Diploma in Youth and Community Studies:

Diploma in Youth and Community Studies (Providing at least 1 years towards the new degree in Youth Development):

• This course is for those that want to pursue Youth Work as a career and already have a proven educational background.
• People awarded this Diploma are able to work with a considerable degree of autonomy and accountability for achieving outcomes as a youth and community work professional.
• The course is run over two years and offers over 200 credits at level 5 and 6.
• The course incorporates many of the modules for the Degree in Youth Development as well as some local (praxis specific) standards.

How do I access the courses?

The courses operate as a partnership between Praxis (which provides course content) and an agency (church or community organisation) which provides supervised practical experience.

We believe that learning is most effective when it takes place along side the experience of developing your own project with youth in conjunction with your church or a community organisation. We encourage each student to continue with their project after the course finishes.

You can access the course by attending classes through regional classes and block courses from anywhere in NZ incl Wellington or Christchurch

1st Year Diploma Course

Regional Programme

If you live anywhere in the country

Programme content is delivered at 5 block courses throughout the year, two of 8 days each, two of 6 days each and one of 3 days. You will also meet with a tutor in your region for up to one day per week in between block courses. ( these are called cluster groups)

Most of your lectures will be offered through these block courses, and you will be given assignment work to take home after each one. Outside of block courses, you are expected to work with your agency for at least 3 days per week.

Your block courses will be mainly in Wellington. Your travel to and accommodation in Wellington are at your own cost unless it is specified as a noho marae

We strongly recommend that all Regional students have regular access to a computer with email and internet. All Diploma students will definitely need computer access in order to meet requirements

2nd Year Diploma Course

The 2nd year of the Diploma can either be done full time by completing the modules in the year or over a number of years by selecting modules that fit in with your schedule. Generally modules are offered in 4 blocks during the year. Each module takes a term to complete starting with a workshop and involving readings and practical application in your workplace. For regional students, much of your ongoing learning will be done via Internet based conferencing and therefore it is required that you have access to a Broadband connection.