Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) in Public 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 major in Public Health is to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in science and health, experience in critical appraisal and scientific investigation, an understanding of values and ethics in health. Graduates will have the ability to apply these to improving health and well-being through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery and evaluation.

The major in Public Health aims to:

• provide a strong foundation in health sciences, with detailed knowledge in public health
• equip students to meet the Aotearoa New Zealand competencies for public health, and health promotion (endorsed by the Health Promotion forum)
• provide the knowledge and skills to operate effectively in health sector organisations (such as district health boards, primary care organisations, public health units, Maori health organisations, and non-governmental organisations)
• contribute to the health sector workforce by preparing students to work as effective members of multidisciplinary teams in the health sector
• contribute to meeting national health workforce development goals
• provide the required foundation for students who wish to undertake postgraduate study in health-related fields.

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

Students with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health will be able to work effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams in the health sector. Examples of career pathways include community development roles in public health units, district health boards, non-governmental organisations, local government, health promoters, public health analysts, and a research career in public health.

Graduates might also go on to postgraduate study to further their specialisation in the field.