The effectiveness of any quality management system is a function of the product or service flow. Variations and defects obstruct the flow and result in delays and rework, as well as dissatisfaction for customers. The alignment of processes, methodology, and quality tools are needed in order to achieve maximisation of product and service delivery. The DipQA covers the pathway to achieving effectiveness.
The first year of the DipQA consists of six papers that cover a wide range of quality and risk management topics. These papers are designed to guide and consolidate your knowledge in the field of quality management. Throughout Year 1, students will complete a total of twelve assignments.
This comprehensive programme covers the principles and practices of quality management and quality systems and explores the tools and techniques used in developing, implementing, and improving quality approaches within organisations. It will prepare you for a career in specialist quality roles (supervisory and management positions) or areas like auditing, evaluation, and implementation of organisational systems and quality improvement.
The second year of the DipQA builds on and enhances the learning undertaken in Year 1 and incorporates the completion of significant practical quality and risk management activities based in the workplace of the student—a win-win outcome for both students and their organisations.
The papers are designed to include demonstration and implementation of strong project management skills in undertaking the detailed quality and risk management projects which the student selects, based on the needs of their workplace.
The course programme offers comprehensive understanding and practical experience across various aspects of quality management and improvement.
This comprehensive coverage ensures that students develop a holistic understanding of quality management principles and practices—equipping them with the knowledge and skills to drive continual improvement and excellence within their organisations.
Students who have previously completed the Certificate in Quality Assurance (CQA) will be awarded Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and may enter the DipQA at Year 2—a significant incentive to maximise and enhance your quality learning and qualifications.
Students entering the DipQA at Year 2 will be required to undertake a Bridging Course (DipQA601) if their CQA qualification was awarded prior to 2009. Recent graduates will progress directly to DipQA602 and DipQA603.
The programme contains the knowledge and skills for professional registration as a Certified Quality Practitioner. Additionally, once students have completed all six Year 1 papers, they may also be eligible for Exemplar Global QM certification.
This format provides the flexibility to pursue a significant qualification that not only supports your current role but also enhances your career prospects.
I am passionate about continuous improvement, both personally and professionally. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to enhance my knowledge. I completed my Certificate of Quality Assurance and then it took me four months to decide if I wanted to carry on with the Diploma. I decided to proceed as I realised that this next step would enhance my learning by bringing together all the aspects I learnt in the first year through practical application, the bonus being that completion of the course will also provide me with a recognised qualification which will assist me in advancing my career.
The biggest impact that I experienced was the follow-on effect of my internal audit project. The outcomes of the project not only benefited the site where I undertook the audit, but a similar audit was then undertaken at two other sites in the Northern Region and, as a result, improvements are being made nationally.
I need to keep myself updated in the current trends in QA and therefore I decided to enrol in this course. I had already completed the Certificate in Quality Assurance (CQA) in 2005 and so it seemed like the next stage of my professional development.
I will recommend this programme to all quality and risk management professionals. This course was beneficial to me. Course guides were always there to help me. A course like this is beneficial to any quality professional in their career in an existing organisation or to someone who is thinking of changing their current job.
I now have a greater knowledge and understanding of the industry I am employed in. I have gained investigative and networking tools and have competence and confidence in designing and implementing a full audit process.
Year 2 showed me a process for combining both quality and training disciplines to create value in an organisation. I now have experience and confidence analysing processes both before and after an intervention more currency of skills and attitudes. Combined, these papers helped me gain confidence in designing, managing and conducting audits from start to finish.
I selected the NZOQ DipQA programme as the practical content appealed to me, and an organisation devoted to quality seemed the most obvious choice. The first year gives a great foundation in quality assurance. For Year 2, being able to apply concepts to practical situations was most interesting.