Postgraduate Certificate in the Art and Science of Health Care

The Postgraduate Certificate in the Art and Science of Health Care is a post-registration programme designed for New Zealand registered health professionals seeking to advance their clinical practice. It offers a variety of papers focusing on advanced care, pathophysiology, pharmacology, pain management, and community practice. This postgraduate diploma/certificate can be credited towards Master's programmes across New Zealand.

Important:

For students considering Masters study there are options available to you - please contact the nursing post graduate programme manager Karyn Madden who will be able to assist and guide you through this process.

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Invercargill
Campus
Invercargill
Qualification
Postgraduate Certificate
Level
8
Credits
60
Duration

One year full-time

or two years part-time

Blended Delivery

Dates
TBC
Fees
This programme qualifies for SIT Zero Fees. Terms and Conditions apply. Click here for more information.
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees

Direct Material Costs

$757.00 (incl. GST)

International Fees

Check if this course is available to international students in our International section.

Course Outline

This Postgraduate Certificate in the Art and Science of Health Care is a post-registration programme for New Zealand registered health professionals wanting to develop advancing skills. A range of papers are offered with a focus on high acuity care, community practice and the interfaces between hospital and home.

You, as a health professional, will be able to develop skills of research, critical analysis, constructive synthesis and advanced practice in your discipline.

This programme delivered through Blended Delivery.

Applicants should have either a degree in a nursing or health related subject or proven evidence of Level 7 study.

Course Content

Semester 2 - 2026

Closing date for applications: 26th June 2026

818 – Pain, Pain Assessment and Pain Management for Health Professional (Online)

This paper provides New Zealand–registered health professionals with advanced knowledge of acute, subacute, and chronic pain, including comprehensive pain assessment and a range of therapeutic management approaches relevant to New Zealand’s healthcare setting.

This paper is delivered primarily online, with scheduled study days, periodic tutorials, and self-guided learning modules released throughout the semester. These components are designed to support flexible, accessible postgraduate study.

Study days will be recorded where possible to support students who cannot attend live.

Students will also have access to periodic drop-in sessions for additional academic and assessment support.

Assessment Dates

809 – Advanced Pharmacology (Online) 

This paper promotes the advancement of ethically robust and socio-culturally aligned pharmacological knowledge to health professionals engaged with health consumers in a variety of clinical environments. 

2026 Study Day Schedule 

  • Thursday 22 October 2026 
  • Thursday 5 November 2026 
  • Thursday 19 November 2026

813 – Clinical Mentoring and Preceptorship (Onsite/Online)

This paper enables New Zealand registered health professionals to critically examine and evaluate the theories of teaching and learning and critique their application in relation to their clinical practice.

  • Wednesday 28th October (Online)

2027

Note: The two papers offered by HyFlex delivery in 2027 are HS 820 and HS 818.


Orientation - Semester 1 and Semester 2

Orientation information for postgraduate study will be provided online via Blackboard. Students are encouraged to access this material to support their transition into postgraduate learning.

 


Semester 1 – 2027 PG

Closing date for applications: TBC

801 Advanced Assessment (Onsite/Online)* is now full for 2027. We are currently accepting waitlist registrations only. 

This paper enables New Zealand registered health professionals to develop, conduct and critically reflect on health assessment and diagnostic reasoning in the clinical setting.

  • 18th February (on-site) (Thursday)
  • 3rd March (on-site) (Wednesday)
  • 17th March (on-site) (Wednesday)
  • 1st April (online) (Thursday)
  • 14th April (on-site) (Wednesday)
  • 28th April (on-site) (Wednesday)
  • 1st June (on-site assessments) (Tuesday)
  • 2nd June (on-site assessments) (Wednesday)


802 Advanced Pathophysiology (Online) 

This paper explores the pathophysiological basis of complex disease processes in long-term and common conditions. This paper assumes existing knowledge of normal anatomy and physiology and engenders critical understanding of altered, complex health state

Dates TBC

820 - Health Management (Online) 

This paper provides an opportunity for NZ registered health professionals to acquire knowledge and skills applied by managers and leaders in health services to ensure the achievement of improved patient outcomes.

Dates TBC

Semester 2 - 2027

815 - Emergency Care
July 21st and 22nd 
August 18th and 19th
September 15th and 16th 
October 20th and 21st (OSCE and Presentation day) 

818 – Pain, Pain Assessment and Pain Management for Health Professional (Online)

This paper provides New Zealand–registered health professionals with advanced knowledge of acute, subacute, and chronic pain, including comprehensive pain assessment and a range of therapeutic management approaches relevant to New Zealand’s healthcare setting.

Dates TBC

809 – Advanced Pharmacology (Online) 

This paper promotes the advancement of ethically robust and socio-culturally aligned pharmacological knowledge to health professionals engaged with health consumers in a variety of clinical environments. 

Dates TBC

823 - Health in Aotearoa

This paper allows students to explore the implications of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi for healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as cultural and socioeconomics influences on the health of Aotearoa New Zealand population.

Dates TBC


Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programmes will already be a New Zealand registered health professional.

After graduation (and further work experience in some cases), possible jobs in the private and public sectors include management roles, educators in tertiary education and clinical settings as well as advancing health professional practice in primary secondary and tertiary health settings

Application Criteria

Application by Academic Qualification

An undergraduate degree in a health profession discipline and with New Zealand registration in their health care discipline. It is expected that applicants will be in current clinical practice. 0.4 full time equivalent positions is the expected minimum. However, applicants who are unable to meet this will be assessed by the postgraduate programme manager to ensure they have appropriate clinical placements. Where an applicant does not hold an undergraduate degree in a health professional discipline, evidence of extensive professional practice and scholarly achievement to the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree is to be presented in a curriculum vitae accompanied by a statement about advanced practice and postgraduate goals for the future.

Additional Criteria

A minimum of one-year full time post registration experience and so thus one year in practice at the discretion of the programme manager is required.

All applicants must be New Zealand Registered Health Professionals.

Qualification Pathways

A student who has completed the Postgraduate Certificate may proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma in the Art and Science of Health Care programme with credit for those papers already completed.

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