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University of Otago
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Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH)

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma

Duration

1 year

Next start date

Expected Jul 2024

Campus

Christchurch Campus

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH) is a broad-based qualification which is highly sought after by a range of employers. It is relevant and practical, with graduates being able to identify and understand public health issues, and depending on which optional papers are taken, gain the skills to analyse and use health data, design appropriate health promotion strategies, plan and evaluate public health interventions, work collaboratively with professionals and the community, appreciate resource allocation and cost issues in health and uphold ethical standards.

The DPH consists of four core papers, with a further four papers chosen from the schedule enabling the qualification to cover a broad range of public health topics. We expect that the majority of students will complete an unendorsed DPH, however there are three endorsed options for those with specific interest areas in epidemiology, health promotion, or social research methods.

For those who are planning to go on to a Master of Public Health (MPH), a research paper relevant to the intended methodological approach needs to be included as one of the optional four papers. This is in addition to the core epidemiology paper, PUBH 711 Principles of Epidemiology.

The DPH can be used as a stand-alone qualification, but equally you can use the papers from the Diploma to progress to the Master of Public Health (MPH). Note candidates for the MPH must have attained a good B average (73%) overall in their DPH.

Schedule of Endorsed Options

Unendorsed Option PUBH 711, PUBH 712, PUBH 713, PUBH 714 and four further PUBH papers to the value of 60 points.

Endorsed Options

Epidemiology PUBH 711, PUBH 712, PUBH 713, PUBH 714; three of PUBH 721, PUBH 725, PUBH 726, PUBH 732, and one further PUBH paper to the value of 15 points.

Health Promotion PUBH 711, PUBH 712, PUBH 713, PUBH 714, PUBH 743, PUBH 744, and two further PUBH papers to the value of 30 points.

Social Research Methods PUBH 711, PUBH 712, PUBH 713, PUBH 714, PUBH 723, PUBH 724; one of PUBH 725, PUBH 736, PUBH 743 and one further PUBH paper to the value of 15 points.

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

Every applicant shall be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study.

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) - Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0.
  • TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21.
  • C1 Advanced (previously Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) & (previously Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169).
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.
  • Language Cert - International ESOL: C1 Expert (LRWS) with a high pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill OR C2 Mastery (LRWS) with a pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill.
  • NZCEL - NZCEL 5 Academic endorsement
  • English New Zealand's Accredited Pathway Assessment - Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
  • APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher.

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