The aim of this programme is to enable students to critically evaluate evidence for practice within an interprofessional health context. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Practice also prepares students for independent research and scholarship. The programme provides greater depth of study than the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Practice as students explore their area of practice in depth and deepen their knowledge to further extend their practice. The target market is health professionals who have practice experience who would like to practice in an advanced role in their area of practice.

Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Practice will be able to:
1. analyse and apply advanced knowledge and research within their area of practice;
2. analyse complex health issues and generate solutions;
3. demonstrate effective academic scholarship;
4. critically evaluate evidence within an interprofessional health context.

In addition: applicable to students completing PGHL853 Registered Nurse Prescribing Practicum:
- demonstrate the Nursing Council of NZ Competencies for Nurse Prescribers (NCNZ, 2016).

Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma may be able to pathway into master's programmes.

Academic Requirements
An undergraduate degree in a health science/health discipline
or
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Practice or equivalent.

Alternative Requirements
If you do not hold an undergraduate degree in health science you may:
provide evidence of having completed a relevant professional qualification; and
provide evidence of successful completion of a relevant qualification or programme of study which is equivalent to those of first degree graduates, through the submission of a portfolio of evidence.

If your undergraduate degree does not provide the basis of study at the level required for more advanced study, enrolment in transitional or undergraduate courses may be required before admission to this programme.

Additional Requirements
Interview is required for students intending to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Practice (Registered Nurse Prescribing).
Where preparation is sought for an endorsement, you must also:
- be a Registered Nurse with a current Practising Certificate
OR
-be a Registered Midwife with a current Practicing Certificate.

English Requirements
If English is not the applicant's first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart. Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact Ara for an assessment.
IELTS 6.5 Academic (no lower than 6.5 in any subtest).

Note:
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
Students who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.