Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice with a context in Occupational Health and Safety

In the process of achieving the Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice (OHS), you will:

• acknowledge your professional practice
• integrate and formalise your experience
• develop higher-level academic learning skills at a graduate level. 

The professional benefits of completing the qualification are:

• clarification and transparency of your status as a Generalist Health and Safety Practitioner
• achieving NZISM accreditation membership status of 'Graduate'
• qualifying for the option to list on the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) register. 

At the end of the 12 months, you will have achieved:

• new learning in your professional field
• new skills of professional self-reflection
• increased confidence in your professional practice.

• You must hold a bachelor's degree OR degree equivalent AND/OR relevant practical, professional or educational experience. 
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure you meet the entry requirements. 
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.  

The work-based learning approach centres round the relationship between you, your employer/sponsor or field of practice and Capable NZ. The programme is divided into three main phases. The first is a review of your professional learning to date reviewed against a core body of knowledge recognised for the generalist occupational health and safety practitioner. The second is an agreement on what new learning you would like to achieve for professional development against the core body of knowledge. The final stage is completing a project designed to capture these new ideas of insights and to enhance your personal and professional development.

Learning and teaching activities within each course may include:

• mentoring and facilitation via distance processes
• on-campus workshops and seminars depending on locations
• online support and course resources through the Polytechnic’s Learning Management System platform (Moodle) and other learning technologies
• online and video link assessment methodologies. 

1. If you want to find out a little more about this programme, send us an enquiry and we'll be in touch! 

2. If you know that you just want to apply, click on the light blue APPLY button in the top right section of this page and complete our online application form. 

Domestic students are eligible for student loans and allowances (dependent on other eligibility criteria). Please contact Studylink for additional information. Phone 0800 88 99 00 or visit the Studylink website.

While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative ONLY. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.

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