Society and Policy
Qualifications
Overview
The Society and Policy minor focuses on the relationships between health science, health governance, bioethics, and society. It comprises an interdisciplinary core of courses on the sociology of health, public policy, policy issues in health, and health delivery at the local, national, and global levels, together with research training in qualitative and quantitative social science research methods.
Graduates of the Society and Policy minor have an in-depth knowledge of social issues relating to health, bioethics, and the development and evaluation of public policies, particularly policies with implications for health.
Society and Policy students possess core knowledge and skills relevant to health employment and sector-defined competencies. This includes some of the Aotearoa generic public health competencies (Kāhui Hauora Tūmatanui | Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) 2007), and some of the Aotearoa health promotion competencies (Runanga Whakapiki Ake i te Hauora o Aotearoa | Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand 2012), including bioethics competencies that are specific to this minor.
Society and Policy minor
For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:
- Choose 75 points from the course list, with at least 45 points above 100-level
This minor prepares students for positions in policy analysis, social science research, and the development of public policy. It also prepares them for further research in humanities and the social sciences.
Students are well prepared for postgraduate study in Health Sciences, and may be eligible to enrol in the Master of Policy and Governance.
Society and Policy graduates who do not wish to complete a postgraduate degree may pursue careers in health administration, public policy, health policy, and other non-clinical roles within the broad health sector. This minor also provides a foundation for graduate clinical degrees.
Examples of career pathways include:
- careers in health-related institutions and agencies
- community development roles in public health units, district health boards, Māori and iwi health/development organisations, NGOs, and local government agencies
- health policy analysts
- postgraduate studies towards a research career in health
- social and health researchers.
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 Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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