The University of Otago currently provides the only postgraduate neuropsychology training programme in New Zealand.

Postgraduate neuropsychology training is required to obtain scope of practice in Neuropsychology with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB). The Postgraduate Diploma in Neuropsychology (PGDipNeuropsych) is designed for psychologists registered with the NZPB who are working within a neuropsychology setting, or a health setting with a neuropsychology component. Prior knowledge of assessment, formulation and intervention, as well as simple brain-behaviour relationships, the application of psychometric tests, and knowledge of basic statistics, is expected.

The PGDipNeuropsych programme is offered on a part time basis over two academic years. The academic teaching comprises online lectures and tutorials, and two three-day in-person block courses in Wellington per year. In addition to the academic training, participants undertake 1500 hours of practice in applied neuropsychology within their workplace, supervised by a board-registered psychologist with scope of practice in Neuropsychology.

The training programme is facilitated by course director Dr Paul Skirrow, a UK-trained clinical and neuropsychologist, and senior professional practice fellows Dr Christine Canty, an Australian trained clinical neuropsychologist, and Dr Alexia Pavlis, an Australian based paediatric clinical neuropsychologist. Between them, these facilitators have extensive experience across a broad range of hospital and community-based settings and across a wide variety of patient groups. A range of experienced neuropsychologists also contribute to the program by way of guest lecturers.

For full details regarding course content and application requirements, please visit Study Neuropsychology at Otago University.