Specialist Teaching

Become a resource teacher.  Work across schools, early education centres and kura with learners, teachers, kaiako and whānau to achieve an inclusive education system where all learners' progress is celebrated and learners' identities, languages and cultures are valued.

Choose from the eight specialist resource areas we offer:

What are our graduates saying?

 Through the ST Programme I have developed my passion for supporting mokopuna. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' within education, and when the environment does not meet the needs of the child, I am able to collaborate with kaiako and whānau to remove barriers and adapt the curriculum by drawing upon a strengths-based ecological approach which includes both theory and practice. 

Nina Reesen Fischer

Resource Teacher Early Intervention (EI)

 I valued being able to shape my study and mahi around who I wanted to be as a person firstly, and then as a Resource Teacher secondly. I am now more focused on supporting my schools through systemic changes to benefit ALL in my district. I am now able to continually apply new learning and knowledge into practice in reflective, ethical and culturally sustaining ways to support the growth of our district. 

Daelan Karangaroa

Resource Teacher of Learning & Behaviour (RTLB)

What are the entry requirements?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (PGDipSpecTchg) is a selected entry qualification.  To enrol, you will need:

• an undergraduate degree with a minimum B grade average (or equivalent), and
• a relevant teaching or other professional qualification, and
• at least two years’ relevant professional experience 

The Master in Specialist Teaching (MSpecTchg) is also a selected entry qualification.  You will need to evidence all of the above, and also to have been awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching.

What is the programme structure?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching programme consists of four courses, typically taken over two years:

The Master in Specialist Teaching programme for all endorsements consists of an additional two courses over one year:

Advisers on Deaf Children (AoDC) complete a Master in Specialist Teaching (Adviser on Deaf Children) (MSpecTchgAoDC) that can also be completed in 2 years. 

There are two compulsory contact workshop for the PGDipSpecTchg programme – held at the Auckland Campus Albany, at the start of the first and second semester (early February then mid-July) for both years of the programme.

Please note that neither the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching nor the Master of Specialist Teaching programme qualifies you to be a teacher in New Zealand.

How long does it take to complete these programmes?

The postgraduate Diploma programme takes two years part-time to complete, with the Master's programme taking one additional year (part-time). 

Neither programme is available for full-time study.

Where are these programmes available?

Apart from two 2-day compulsory contact workshops, you will study online at distance (i.e. from anywhere in the country). 

Neither programme is open to international students.

Is funding support available?

The Ministry of Education also offers contestable study awards for all endorsement areas in the postgraduate diploma, and for the Masters Specialist Teaching (AoDC). For more information: 

• Website: Ministry of Education Study Awards 
• Email: learningsupport.workforce@education.govt.nz 

Who should you contact?

Dr Wendy Holley-Boen
Specialist Teaching Programme Coordinator
specialist.teaching@massey.ac.nz

How do you enrol?

Applications for this selected entry programme close on 9 December. 

To enrol:

1. Login to the student portal and apply for admission to the programme and endorsement
2. Select your courses (as above) for the qualification