Our Courses

Praxis offers two NZQA accredited qualifications in youth development. Full time courses offered by Praxis are approved for student loans and allowance funding.

The Praxis journey begins with an orientation day in February and will run through to mid-November. Each course is taught through a series of four residential block courses, plus a series of weekly class days between blocks. Each block course runs over one week and is normally held at a campsite or on a marae. Attendance at all block courses and class days is a course requirement. Each course includes a practical placement with an organization that has a youth focus (an agency) for 2-3 days per week throughout the year.

Classes are not held during the school holidays; however students are generally expected to continue with their practical youth work (through their agency placement) over these times.

 
 
 

Praxis Certificate in Youth Development

(Level 4, one year full time)

This programme provides an entry qualification in youth work – it is ideal for a person who wants a year of personal growth and learning. The Certificate is a great way to get equipped for working alongside young people in your community.

Completion of the programme leads to the award of the (NZQA) New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services), Level 4 with a strand in Community Facilitation.

NZ Diploma in Youth Work

(Level 6, two years full time)

A graduate of the Diploma is able to design and lead programmes with young people using therapeutic and positive youth development approaches. This programme is for you if you plan to pursue a career in youth work and are confident in study at a tertiary level. The Diploma will focus on building your practical experience in leadership across diverse cultural contexts, and blend this with preparing you for further study at under and post graduate levels.

 FAQ

  • If this is the first time you are studying post secondary school, the first year of study will be free under the Study Link Fees Free framework. If you have already completed some tertiary study there will be course fees.

    Certificate - $4996
    Diploma Year 1 - $5165
    Diploma Year 2 - $4774

  • The minimum age for entry into a Praxis course is 18.

    It is recommended that you are at least 20 when starting the second year of the Level 6 Diploma.

    A note around RPL: If a student wants to enter the Year 2 program through the RPL process, the student will need to complete an RPL plan. Completion of this plan does not confirm a place on the Year 2 program. All applications are received on their merit, and assessed for suitability (age, academic ability and the relationship Praxis has with the intended agency).

  • The majority of our teaching is done in person. You will need access to a device, we recommend a laptop or a tablet.

    You will also need access to the internet. Your agency and/or Studylink (course related costs) will be able to help you with this.

  • The Praxis courses require each student to be based in an Agency - a school, church or community organisation that is willing to provide supervision and support as you develop your practice with young people in your community.

    We can help with suggestions, but this arrangement is your responsibility and must be set up as part of your enrolment process.

  • The Vulnerable Children’s Act (2014) requires us to check your police record as part of the course application/approval process.

  • Yes. You will be required to attend a class day (cluster day) once a week and four block courses a year. You will need to have an agency placement alongside your study, which is between 16-20 hours per week.

  • – To operate safely and ethically as a youth worker.

    – To connect and walk alongside people from different backgrounds to your own.

    – To build confidence in using te reo Māori, awareness of tikanga, and the relevance of Te Tiriti O Waitangi to youth work.

    – To contribute to the development of a young person and respond appropriately in a crisis.

    – To look after yourself as you help others.

    – To facilitate groups and work effectively with people one to one.

    – To understand leadership and work as part of a team.

    – A range of evidence-informed frameworks that inform youth development

    – To explore your own spiritual journey and how to integrate your faith in your work.

    – To develop networks in your own community for meeting the needs of young people.

  • In recent years over 80% of Praxis graduates have found paid work in the youth work sector. This includes roles in community organisations, government services, churches and being part of multi-disciplinary teams in health or education.

    30% have continued in further study with other institutions, and many have been able to use their academic work with Praxis to gain cross credit into courses at undergraduate degree level and above. Many who graduate a Certificate level also find that they have gained in confidence and motivation around academic study.

    It is quite common for a person to begin as a general youth development practitioner and then carry the skills you have learned into more specialised fields. Recent Praxis graduates have moved from youth work into; counseling, teaching, leadership in churches, outdoors leadership, management roles and overseas aid/development.

 
 

Certificate Modules

  • Professional Practice 

  • Positive Youth Dev

  • Safe Practice

  • Group Facilitation

  • Community Profile

  • Leadership 101

  • RAP/Communication Skills

  • Korero Mai

  • Mentoring 

  • Ethical Practice

  • Inclusive Practice

  • Inward Journey

  • Growing Up in Aotearoa / Human Development

  • Te Tiriti

  • Helping Skills 

  • Reflective Practice


Diploma Modules: Year 1

  • Professional Practice 1

  • Intro to Youth Dev

  • Managing Safety

  • Group Fac / ABL

  • Community Connection

  • Intro to Leadership

  • RAP

  • Korero Mai

  • Mentoring 

  • Code of Ethics

  • Inclusive Practice

  • Inward Journey

  • Growing Up in Aotearoa

  • Te Tiriti

  • Helping Skills 

  • Tying it together


Diploma Modules: Year 2

  • Professional Practice 2

  • Group Work

  • Health & Safety

  • Sociology of Youth

  • Law & Ethics

  • Te Hikoi

  • Youth and Liminality

  • Peace Making 

  • Leadership & Management

  • Well-Being 

  • Project Evaluation

  • Integrated Practice