The Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health (DCH) comprises two papers, CHHE 701 and CHHE 702. It is recommended that students enrol for CHHE 701 immediately before or after completing CHHE 702.
CHHE 701 is also available, on its own, to a wider range of postgraduate students from medical training programmes (e.g. the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP), or the Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) degree), as well as non-medical postgraduate students from health professions such as nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
CHHE 702 can also be taken as a stand-alone paper for a Certificate of Proficiency (COP), an attractive option for medical staff going into fields such as emergency medicine and anaesthesia.
CHHE 701 and CHHE 702 are normally to be taken in consecutive semesters, and cannot be taken concurrently.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health (DCH) is also available through Distance Learning.
If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.
Programme details
Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health (DCH)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall be registered for medical practice in New Zealand.
Structure of the Programme
The programme of study for the diploma shall consist of two papers, CHHE 701 (see Note) and CHHE 702, which are normally to be taken in consecutive semesters and cannot be taken concurrently.
In order to complete the requirements for CHHE 702, the candidate must concurrently hold, for a minimum of 26 weeks, a hospital position in medical paediatrics approved for this purpose.
Duration of the Programme
The programme requirements shall normally be completed within two years of admission to the programme.
Examinations
Candidates shall be assessed by written and clinical examinations. An oral examination may also be required.
Level of Award of the Diploma
The diploma may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: Paper CHHE 701 is taught through the Distance Learning Programme. As well as being a compulsory paper for DCH, it may be taken by other approved health professionals; it is not restricted to medical graduates.
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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