Programme Outline
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science offers two pathways, one for nurses and one for interdisciplinary health professionals.
The Diploma offers a selection of online and blended courses designed to meet the needs of health practitioners and other professionals whose practice has a focus on health. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science may be completed with or without a specialty option.
Nursing specialty endorsement options available are:
- Advanced Nursing Practice
- Registered Nurse Prescribing (approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand)
As a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science you will have developed your knowledge and skills of critical analysis, constructive synthesis and their application to health care delivery.
Graduates of this programme may be able to credit these courses to the Master of Health Science programme. Registered nurse graduates may progress to the Master of Nursing Science or Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) programme (pending successfully achieving the specified academic and professional practice criteria).
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Registered Nurse Prescribing) is approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand as an advanced nursing practice programme.
The courses required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Registered Nurse Prescribing) in the recommended order are:
- MN8.402 Advanced Pathophysiology for Health Professionals
- MN8.409 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing/Midwifery Practice
- MN8.401 Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
- MN8.424 Registered Nurse Prescribing Practicum
You will also need a minimum of a B average in the prerequisite courses to enrol into the RN Prescribing Practicum, and a minimum of three years’ experience in the clinical area that you will be prescribing in (a requirement of Nursing Council). We recommend that you take the opportunity to discuss your study options with the Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator, prior to enrolment. This will help ensure that you select the most appropriate pathway to meet your career goals.
For nurses contact:
Renee Goldbert (Nursing) on 06 830 1545, or email rgoldbert@eit.ac.nz
Career and Study Opportunities
Pending successful completion of the required academic entry requirements you may have the following further study options:
- Health Science students may pathway to the Master of Health Science.
- Registered Nurse graduates may credit their programme of study/courses to the Master of Nursing Science programme or the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) programme.
Possible career outcomes include a role in:
- Advanced Nursing
- Allied Health
- Research
- Project Management
Entry Requirements
The academic entry requirement for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is one of the following:
- A NZQF-listed undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a health-related field with a minimum of the equivalent to a B average as per the EIT-specified 11-point achievement-based grading system; or
- A degree or equivalent professional qualification in a different field if the applicant can supply evidence of work experience at degree level or above within a health related field, subject to an interview and/or the submission of a portfolio of evidence to establish the status and relevance of the applicant’s prior learning and experience; or
- At the discretion of EIT, where an applicant’s situation is compelling but not covered by the requirements listed above.
An interview may be part of the application process.
Additional entry requirements for the specified nursing practice endorsements may be required, including:
● Registered Nurse
● Current annual practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand
Special Conditions
For acceptance into some of the nursing courses, applicants must provide evidence of a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate.
For nurses considering the nurse practitioner pathway, please seek guidance in regard to course choices before enrolling.
Contact Renée Goldbert on 06 830 1545, or email rgoldbert@eit.ac.nz to discuss.
English Language Entry Requirements
Applicants from countries in which English is not the primary spoken language must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. Ways in which English language fluency may be demonstrated include:
Completion of a programme of study in which English was the language of instruction (conditions apply*)
Approved scores on IELTS tests, namely an Academic score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6 (or accepted international equivalents)
*See NZQA English language entry requirements for international learners at https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/
Entry with Credit
Applicants may be admitted with credit transfer or recognition of prior learning. The Postgraduate Programmes Cluster Committee has discretion in the granting of academic credit.
Academic credit may be awarded as specified credit where there is a substantial match between previous learning and the course for which academic credit is sought; or unspecified credit where the learning is broadly relevant to, and at an equivalent level to, the course for which academic credit is sought.
Credit granted shall not be for course(s) completed as part of an undergraduate degree, nor shall credit be granted that exceeds one-half of the total programme credits.
A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)/entry with credit application pack is available on enrolment. It is recommended that applications for RPL/entry with credit are made as part of your initial application. This will assist in our academic advisement to you regarding your programme of study and course selection. However, entry with credit cannot be processed until you are enrolled.
For further information please contact Stacey Wong, Postgraduate Programmes Administrator on 06 830 1507.
How to Enrol
Step 1 – Check entry requirements
Make sure you have read and understood the entry requirements for your situation and background.
Entry requirements can be different for domestic and international students.
Step 2 – Confirm campus and check key dates
The next intake date(s) for your chosen course and campus are listed in the Course Details panel on this page.
Dates can vary between campuses, so make sure you have selected the campus you wish to study at.
Step 3 – Confirm fees and costs
Visit https://www.eit.ac.nz/fees/ to see the fees for this programme.
Step 4 – Complete any supporting forms
If your course requires any supporting forms, they will be listed below under ‘Supporting Documentation’
Step 5 – Submit your application
You’ll need an up-to-date email address to start your online application.
You’ll also need to know what you want to study – your degree or programme and majors and/or minors, and the courses you plan to take.
You may be asked to submit supporting documentation with your application.
