemporary issue in health and environmental research. Students will have supervisors to guide and advise them, with one assigned as the primary supervisor.