The Master of Professional Practice will assist practitioners in gaining advanced knowledge and skills to effectively respond to the demands of rapidly changing and increasingly complex health and social care practice environments. It will enable graduates to participate effectively in the health or social practice workforce as highly skilled, knowledgeable and confident practitioners able to work across professional boundaries to respond to real world problems. The focus of learning in the programme will include working reflexively with clients and communities within differing interprofessional collaborations and relationships. Graduates will be enabled to engage in transformative learning strategies that build on the strengths, knowledge, skills and relationships acquired as experienced practitioners. An emphasis on practice scholarship, research and industry-based learning approaches will enable students to develop more appreciative and critical perspectives about self, other people and the context of professional practice. This practice based learning approach will enhance graduates' ability to engage in future professional and work related challenges.

A graduate of the Master of Professional Practice will be able to:
- Articulate an area of practice to work reflexively in providing health and/or social practice professional services for specific communities or populations.
- Evaluate conceptual and evidence bases for advanced practice and use reflexive strategies to articulate clear reasoning for their practice with clients and colleagues.
- Engage in transformational and relational processes that stimulate professional growth, learning and change in advanced practice roles.

In addition, a graduate of Pathway One: Research in Practice will also be able to:
- Analyse and utilise the knowledge, procedures, resources, issues, and possibilities associated with research within health or social service practice areas.
- Critically examine a range of research approaches for practice inquiry, and demonstrate skills in planning, conducting, writing, and disseminating research.

In addition, a graduate of Pathway Two: Practice Development will also be able to:
- Engage in expert and responsive practice within complex and challenging work environments and across interprofessional teams.
- Evaluate effective decision-making with consumers and colleagues that reflects collaboration, creativity, and leadership in health or social service settings.

In addition, a graduate of Pathway Three: Industry-based Project will also be able to:
- Synthesise evidence to develop relevant, meaningful, and sustainable solutions for leadership, education, and practice-related challenges in the workplace.
- Work collaboratively to respond to changing health or social care needs within service delivery, professional organisations, and communities of practice.

Graduates of the Master of Professional Practice will be well-positioned to apply for entry to professional Doctorate programmes in New Zealand or overseas.

Entry into the Master of Professional Practice is via a Bachelor's degree in a relevant** area of practice, with a minimum B grade average overall, and a minimum of two years full time (or equivalent) graduate experience in a relevant health and/or social practice area of practice.

Candidates who do not have a Bachelor's degree but meet all other requirements may apply for special admission and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such students will be required to submit a portfolio and, if the application is successful, may be admitted on an equivalent basis.

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic band score of 7.0, with no individual band score less than 7.0; or equivalent.

Candidates must complete their application for selection at least two months prior to the commencement of the programme. Applications received after this point will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates may be required to attend an individual interview.

**Health or Social Practice (e.g. nursing, midwifery, social work, counselling and occupational therapy); other degrees (e.g. health promotion, public health) may be considered for entry on a case by case basis by the Postgraduate Team Manager.