Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies
Interested in developing core therapeutic skills that can be applied in a wide range of roles and contexts? The Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies builds on your existing degree.
The Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies introduces key psychotherapy theories, models and foundational relational skills. You'll develop a deeper understanding of human behaviour and relationships, build your reflective capacity, and develop knowledge and skills that can be applied across professional, community and personal settings.
The programme is suitable for people from diverse backgrounds interested in understanding psychotherapy concepts, including those working in helping professions, other professional roles and community settings, as well as those interested in personal development. It can also provide a pathway to the Master of Psychotherapy. The graduate diploma itself is not a clinical qualification and doesn’t provide professional training as a psychotherapist.
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
International student entry requirements
Preferred background
- Evidence of people-helping experience (counselling, social work, work within community settings etc)
- Having engaged in personal psychotherapy or counselling
Selection of applicants will occur. Preference will be given to applicants with the highest level of academic achievement and/or evidence of accomplishments in the relevant field.
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent.
You’ll develop a strong foundation in psychotherapy theory and practice, alongside a deep understanding of human experience and behaviour. The programme places a strong emphasis on self-awareness and experiential learning as core components of development.
There are two pathways:
- Standard (adult) pathway: develop knowledge of mental health, psychopathology and a range of therapeutic approaches relevant to working with adults, alongside transferable relational skills
- Child and adolescent pathway: explore psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory and concepts to support the development of skills in observing and understanding infants, children, and young people, with an emphasis on applying this knowledge in developmentally informed contexts
Standard Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies
Full-year courses
- PSYT706 Psychotherapy Practice Skills (30 points)
- PSYT707 Relational Psychotherapy Theories and Modalities (30 points)
Semester 1 courses
- PSYT702 Social and Cultural Analysis (15 points)
- PSYT712 Reflexivity & Relational Skills (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- MENH602 Mental Health and Psychopathology (15 points)
- MENH701 Research in Mental Health (15 points)
Year 1
Full-year course
- PSYT707 Relational Psychotherapy Theories and Modalities (30 points)
Semester 1 course
- PSYT702 Social and Cultural Analysis (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MENH602 Mental Health and Psychopathology (15 points)
Year 2
Full-year course
- PSYT706 Psychotherapy Practice Skills (30 points)
Semester 1 course
- PSYT712 Reflexivity & Relational Skills (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MENH701 Research in Mental Health (15 points)
Child and adolescent psychotherapy studies focus
Full-year courses
- PSYT706 Psychotherapy Practice Skills (30 points)
- PSYT707 Relational Psychotherapy Theories and Modalities (30 points)
Semester 1 courses
- PSYT702 Social and Cultural Analysis (15 points)
- PSYT712 Reflexivity & Relational Skills (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- MENH701 Research in Mental Health (15 points)
- PSYT709 Child and Adolescent Work Discussion Group (15 points)
Year 1
Full-year course
- PSYT707 Relational Psychotherapy Theories and Modalities (30 points)
Semester 1 course
- PSYT702 Social and Cultural Analysis (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- PSYT709 Child and Adolescent Work Discussion Group (15 points)
Year 2
Full-year course
- PSYT706 Psychotherapy Practice Skills (30 points)
Semester 1 course
- PSYT712 Reflexivity & Relational Skills (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MENH701 Research in Mental Health (15 points)
The Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies can provide a prerequisite pathway for students who want to pursue professional clinical training in psychotherapy through the:
The master's programme has its own admissions process and entry requirements, and completion of the graduate diploma doesn’t guarantee admission.
Master of Psychotherapy graduates can apply for provisional membership of:
All completed applications received before the 'Apply by' date will be assessed and an outcome will be provided as soon as possible.
($8,190 - $8,458 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
($39,200 tuition fees + $1,221.60 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.
