Diploma in Health Psychology: Hauora Hinengaro
(Level 5)

The Diploma in Health Psychology: Hauora Hinengaro is designed to introduce you to the psychology of human behaviour, in particular healthy and unhealthy lifestyle choices. The programme is suitable for people who wish to enter the support-worker field or as preparation for higher-level study in social work, psychology or counselling.

The programme will provide you with a sound knowledge of psychology and human development, while improving your academic writing, referencing, presentation and research skills.

As a graduate, you will have the skills and knowledge to:

• Discuss psychology and human development and the fields for which these disciplines are relevant at an introductory level
• Know how healthy relationships and lifestyles can be enhanced in Aotearoa/New Zealand
• Discuss Manaaki Tangata and Maori health and well-being at an introductory level
• Reflect on your own behaviour and lifestyle
• Use academic study and writing skills and be competent in presenting written work in APA format
• Use library and internet sources to research material
• Communicate effectively in group situations
• Programme structure

Programme Structure
The programme consists of six papers, which can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time.

Elective Papers

 
 Course Outlines

DP5101 - Health Psychology: Hauora Hinengaro
An introduction to factors related to the development of physical and psychological well-being, including the social and political contexts for this development. This course covers
coping with stress and pain, psychological impact of illness, lifestyle choices such as smoking and other addictive behaviours and how to promote health enhancing behaviours such as sensible eating and exercise.

DP5102 - Perspectives on Personality
An introduction to theories of personality, including Maori perspectives and research into personality assessment. This course also examines how these approaches relate to popular or "folk" psychology ideas about motivation, self-improvement and self-assessment of one's own personality.

BC5103 - Psychology and Contemporary Issues 
The material in this course covers practical applications of psychology in areas such as community psychology, environmental psychology and sports psychology.

DP5104 - Grief Management
Death and dying is a subject that affects everyone but is often avoided in Western culture. This paper discusses aspects of death and dying, children and grief and dealing with loss in a multicultural society.

DP5106 - Healthy Relationship
This course introduces students to the concepts of those verbal and non-verbal interpersonal relating and communication skills that are necessary for the development of healthy relationships. It explores areas such as listening skills, perception of self and others, the use of verbal and non-verbal language, conflict management and cultural aspects of communication.

BC5103 - Introduction to Individual and Social Psychology
This course provides a basic understanding of how psychological research has extended our knowledge of emotions, personality, motivation, social behaviour, assessment of cognitive abilities and psychological disorders and their treatment. The course includes an introduction to Maori perspectives and the role of psychology in New Zealand.

BC5110 - Counselling Theories
As well as discussing counselling theory and defining counselling tasks and problems, this course will give you an introduction to counselling skills and the application of theory.
It does not qualify students as counsellors but gives an insightful introduction to this subject.

AS5110 - Psychological Theory and Practice
Introduces you to the psychological theories of human development. This course also covers the effect of lifestyles on health, states of consciousness, abnormal behaviour and
motivational theories.

Entry requirements 
NCEA level 2 with 36 credits in three subjects or an equivalent qualification.
For students who have English as a second language a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent is required. The Head of Centre may grant special entry to individuals who do not meet all of the entry requirements.

Location Note
The programme is delivered at our Petone Campus*.
(*excludes BC5110 Counselling Theories, BC5103 Introduction to Individual and Social Psychology and AS5110 Psychological Theory and Practice which is delivered at our Wellington CBD Campus) 

Where will it take me?
Graduates may find employment in the support-worker field or progress onto further study in the field of counselling, alcohol and drug studies, social work or psychology. Students may credit some papers towards WelTec's Counselling and Alcohol and Drug Studies programmes.