Graduate Certificate in Addiction Intervention

Entry requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed all courses in the Open Polytechnic OP7800 Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addictions) qualification, or a degree in a related health discipline that would lead to recognition by one of the following organisations:

• Nursing Council of New Zealand
• Social Workers Registration Board New Zealand
• New Zealand Association of Counsellors
• New Zealand Psychologists Board
• Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand

 Admission Process

Applicants are required to complete a Consent to Disclosure of Information and Personal Declaration. The Consent to Disclosure of Information will give permission for the Open Polytechnic to obtain any records of criminal offences from New Zealand Police. The personal declaration will ask candidates to indicate whether they have any criminal convictions and whether they have a medical or psychological condition that may constrain their suitability for working in the addiction sector. The Open Polytechnic reserves the right to decline entry to the programme, or to suspend continuation on the programme, to any applicant whose police record, health difficulties or conduct are such that they be considered unsuitable for professional practice. This requirement applies to each subsequent year of enrolment.

Police vetting

When you apply, you need to complete a Vetting Request and Consent form. This form authorises the New Zealand Police to share information about you with Open Polytechnic*. All information is confidential.

When you return this form, you need to include two forms of identification. These must be verified by a trusted referee.

You can download the form and details of how to complete and return it during the online enrolment process.

Vetting Request and Consent Form

Credit recognition

Credit that can be awarded for existing knowledge and skills will be discussed initially with the Programme Delivery Manager prior to enrolment and formally considered through the Open Polytechnic’s RPL processes. Recognition of prior learning and cross credit may only be awarded for BHW501 Counselling Concepts and Theories.

Dapaanz Pathway

Only learners who have successfully completed all courses in both the Open Polytechnic OP7800 Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addictions) and OP7803 Graduate Certificate in Addiction Intervention will be considered eligible for provisional dapaanz registration.

Applicants joining with degrees from other health related disciplines will not be able to use the Graduate Certificate in Addiction Intervention as a pathway to provisional registration with dapaanz. Learners in this situation are advised to seek advice from dapaanz

English language requirements

If English or Māori is the not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need an IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5, or equivalent

Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/englishlanguage to view our English language criteria.

International students and domestic students living overseas

You cannot study this programme if you are an international student, or a New Zealand citizen living overseas.

Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/internationalstudent for more information about the special conditions and fees that you’ll need to meet.

Computer and internet requirements

This programme is delivered online. To complete this programme you will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, reliable broadband internet connection and a data plan able to support online learning such as streaming of videos (including YouTube), downloading content, and writing and submitting online assessments. If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access allows you to complete your online learning with us, please contact us before applying to enrol.

Learn more about our online learning and study tools.