Postgraduate Education programmes
Become a teacher or advance your career with master’s degrees, diplomas and doctorates in education, leadership, TESOL, counselling and inclusion.
The University of Waikato offers a range of postgraduate programmes tailored for professionals and researchers across diverse educational contexts to suit your learning needs. These include:
- Programmes that advance your study to a Masters degree
- Programmes that advance your study to a Doctoral degree
- Shorter programmes and pathways, including Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma
- Programmes that lead to becoming a teacher
Whether you're looking to advance your career in teaching, counselling, educational leadership, or research, our programmes will equip you with the critical skills and knowledge needed to make a lasting impact in your field.
Become a teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (GradDipTchg)
Start your teaching career with a bachelor’s degree or through our Alternative Entry Pathway. Gain professional teaching skills and practical experience, with pathways into Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary teaching.
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDipTchg)
Complete one year of full-time postgraduate study and gain the skills and practical experience to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand. Entry requires a bachelor’s degree with a B average across 300-level papers.
Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchLn)
Designed for high-achieving graduates, this intensive programme combines research-informed teaching with practical experience. Develop advanced skills to support diverse learners and build your capacity for future leadership.
Further studies in Education and Community Services
Master of Education (MEd)
Tailor your MEd to explore specific areas in education and focus on a context of interest to you. Deepen your knowledge of curriculum, pedagogy and policy, and enhance your research and communication skills to support your career or further study.
Master of Educational Leadership (MEdLeadership)
This degree is for those wanting to enhance the quality of educational programmes and grow themselves as leaders. Papers explore how to support change and innovation, as well as how to understand, critique and contribute to educational research.
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (MTESOL)
The MTESOL is designed to build key knowledge and skills for current and future teachers of English to speakers of other languages. It covers second language acquisition, pedagogic linguistics and includes a teaching practicum for those new to the field.
Master of Counselling (MCouns)
The MCouns teaches narrative approaches to counselling and therapy. Designed for counsellors or supervisors interested in leadership roles within the New Zealand counselling profession and attracts professionals across a range of educational contexts.
Master of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services (MPSOCS)
This programme is designed to provide advanced learning, applied research, and community-based practice to develop expertise in professional practice roles in New Zealand’s social and health sectors.
Master of Disability and Inclusion Studies (MDInS)
The MDinS draws on a social interactional model of disability that critically engages with questions of identity, ableism and rights through tackling key questions of inclusion in research, policy and practice.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
The EdD is designed for education professionals to expand their expertise across diverse educational settings. Begin with taught papers, then complete a supervised research thesis. Flexible pathways provide choice for commitment to this level of study.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD facilitates deep study of a topic leading to the production of a supervised thesis. It may involve the gathering of data, generated by people engaged in an aspect of education, or may be a more philosophical exploration of the research question.
Postgraduate Certificate in Children's and Young Adult Literature (PGCertCYAL)
Discover the impact of children's and young adult literature on promoting diversity and social justice. This programme delves into current issues and theories, encompassing a vast range of national and international texts.