NZ Course Applications for 2011 are open NOW !

The Praxis Course is offered at two levels:
 
A level 4 (1 year) Certificate in Youth Work
A level 6 (2 year) Diploma in Youth and Community Studies

The Certificate in Youth Work:

• Gives a good general introduction to youth and community work for people looking to build their skills and confidence in study at tertiary level.
• Is ideal for a person who wants a year of personal and spiritual growth while getting involved in their community through a church or a community organisation.
• Provides a hands on, practical learning experiences in a team environment.
• Is an NZQA approved 120 credit, year-long course.  
• Covers a range of subjects around personal development, Christian mission and working across cultures. Graduates will have developed their skills in working alongside children and young people and will be ready to work at an assistant level in a youth group, AE centre, a school or a community youth organisation.
• Is essentially the same as what Praxis has offered in the past but at an entry level.

• Is for people wanting to pursue Youth Work as a career and already have a proven educational background.
• Enables you to work with a considerable degree of autonomy and accountability for achieving outcomes as a youth and community work professional.
• Is run over two years and offers over 200 credits at level 5 and 6.
• Incorporates the National Diploma in Youth Work (level 6) as well as some local (praxis specific) standards.
• Is intended to credit directly in the new degree programme in Youth Development (The Praxis team are currently working with the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) on this programme, and hopes for a 2012 start date – watch this space!)

• Incorporates the main elements of both Praxis courses as well as content specific to working with youth in a Maori context.
• Offers the same qualifications, but with slightly different unit standards based on a focus of working in a Maori context, including basic tikanga and Maori spirituality within a Christian context.

•  Include a mix of learning in a classroom setting (at block courses and weekly group work) and practical work with a church or community organisation in your community.
• Are available as a ‘stand alone program’ and as the training component for internships which are offered by various partner groups.

• The first year of the Diploma and the Certificate courses run at the same time.
• Both first year Diploma and Certificate students will attend the same lectures and have the same expectations regarding completion of the course. However each will have different workbooks and will be assessed at the level of the course they have chosen.
• There will be opportunity for students to change the level of the course they are on at certain stages in the year. Changes will need to be made in consultation with the course coordinator.
• If you are unsure which course to choose, contact a local praxis coordinator – we’re always keen to talk through the options and help you find what’s right for you!