Public Health
Qualifications
Overview
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, and an understanding of values and ethics in health. Graduates will have the ability to apply these to improving health and wellbeing 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, Māori health organisations, and non-governmental organisations)
- contribute to the health sector workforce by preparing students to be effective members of multidisciplinary teams
- contribute to meeting national health workforce development goals
- provide the required foundation for students who wish to undertake postgraduate study in health-related fields.
- UC is ranked first in Aotearoa New Zealand for research in Public Health (Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission 2018 PBRF assessment).
UC offers a major in Public Health as part of the Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Public Health major
To complete a major in Public Health within the Bachelor of Health Sciences, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
Plus another three 100-level courses from Health Sciences or other degrees.
200-level
Plus one course at 100-level (or above), and two 15-point courses at 200-level from Health Sciences or other degrees.
300-level
Plus either:
Or both:
Plus another two 15-point courses at 200-level (or above) and one 15-point course at 300-level from Health Sciences or other degrees.
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.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Health Sciences.
Contact us
Te Kura Mātai Hauora | School of Health Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 3333
Email education@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 3, Rehua building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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