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Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW)

Want to make a real difference on the frontlines with young people? The Certificate in Community Youth Work prepares you to walk alongside taiohi in a wide range of settings — with confidence, skill, and purpose. Grounded in Te Tiriti and Christian theology, you’ll develop practical skills, ethical practice, and a relational approach that’s truly bicultural and transformative. Whether you’re jumping straight into youth work or building towards further study, this programme equips you for both.
  • Qualification Level
  • Total Credits
  • Completion Time
  • Study Location
  • Level 5 NZQA
  • 120
  • 1 year full-time
  • Distance Learning
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Arts & Professional Studies, Bible & Theology

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The Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW) equips and empowers youth workers to walk alongside young people in a wide range of settings. Grounded in a Te Tiriti-led framework, the programme integrates ethical youth work practice, personal formation, and Christian theology. Designed to deepen both practical skills and theoretical understanding, this programme prepares students for immediate frontline youth work or as a pathway to further study. Learners will engage with youth development approaches that are bicultural, relational, and reflective – supporting safe, transformative practice with taiohi from diverse backgrounds.

  • Programme Title
  • Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW)
  • Post-nominal Letters
  • CertCYW
  • School
  • Arts & Professional Studies, Bible & Theology
  • Specialisation Options
  • Total Credits
  • 120
  • Programme Requirements

  • The CertCYW is a 120-credit programme delivered over one year full-time, with part-time pathways available. It is made up of four 15-credit theory courses and two 30-credit practicum courses. Students complete 300 hours of practicum.
  • Study Commitment
  • Full-time (1 year)
  • Location Pin Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com Study Location
  • Distance Learning
  • Delivery
  • Block Courses · Weekly Lectures · Noho Marae · Placement
  • Start Dates
  • February
  • Maximum Timeframe
  • Up to 4 years part-time unless extension granted by Academic Head
  • Practicum Hours
  • 300 hours
  • Formation Requirements
  • Noho Marae
  • Indicative Domestic Student Tuition Fees*

(Average full-time programme for one year = 120 credits)

  • Indicative International Student Tuition Fees**

(Average full-time programme for one year = 120 credits)

  • Programme Title
  • Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW)
  • Career Opportunities
  • Community youth worker
    church or faith-based youth worker
    youth support or engagement roles in community organisations
  • Entry Requirements
  • General Admission Requirements
    English Language Requirements
    Police Clearance
    Selection Interview
    Practicum Commitment - confirmed placement and signed contract
  • Distinctives
  • Christian theology, ethical youth work practice, bicultural formation, extensive practicum

Programme Requirements

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY BIBLICAL STUDIES
(100S)		 CHRISTIAN THOUGHT & HISTORY (200-300S) PASTORAL, MISSIONAL & CONTEXTUAL STUDIES (400-600S)
Minimum credits for degree 90 75 90
A total minimum of 360 credits
A total minimum of 180 credits at level 6 or above
A total minimum of 75 credits at level 7
Level 5 115.515 Reading the Bible

120.515 Reading the Old Testment

140.515 Reading the New Testment 		201.515 Engaging Theory

308.515 Christian History: Our Story 		401.515 Formation

505.515 Christian Leadership and Mission

907.515 Bicultural Relationships: Tikanga Kawabata
Level 6 & 7 111.715 Interpreting the Bible

At least 1 OT and 1 NT exegesis paper 		202.6/715 Christology

219.6/715 Nākau Maia: Christian Confidence 		480.6/715 Faithful Living: Intro to Reflective Practice

590.715 Capstone: Integrative Practice
  • I truly believe it’s the pre-eminent theological institution in New Zealand.

It’s the breadth of study, of knowledge, the way the staff require you to think. They don’t spoon feed you. They want you to think critically, thoughtfully, prayerfully. You’re given options and required to construct a frame for yourself.”

Kyla Scrimgeour | Theology Graduate

Additional Information

General and other Specialisations

Students must attend block courses for practicum courses onsite in Auckland or Christchurch. Students must complete a noho marae.

Semester 1
Semester 2
On completion of the Bachelor of Theology Laidlaw College graduates will:
  • Apply knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Mana Taihohi, Code of Ethics for Youth Work, brain development and human development frameworks and legislative requirements to support taiohi from diverse groups.
    Oversee a focused aspect of a youth work project and apply evaluation tools to develop a qualitative report.
    Engage in professional development to analyse and evaluate own culture, values, attitudes, beliefs and self-care practices to strengthen youth work practice.
    Engage with a diverse range of community partners, including tangata whenua, to meet the objectives of a youth work organisation.
    Analyse the impacts of the digital, social, and systematic worlds of taiohi, including the impacts of colonisation, to support youth hauora.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sed Leo erat, sodales sed mattis in, pulvinar vitae Leo. Sed sollicitudin sapien et aliquam varius. Vivamus mattiscidunt sapien. Proin quis lectus ligula. Fusce euismod pretiumtus. Pellentesque rutrum, dui ut rutrum ullamcorper, eros velit.

Sed Leo erat, sodales sed mattis in, pulvinar vitae Leo. Sed sollicitudin sapien et aliquam varius. Vivamus mattiscidunt sapien. Proin quis lectus ligula. Fusce euismod pretiumtus. Pellentesque rutrum, dui ut rutrum ullamcorper, eros velit.

Sed Leo erat, sodales sed mattis in, pulvinar vitae Leo. Sed sollicitudin sapien et aliquam varius. Vivamus mattiscidunt sapien. Proin quis lectus ligula. Fusce euismod pretiumtus. Pellentesque rutrum, dui ut rutrum ullamcorper, eros velit.