Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) in Maori and Indigenous Health

Summary

The BHSc is a three-year programme that provides a comprehensive overview of health and health care. It is a multidisciplinary qualification and our graduates are using their skills in the health sector and beyond.

Aotearoa New Zealand's health and disability sector is characterised by a diverse workforce made up of many occupations. This diversity is essential to be able to provide the range of services required to meet population health outcomes. Enables graduates to improve health and well-being through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery, and evaluation.

The purpose of the Maori and Indigenous Health major is to prepare culturally competent graduates who are able to use, apply and integrate Maori, bicultural and indigenous knowledge and practices in their chosen health and social services-related careers.

The holistic Maori view of health and well-being is an important component of the major, which includes knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Te Ao Tangata - Engaging with Maori: understanding, respect, te reo, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication/dialogue, and Maori health-based experiences;
• Te Ao Hauora - Working with health professionals: promoting students' understandings of the multiple disciplines and roles involved in delivering health care to Maori, including clinicians (eg, pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists), the cultural/community/clinical interface, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration;
• Nga Ratonga Hauora - Working with health services and health systems: providing students with a thorough grounding in socio-historical health developments and current health system structures, including Maori and iwi community-based health and social services.

How do I plan my degree?

The BHSc requires a total of 360 points:

• 135 points of compulsory courses
• at least 90 points of major courses
• the remaining points from Health Sciences or from other degrees.

At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

Career opportunities

Career options for students who major in Maori and Indigenous Health include research and policy analysis or advice, health promotion, and community health liaison roles in non-governmental organisations focused on health and well-being, Maori and iwi health and development organisations, District Health Boards, and local government.

Students interested in progressing to postgraduate study will be well prepared as a result of this major, particularly in relation to Maori and Indigenous Studies, and/or Health.