Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching – PGDipSpecTchg
The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching will give you the skills and networks to work in a principles-based, interprofessional way to transform outcomes for all learners. You will work collaboratively at universal, targeted and tailored levels to bring about barrier-free access to education.
The qualification uses inquiry and evidence-based approaches to support you in working with practitioners, kaiako and whānau in proactive and positive ways. Through developing strong and productive partnerships you will be able to support identity, language and culture across educational contexts.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching has four compulsory courses:
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Professional Learning Pathway (year 1 interprofessional)
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Specialist Theory and Foundations (year 1 specialist area)
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Community-based Practice (year 2 interprofessional)
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Practicum (year 2 specialist area)
The inter-professional approach allows you to learn with, from and about each other within a community of practice.
Your qualification options
Note: The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching does not qualify you to be a teacher.
A PGDipSpecTchg is a good fit if you:
- have a passion for inclusive education
- want to work alongside practitioners, whānau and kaiako
- enjoy hybrid learning opportunities
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching you will have:
- been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent; and
- been awarded or qualified for a relevant professional qualification; and
- have completed at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Application closing date
Applications close on 10 December for study commencing the following year.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English or Te Reo Māori and you have not gained a New Zealand university entrance qualification, or an overseas entrance qualification in a country where the main language is English, you will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English in the form of an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 (or the equivalent TOEFL score) or other evidence that is acceptable to Massey University.
IELTS EXEMPTION: A teacher who has registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and holds a current Practising Certificate, will be exempted from meeting this English language requirement. For more information, see the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Documents you need to supply to support your application
- copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
- a copy of your current CV (including education and employment for at least the last five years. If you have recently changed jobs to a resource teacher role, please ensure the new role is included as your current employment)
- a verified copy of your current practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (if a registered teacher with a current full practising certificate)
- if you are not a registered teacher you will also need to supply:
- a completed NZ Police Request and Consent form, along with two pieces of verified identification (one of which must be photographic) from the list of acceptable forms of identification
- a copy of a police report from every overseas country you have lived in for more 12 months in the last 10 years. Please do not supply originals as these will need to be supplied to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand at a later date.
- if you do not hold a current New Zealand Professional Registration you will be required to undergo police vetting prior to gaining entry into the qualification.
Curriculum vitae
Please provide a full CV including details of your educational and professional qualifications, employment history with dates and descriptions of roles and responsibilities, membership of associations/organisations, and a list of professional publications and research reports.
Health and disability
If you have any short or long-term disability including learning disability or heath issue that may affect your study, please upload a summary in your application. If you disclose any disability, health or personal information as part of your application, this will be assessed during the selection process and is confidential to the University staff processing your application.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching
Completion of this qualification requires attendance at compulsory contact workshops. See course pages for details.
If you have previously graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching you can apply to credit your courses to the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
120 credits
- Core courses – 60 credits
- Endorsement courses – 60 credits
A specialisation (endorsement) is compulsory, requiring 60 credits from the endorsement.
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Part A: Core courses
Course code: 254766 Professional Learning Pathways 30 credits
Bespoke learning modules for professional educational practice
View full course detailsCourse code: 254767 Community-based Practice 30 credits
Theory and practice of culturally responsive and relational engagement in local learning communities
View full course detailsPart B: Endorsements
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Completing an endorsement is compulsory. An endorsement requires 60 credits.
Blind and Low Vision
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Blind and Low Vision) you can create more equitable learning outcomes for all learners.
Complex Educational Needs
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Complex Educational Needs) you can create more equitable learning outcomes for all learners.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) you can create more equitable learning outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing learners.
Early Intervention
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Early Intervention) you can create more equitable learning outcomes for all learners.
Gifted Education
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Gifted Education) you can create more equitable learning outcomes for all learners.
Learning and Behaviour
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Learning and Behaviour) you can create more equitable learning outcomes for all learners.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz