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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

Develop advanced clinical and professional supervision skills while learning alongside practitioners from a wide range of professions. Grow your skill set through short block-courses and flexible, online, self-directed study, with feedback from peers and lecturers. This multi-disciplinary programme is designed to meet the demand for qualified supervisors in social and human services.

Throughout the programme you will examine the concept, role, purpose and benefits of professional supervision and explore a range of theoretical and practical models and approaches, including anti-oppressive and cross-cultural dynamics within supervision. Through classroom presentations, small group practice and written assignments, you will develop and integrate advanced knowledge, skills and values of professional supervision.

Through elective courses, you will develop critical skills in staff management and explore teaching and learning strategies for supervising students on field education placements. With direct application to your current workplace, the programme will fine-tune your group supervision. It will cover the complex dimensions of stress and trauma encountered by health and human services workers. You may also study a special topic of your interest.

Programme Structure

This 120-point programme is delivered through face-to-face block-courses with online/study-guide support. It comprises two 30-point core courses and 60 points from a choice of elective courses.

If you have already completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision, it is possible to credit the courses passed for the certificate to this PGDipProfSup, leaving only a further 60 points to complete.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

This programme provides an opportunity to learn alongside course colleagues from a broad range of health and allied health professions. They include social workers, counsellors, legal workers, educators and human services workers. This advanced qualification aims to meet the need for qualified supervisors in the social services sector.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Clinical supervisor
  • Practice leader
  • Professional supervisor
  • Social work supervisor
  • External supervisor


Further Study Options

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university (or similar institution) and be currently employed in health, counselling, social services, legal services, education, human services or similar professional context.

You will also need at least three years’ experience in health, counselling, social services, legal services, education, human services or similar professional context.

Further Programme Entry Requirements

English language requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency.

You will require an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0. See alternative English language requirements.

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Other Pathways to Study

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this postgraduate diploma are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this postgraduate diploma, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree, or have equivalent prior study

and

b be currently employed in health, counselling, social or human services or other appropriate professional context

and

c have at least three years’ relevant professional experience.

2 An applicant who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision, or its equivalent, may with the approval of the Programme Director credit to this Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Supervision the courses passed for the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision.

3 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

4 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Duration and Total Points Value

5 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

6 The total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma must not exceed 160 points.

Structure and Content

7 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must pass:

a at least 120 points from courses listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Supervision Schedule

or

b (i) at least 90 points from courses listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Supervision Schedule

and

(ii) up to 30 points from other postgraduate courses as approved by the Programme Director.

8 The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director.

9 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Distinction

10 This postgraduate diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

Variations

11 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

12 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director.

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 60 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 30 points from Elective Courses, and
  • 30 points from Further Elective Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Compulsory Courses

Complete 60 points for ALL of the following:

Further Elective Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

Up to 30 points may be substituted from other postgraduate courses as approved by the Programme Director.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism