Master of Psychotherapy
The Master of Psychotherapy programme is for students who wish to become psychotherapists.
This degree enables you to apply for interim registration with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand and for provisional membership of the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists.
Master of Psychotherapy (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy) graduates are eligible to join the New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists as student members and once qualified will be eligible to register with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists website
New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists website
Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand website
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
- Completed the Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies or equivalent with a B grade average or higher
- References and a police check are required
- Must have personal qualities that show suitability for this programme
- May be required to attend selection interviews
- Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: must be capable of meeting the Children's Act 2014 requirements, including police clearance
International student entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent
Courses in the Master of Psychotherapy
You complete a number of psychotherapy courses and research methods courses to prepare you for your research dissertation in the final part of the programme. At the heart of the programme is the dissertation, your chance to advance professional knowledge in the area of psychotherapy.
The programme includes participation in clinical work at a placement and at the campus psychotherapy clinic. It also has a requirement for the undertaking of personal psychotherapy. There is an additional fee for individual supervision in the second year of the programme.
You can choose from:
- Master of Psychotherapy
- Master of Psychotherapy (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy)
Complete 180 points from
- PSYT803 Reflexivity and Relational Skills I (15 points)
- PSYT804 Relational Theory and Ethical Practice (30 points)
- PSYT807 Clinical Assessment and Formulation (15 points)
- PSYT808 Reflexivity and Relational Skills II (15 points)
- PSYT809 Theorising Psychotherapy (15 points)
- PSYT810 Psychotherapy Practice IIA (30 points)
- PSYT811 Psychotherapy Practice IIB (15 points)
- PSYT830 Psychotherapy Practice IA (15 points)
- PSYT831 Psychotherapy Practice IB (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora, Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And one of
- PSYT802 Research for Psychotherapy (15 points)
- MAOH801 Maori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And complete the dissertation
The Master of Psychotherapy (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy) is for students or psychotherapists who want to become a psychotherapist specialising in child and adolescent psychotherapy. Currently this is the only specialist training in this field in New Zealand.
You’ll develop the skills to work effectively and ethically with children, young people and families who present with complex and enduring mental health issues. Graduates will be critical and reflective with applied research capability.
Complete the following paper
And 15 points from
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
- PSYT802 Research for Psychotherapy (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And 30 points from
Complete 135 points from
- PSYT810 Psychotherapy Practice IIA (30 points)
- PSYT832 Enhanced Observational skills (15 points)
- PSYT833 Child Psychotherapy Theory I (15 points)
- PSYT834 Child Psychotherapy Theory II (15 points)
- PSYT835 Assessment and Formulation of Children and Adolescents (15 points)
- PSYT836 Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Practice IIA (15 points)
- PSYT837 Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Practice IIB (15 points)
- PSYT838 Working with Adolescents (15 points)
- PSYT839 Advanced Parent Infant Observation (15 points)
And complete the dissertation
Applications received after this date may not be considered.
($9,461 tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
($48,000 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.