Our courses
Praxis offers two NZQA-accredited qualifications in youth development
The Praxis Journey
The Praxis Course is offered around the Motu:
Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)
Whanganui
Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Online / regional (Blended delivery)
Contact: neo@praxis.org.nz for more info
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 organisation that has a youth focus (an agency) for 2-3 days per week throughout the year. This could be a school, church, or community organisation willing to provide oversight 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.
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 Work
Level 4, one year full-time, NZ Certificate in Health & Wellbeing, Whānau, Community and Social services strand
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.
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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
Praxis Diploma in Youth Work
Level 6, two years full-time, NZ Diploma in Youth Work
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 undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Note: The Level 6 Diploma has a current programme expiry date of the end of 2027. The new Diploma is currently in the process of being approved.
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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
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Professional Practice 2
Group Work
Health & Safety
Sociology of Youth
Law & Ethics
Te Haerenga
Youth and Liminality
Peace Making
Leadership & Management
Well-Being
Project Evaluation
Integrated Practice
Accreditation
Praxis is a Private Training Establishment (PTE) with charitable purposes; the New Zealand Qualifications Authority has granted it registration under Part 18 of the Education Act (1989).
NZQA has given Praxis an external Quality Assurance of Provider Category 2. Following a review by NZQA in 2023:
NZQA is highly confident in the educational performance of Praxis
NZQA is confident in the capability in self-assessment of Praxis
A full review report is available on the NZQA website, search: Youth Cultures and Community Trust.
FAQs
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2025 Course Fees
Certificate - $6855
Diploma Year 1 - $6861
Diploma Year 2 - $6346The Government announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
The Fees Free framework is currently under review with the Tertiary Education Commission. We expect to announce the outcome in mid-August, at which point we will update our website with the 2026 course fees. Students are eligible to apply for a student loan, allowances, and course-related costs at studylink.govt.nz.
The following costs are covered through your enrolment: tuition fees, workbooks and required texts, plus food and accommodation at block courses.
The following costs are not covered: Travel to block courses - the first block is held in Wellington, and the remainder is spread between Auckland, Christchurch, and the central North Island. Regional students will need good technology to access our online program.
You can claim up to $1,000 from Study Link each year towards these costs. For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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The Vulnerable Children’s Act (2014) requires us to check your police record as part of the course application/approval process.
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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.
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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.
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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 at 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; counselling, teaching, leadership in churches, outdoors leadership, management roles and overseas aid/development.
