Postgraduate study in Addiction Studies

What can you study in Addiction Studies?

In this specialisation, you study topics such as:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Studies
  • Theory and Skills in Counselling Practice
  • Assessment and Intervention with Addiction
  • Coexisting Problems: Theories and Principles
  • Biology of Addiction
  • Loss, Grief and Bereavement
  • Primary Mental Health

Develop your skills and knowledge with an advanced postgraduate qualification for health professionals who are moving into leadership roles in this area.

Subject structure

Students pursuing a 120-point masters are required to complete the following courses:

  • POPLHLTH 737 Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Studies (15 Points)
  • POPLPRAC 707 Theory and Skills in Counselling Practice (15 points)
  • POPLPRAC 708 Assessment and Intervention with Addiction (30 Points)

and 60 point dissertation
Or
45 points: HLTHSCI 795 Project
with

  • 15 points from:
    • MAORIHTH 701 Foundations of Māori Health (15 Points)
    • PAEDS 712 Youth Health Clinical Skills (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 722 Organisation of Health Systems (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 738 Biology of Addiction (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 739 Pacific Health (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 768 Special Studies in Addiction and Mental Health (15 Points) – by arrangement with the programme director
    • POPLHLTH 773 Pharmacotherapeutic Responses to Addiction (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 774 Addiction Consumptions and Public Health (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 702 Primary Mental Health (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 712 Project Planning for Lifestyle Change (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 754 Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 765 Coexisting Problems: Theories and Principles (15 Points)

Students pursuing a 180-point masters are required to complete the following courses:

  • POPLHLTH 737 Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Studies (15 Points)
  • POPLPRAC 707 Theory and Skills in Counselling Practice (15 points)
  • POPLPRAC 708 Assessment and Intervention with Addiction (30 Points)

15 points from:

30 points from:

  • POPLHLTH 738 Biology of Addiction (15 Points)
  • POPLHLTH 768 Special Studies in Addiction and Mental Health (15 Points) - By arrangement with the programme director
  •   POPLHLTH 773 Pharmacotherapeutic Responses to Addiction (15 Points)
  • POPLHLTH 774 Addiction Consumptions and Public Health (15 Points)
  • POPLPRAC 712 Project Planning for Lifestyle Change (15 Points)
  • POPLPRAC 765 Coexisting Problems: Theories and Principles (15 Points)

and
60 point dissertation
Or
45 points: HLTHSCI 795 Project
with

  • 15 or 30 points from the following courses in order to complete the 180 point requirement:
    • MAORIHTH 701 Foundations of Māori Health (15 Points)
    • PAEDS 712 Youth Health Clinical Skills (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 722 Organisation of Health Systems (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 738 Biology of Addiction (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 739 Pacific Health (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 747 Loss, Grief and Bereavement (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 768 Special Studies in Addiction and Mental Health (15 Points) – By arrangement with the programme director
    • POPLHLTH 773 Pharmacotherapeutic Responses to Addiction (15 Points)
    • POPLHLTH 774 Addiction Consumptions and Public Health (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 702 Primary Mental Health (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 712 Project Planning for Lifestyle Change (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 754 Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health (15 Points)
    • POPLPRAC 765 Coexisting Problems: Theories and Principles (15 Points)

Where can postgraduate study in Addiction Studies take you?

Graduates of this programme are expected to be in demand from a variety of employers, including Community Alcohol and Drug Services and mental health services delivered through DHB’s as well as a number of NGO’s that deliver addiction programmes.

Completion of the programme will enable graduates to achieve accreditation with DAPAANZ (Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association of Aotearoa – New Zealand).

Jobs related to Addiction Studies

  • Recovery Coach
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • Co-occurring Disorders Counselor (Mental Health and Substance Use)
  • Vocational Counselor
  • Nurse/Psychiatric Nurse
  • Detox Specialist
  • Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Addictionologist/Medical Director
  • Family Therapist
  • Social Worker
  • Case Manager
  • Administrative Support
  • Researcher
  • Educator/Teacher/Professor

Help and advice

For general student enquiries, please contact Student Hubs.  

For more information,  please contact Head of Department, Dr David Newcombe
Email: d.newcombe@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 9 923 6557

Postgraduate programmes