Child Health - Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
Study the AUT Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Child Health and gain advanced knowledge and critical analysis skills in the field of child health in as little as one year.
Our child health courses draw on AUT's teaching and research expertise in the health, education, sport and social policy disciplines. Study is available at our North Campus and South Campus.
The programme can prepare you for further study at master’s level. It's a great postgraduate study option if you have been out of study for some time, or are unsure if postgraduate study is for you.
This is part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science.
Download programme guides
Child health at AUT is designed for registered health professionals working in child health settings who want to develop specialised knowledge related to paediatric care, child growth and developments. Our courses cover the latest research and practices, with a multidisciplinary perspective on child health.
You need a total of 120 points to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Child Health qualification.
Child health pathways you can study
You can choose from the following pathways:
Complete the following course
Semester 2 course
- HEAL848 Children in Context (15 points)
And select 75 points from
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL816 Special Topic (15 points)
- HEAL824 Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (30 points)#
- HEAL868 Neonatal Speciality Practicum (15 points)
- NURS804 Science for Advanced Practice (30 points)
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL847 Chronic Illness and Disability in Childhood (30 points)#
- HEAL850 Neonatal Pathophysiology (30 points)#
- PHMY801 Pharmacology Science (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL823 Innovation in Primary Health Care (30 points)#
- HEAL846 Management of Children with Acute Illness (30 points)#
- HEAL851 Developmental Assessment and Care of the Sick/Pre-term Neonate (15 points)#
- HEAL867 Child and Whānau Health and Wellbeing: The First 2000 Days (30 points)
- PHMY802 Applied Pharmacotherapeutics (15 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
# Course has special requirements
This pathway focuses on the care of sick or pre-term neonates and is designed to advance the scholarly and professional knowledge of practitioners working in clinical practice settings which delivers care to pre-term or sick neonates e.g. NICU, SCBU.
The pathway supports practitioners for all advanced practice role including a pathway toward meeting the academic requirements of registration as a Nurse Practitioner.
Complete the following courses
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL824 Advanced Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (30 points)#
Semester 1 course
- HEAL850 Neonatal Pathophysiology (30 points)#
Semester 2 course
- HEAL848 Children in Context (15 points)
- HEAL851 Developmental Assessment and Care of the Sick/Pre-term Neonate (15 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
# Course has special requirements
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.
The child health postgraduate programmes at AUT are designed for registered nurses and other clinicians who are working with children and young people as part of their clinical practice.
Depending on your experience and expertise, our programmes can prepare you to advance your career in roles as:
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Neonatal nurse practitioner
- Child and family nurse practitioner
- Nurse researcher
- Clinical nurse educator
- Transplant co-ordinator
- Charge nurse manager
- Clinical charge nurse
- RN prescriber in a variety of speciality areas
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science in Child Health
- Master of Health Practice in Child Health
- Master of Health Science
Study child health at AUT
Find out more about studying child health at AUT and how you can progress through our postgraduate programmes to suit your career goals:
- Focused on child and family education that is applied and practice-oriented
- Open to all qualified health professionals
- An integrated and interprofessional approach to child health
- Flexible study options, including on-campus block courses and online learning
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.