Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (Clinical) (PGDipPsych(Clin))

  1. The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.

Admission

  1. Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma must have
    1. either:
      1. completed, with a minimum of a B+ average, the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Bachelor of Science with Honours, or Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours of the University of Waikato, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
      2. demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Clinical Psychology Selection Committee that they have adequate academic skills, experience, and are aligned with the New Zealand Psychologist Board’s practicing requirements under the Scope of Practice for trainee psychologists and
    2. demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Clinical Psychology Selection Committee and the Head of School of Psychology that:
      1. they could meet the criteria for admission to register as clinical psychologists as defined by the New Zealand Psychologists Board, and their New Core Competencies for Practice of Psychology in New Zealand, The Code of Ethics and Best Practice Guidelines. or
      2. they are suitable candidates with respect to:
        1. a Police vetting check,
        2. the Vulnerable Children's Act 2014, and
        3. the Vaccinations for Health Care Workers Policy.
          Details of the selection and police vetting processes are available in the programme handbook and Clinical Psychology supplementary application forms.
  2. Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma must
    1. be concurrently enrolled in one of the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Social Sciences, Master of Philosophy, or Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Waikato, in Psychology, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, with a research topic approved by the Head of School of Psychology or delegated authority, and shall complete the requirements of the concurrent degree before being eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, or
    2. have completed one of the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Social Sciences, Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Waikato, in Psychology, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, with a research topic approved by the Head of School of Psychology or delegated authority.
  3. The admission of every candidate for the Postgraduate Diploma shall require the approval of the Head of School of Psychology.

Requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma

  1. The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Postgraduate Diploma is three years.
  2. The requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma must be completed within eight full time consecutive years of first enrolling in the Postgraduate Diploma.
  3. Candidates must enrol in the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences and follow an approved programme of study, including where appropriate, the concurrent programme of study for the Masters degree in clause 3(a).
  4. Every candidate for the Postgraduate Diploma shall
    1. complete 140 points as prescribed in the Psychology entry in the University of Waikato Catalogue of Papers, including
    2. completing placement(s) and internship(s) in a setting approved by the Director of the Clinical Programme or delegated authority.
  5. The University will endeavour to arrange placements which will allow a candidate to undertake the practical and placement work referred to in sections 8(b) of these regulations but cannot guarantee to make such arrangements in a given year. If an approved internship position cannot be arranged, placement of a student may be deferred, normally for a maximum of 12 months. As placements become available priority will be given to students for whom they have been deferred.
  6. Every candidate must, before presenting themselves for the final examination for the Postgraduate Diploma, have satisfactorily completed the requirements of sections 8(b). The procedures and criteria for assessing the personal and professional competencies central to the satisfactory completion of the requirements referred to in sections 8(b) of these regulations shall be as prescribed in the appropriate paper outlines.
  7. A student may be withdrawn from the programme if:
    1. they fail more than two of the clinical papers (PSYC521, PSYC522, PSYC523, PSYC524, PSYCH526, PSYCH527)
    2. it is determined, by the Clinical Psychology Selection Committee, that they cease to meet the standards set out in the criteria for admission to register as a clinical psychologist as defined by the New Zealand Psychologist Board’s Core Competencies for Practice of Psychology in New Zealand, The Code of Ethics and Best Practice Guidelines.

Variations

  1. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.