Postgraduate study in Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health

What can you study or research in Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health?

You can study towards an Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health specialisation within a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Sciences, in the Master of Health Sciences or within the Faculty of Education and Social Work in the Master of Social Work, Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, Master of Counselling, or Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Theory.

You cover three main areas of study in the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences:

  • Development: Typical and selected atypical development of children and adolescents
  • Psychopathology: Aetiology and presentation of common child and adolescent mental health disorders, application and critical evaluation of the DSM
  • Assessment, formulation and treatment planning in relation to child and adolescent mental health problems

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHSC) in Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health covers how to work with particular populations and/or to practice particular treatments. The programme also includes research methods and/or how evidence is generated and evaluation of evidence.

The Faculty of Education and Social Work offers courses that cover theories and concepts relevant to understanding mental illness in children and young people and approaches to care and recovery, with emphasis on evidence-based interventions for supporting severely emotionally distressed children and young people in New Zealand. Topics may include mental health policy, youth mentoring, positive youth development, risk assessment, as well as working with sexual abuse, family violence, trauma, anxiety, depression, self-harm and grief.

Entry requirements for Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health

You should have an undergraduate degree in health sciences (or similar) at a recognised university (or similar institution).

Courses

Postgraduate programmes

Masters Degrees