In your final year, you’ll be able to select a practice focus in either:

• Mental Health and Addictions counselling
• Family/whānau counselling
• Working with children and young people

Practicum placements are a critical part of this programme and for your own professional development within the counselling field.

Emphasis is given to blending theory and practice through supervised practice and the application of theory in work-based projects and applied research.

Practice-based learning is a significant element in the programme. You’ll be introduced to practice learning in year 1 with an emphasis on understanding the practice environment and group processes.

In the second and third years, the emphasis shifts to engagement in counselling and group work practice. The practice-based learning provides the experience on which classroom discussions and integration of theory is based. This provides an ongoing and current work-based context for all learning.

Practicums in Year 2 and 3 will be supervised by qualified supervisors. The practice modules will have clearly articulated assessment strategies to ensure integration of theory, practice and placement learning.

Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be able to apply for provisional membership of a relevant professional body such as the NZAC, Te Whāriki Tautoko, NZ Christian Counsellors Association.

As a graduate of this programme you’ll be eligible for provisional membership of professional associations. While registration of counsellors is currently not mandatory, the current benchmark for counselling practice is membership of an appropriate professional association with an appropriate code of ethics such as the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), Te Whāriki Tautoko, or the New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association (NZCCA). Counsellors working in the addictions field in the health workforce require DAPAANZ registration.

You'll be qualified to work in a range of social services, mental health, and other counselling related roles. You may also pathway into relevant postgraduate programmes.

Academic requirements

Candidates are required to have:

University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 credits at Level 2 or higher) which must include:

• 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects

as well as

• Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing

and

• Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

OR

A qualification or examination recognised as being equivalent to achievement of NCEA Level 3 (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination)

* NZQA approved subjects: see https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/(external link)

OR

A relevant qualification at Level 4 on the NZQF; or equivalent

Alternative requirements

Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry by the Curriculum Manager (or delegate).

English Language requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Table:(external link)

• IELTS 6.5 Academic (no lower than 6.5 in each band),

Note: Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact NMIT for an assessment

The English Language requirements for this programme are higher than the minimum set by NZQA, therefore; applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance may be required to provide evidence of English Language skills.

IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.

Other requirements

In order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act, 2014 and Child Protection Policies for all ‘specified organisations’ providing a ‘regulated service’, all candidates/students will be subjected to safety checks. These will include but are not limited to;

i) A Formal Interview
ii) Referee Checks
iii) A Police Vet Check
iv) A Risk Assessment

Any unsatisfactory result arising from the full safety checking process may result in the candidate/student being precluded/declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study. Furthermore, students must declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may also result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the programme. Persons who are convicted of ‘specified offences’ will not be accepted onto any programme that requires that Person to work in an organisation providing a regulated service.

Candidates will be required to attend a selection interview/hui. The selection interview process may involve a group exercise and/or a written exercise. Selection will be made on the basis of the candidate being able to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.

This programme is made up of 360 credits.

Your first year will look approximately like the following if studying full time:

The programme generally has classes 9am to 2pm on Mondays and Thursdays and Friday classes end at 1pm.

Wednesday has a morning class in the first half of the year and no classes in the second half of the year.

In the first half of the year Tuesday doesn't have a class and the second half of the year has a Tuesday morning class. 

So we may best understand your personal application we ask you to complete a questionnaire to provide further details. 

Supporting document requirements(external link)