Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies
Interested in a career in psychotherapy? Already have a degree? The Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies can prepare you for further study in the Master of Psychotherapy.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies is designed for health professionals and volunteers, as well as individuals interested in becoming a psychotherapist and focused on a detailed understanding of human experience and behaviour. It’s the first stage of AUT’s integrated psychotherapy programme that leads to qualification as a beginning psychotherapist.
Graduates who go on to complete the Master of Psychotherapy can apply for provisional membership of the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists and under an interim scope of practice with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists website
Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand website
We encourage you to apply as soon as applications are open. Places are limited, and there are often more applications than available places. Once we have received your application, we may ask you to provide further information. Your application can only be assessed when you have provided all of the information requested.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
- A bachelor’s degree OR
- Relevant professional qualification or experience approved by the Dean (or representative) to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
- Interview may be required
International student entry requirements
The recommended background for the graduate diploma includes:
- Having engaged in at least six months of your own personal psychotherapy
- Evidence of people-helping experience (like counselling or similar)
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent.
Explore the theory and foundation skills of psychotherapy, and develop an understanding of human experience and human behaviour.
There’s an emphasis on self-awareness and experiential learning, so you learn to understand your own processes of interaction and develop effective communication skills.
Complete the following courses in the Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies
- MENH602 Mental Health and Psychopathology
- MENH701 Research in Mental Health
- PSYT702 Social and Cultural Analysis
- PSYT706 Psychotherapy Practice Skills
- PSYT707 Relational Psychotherapy
- PSYT712 Reflexivity and Relational Skills
We recommend that you engage in your own personal psychotherapy during the programme. If you plan to apply for the Master of Psychotherapy, you will need to be in your own personal psychotherapy for at least 6 months prior to applying for the master's degree.
Interested in child and adolescent psychotherapy?
If you plan to apply for the Master of Psychotherapy (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy) you need to enrol in the following graduate diploma courses:
- MENH701 Research in Mental Health
- PSYT702 Social and Cultural Analysis
- PSYT706 Psychotherapy Practice Skills
- PSYT707 Relational Psychotherapy
- PSYT709 Child and Adolescent Work Discussion
- PSYT712 Reflexivity and Relational Skills
Applications received after this date may not be considered.
($7,289 - $7,527 tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
($37,300 tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.