Qualification Regulations
Part I
These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Part II
Admission
1. Admission to the degree of Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology requires that the candidate will:
(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified; and:
(b) have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Speech Language Therapy, or a related relevant discipline, having achieved a grade average of at least a B in the highest level courses, or equivalent; and
(c) have completed at least 60 credits of Pro Vice-Chancellor or delegate approved psychology courses including at least 45 credits at 200 level or higher; and
(d) have completed at least 45 credits of Pro Vice-Chancellor or delegate approved education courses including at least 30 credits at 200 level or higher; and
(e) have completed at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, learning or community learning experience in a relevant field.
Qualification requirements
2. Candidates for the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology shall follow a flexible programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 240 credits, comprising:
(a) Part One and Part Two as specified in the schedule;
and including:
(b) any compulsory courses listed in the Schedule to the degree;
(c) attending Contact Workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.
3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, candidates who have been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) or the Postgraduate Diploma Resource Teacher: Literacy (RTLit), with a grade average of at least a B, or equivalent, shall follow a flexible programme of study which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits, comprising courses from the schedule, including:
(a) Part Two as specified in the Schedule to the Degree; and including:
(b) attending contact workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.
Specialisations
4. The Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology is awarded without a subject.
Student progression
5. In cases of sufficient merit, the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology may be awarded with a class of Honours.
6. For progression from Part One to Part Two of the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology candidates must have maintained a B+ grade average over the Part One courses.
Completion requirements
7. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.
8. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes; candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of the Pro Vice-Chancellor or delegate, be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Education without an endorsement should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.
Unsatisfactory academic progress
9. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.
Transitional provisions
10. Candidates who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Educational Psychology) and satisfy the entry requirements for the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology may transfer and complete the following 120 credits: 30 credits of 256.7xx courses, 256.855, and 256.847.
11. Candidates who have not yet completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Educational Psychology) may apply to transfer to the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology providing they meet the entry requirements and can satisfy all requirements as specified in the regulations.
12. In all cases candidates must complete the requirements within the timeframes for completion as specified in the Transitional Provisions or the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
13. Subject to any Maximum Time to Completion and the Abandonment of Studies provisions specified in the Part I regulations for the degree, candidates enrolled in the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology prior to 1 January 2025 may substitute 267740, if successfully completed, for 267721, until 31 December 2028.
Schedule for the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology
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.
Key terms for course planning
- 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.
Part One
Compulsory courses (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 256701 Ako: Psychology of Learning and Teaching 15 credits
A study of learning and teaching processes within an ecological and developmental framework emphasising what learners bring to their learning and factors that support and hinder engagement. A focus on the use of psychological tools for learning/teaching (use of language, literacy and numeracy) allows in depth consideration of complex higher order processes and how they can be developed.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256702 Ahurei: The Psychology of Unique Differences 15 credits
A study of how learners and teachers bring their diversity (defined by sociocultural, medical, developmental, and psychological frameworks) to their learning and teaching. A critical analysis of the way society and government systems defines and responds to diversity is central to this course, as is consideration of how contemporary inclusive education and positive psychology can better support learning for all.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267721 Research Methodologies in Education 15 credits
An advanced study of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research design in education. Theoretical and practical issues of research are studied under three course themes: context for research, research designs, data collection and analysis.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267741 Indigenous Research Methodologies 15 credits
A study of Māori research frameworks, philosophies and processes and an examination of their contribution to the growing body of indigenous scholarship as relevant to educational settings.
View full course detailsCompulsory course selection (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 256703 He Taiao Ako: Psychology of Educational Settings 15 credits
A study of formal and informal educational settings, beginning with the teaching-learning relationship that is parenting, and moving through formal child and adolescent educational contexts into adult education. The psychological frameworks that help us understand the complexity of these settings and the interactions that occur within them are examined, along with how best to approach professional work in these settings.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256704 Waiora: Psychology of Wellbeing and Ako 15 credits
A study of traditional and contemporary positive approaches to understanding and responding to mental health and wellbeing needs. A focus on the roles of schools in promotion and prevention is provided with reference to systemic, whole school, small group, and individual interventions. Evidence-based approaches to intervention are introduced, along with processes for risk-assessment in relation to mental health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256705 Whanaungatanga: Psychology of Relationships in Ako 15 credits
A study into space for relationships and relationship trust that underpin development and learning. The role of tikanga and psychological approaches that rely on relationships, such as interviewing, counselling, mediation, conflict resolution are explored, along with the multi-disciplinary situations that are inherent in educational and developmental psychology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256706 Whakapiki: Psychology of Change and Development 15 credits
A study of models and approaches that support the instigation and facilitation of change at the system, classroom, home, or individual levels. Contemporary practice in talking therapies, motivational interviewing, and brief therapy are explored and consideration is also given to specific issues such as disaster response, the impacts of trauma, principles of psychological recovery and the development of resilience.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256707 Mānuka Tākoto - Behaviour Challenges 15 credits
A study of the challenges experienced by teachers, specialists, children and whānau when individual or group behaviours challenge the ability to learn, socialise, retain relationships and impact on culture and identity, and to provide the tools to pick up the challenge for all involved to address these.
View full course detailsPart Two
Course code: 256847 Applied Research in Educational Psychology 60 credits
A supervised and guided research study presented in a research report.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256854 Educational and Developmental Psychology Assessment 30 credits
Advanced study in contemporary assessment in educational and developmental psychology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 256855 Educational and Developmental Psychology Practice 30 credits
Advanced study of professional practice in educational and developmental psychology. Principles, frameworks, competencies, attitudes and dispositions that underpin professional practice are critiqued and developed. Particular attention is given to bicultural issues, professional ethics, professional leadership, accountability and reflective practice.
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