The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Science (Wellness and Rehabilitation) is aimed at wellness and rehabilitation practitioners and recent graduates (in fields such as chiropractic, health science, massage therapy, medicine, naturopathy, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, sport and exercise) wishing to undertake a comprehensive programme of study in order to upgrade their qualifications and extend their knowledge and skills with the objective of obtaining employment or advancing their careers. The programme is tailored to the individual study needs of each student. Public and private sector organisations employing graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Science (Wellness and Rehabilitation) will benefit from the broad knowledge and skill set (including problem-solving) that the graduates have acquired during their programme of study.

Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Science (Wellness and Rehabilitation) will be able to

demonstrate mastery of complex concepts and theories in the field of wellness and rehabilitation and their application in solving practical problems

prescribe, monitor and critically evaluate wellness and rehabilitative programmes using a client-centred approach within their own discipline

critique and reflect on personal specialty practices and take responsibility for clients' needs

show evidence of advanced knowledge about specialist areas of wellness and rehabilitation

gather, evaluate and analyse information from a variety of sources

Graduates of this programme may seek entry to doctorate programmes of study.

Admission criteria for the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health
Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) are as follows:
Students will have completed all requirements of a bachelor's degree or graduate diploma in a relevant field (such as chiropractic, health science, massage therapy, medicine, naturopathy, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, sport and exercise) with at least a B grade average at level 7. To proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) from the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) or equivalent programme, applicants will be expected to have achieved at least a B grade average in that programme of study.

Special Admission

Notwithstanding the above admission criteria, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programmes may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, or has relevant industry experience, which is deemed to meet the required standard for entry.

Provisional Part-time Admission

An applicant who does not meet academic criteria may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more papers. Upon successful completion of the paper(s), the student may apply for special admission.
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved internal English Language Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below

IELTS test - Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet- based test (iBT) - Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21)
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations - CAE or CPE with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill.
NZCEL - Level 5 with the Academic endorsement
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PToE (Academic score of 58)
City of Guilds IESOL - C1 Expert with a score of 42

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they

Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
Hold a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or
Have achieved one of the English Language competence tests specified above

All enrolments in the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation), Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) and Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) are approved at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff as required. The Head of Faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the postgraduate programme.

Applicants may be required to attend an interview, or if they live at some distance from the campus, complete a telephone interview. Applicants may be required to provide copies of applicable certificates and evidence of previous achievements prior to the interview date.