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Advance your public health career
If you have a passion for public health and need a formal undergraduate qualification, Massey’s Certificate in Public Health is for you.
If you want to contribute to the health of all New Zealanders, this certificate will give you a critical understanding of public health issues.
You will gain practical skills to develop and implement public health initiatives and health promotion programmes. These include those aiming to improve population health outcomes. And, those who address health inequalities for Māori, Pasifika and other specific population groups.
You will also gain an understanding of public health issues from a Treaty of Waitangi perspective and other key public health agreements.
The Certificate in Public Health is an undergraduate entry-level qualification designed to be completed in two semesters.
You can achieve this certificate if you’re already working in the public health sector, either in primary care or in community health roles. Or, you may be starting university and aspire to a career in public health.
With the Certificate in Public Health you will possess the knowledge and transferable skills to work within a range of health settings.
Roles may include:
You may work within:
You could go on to study the Bachelor of Health Science.
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
There are no specific entry requirements for this programme, outside of university admission regulations.
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
From the Schedule to the Certificate
Compulsory courses
Elective courses from Schedule B
Also attend field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
| 30 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 231106 | Introduction to Public Health | 15 |
| 231108 | Health Intervention Management | 15 |
| At least 30 credits from | ||
|---|---|---|
| 150112 | Hauora Tangata: Foundations of Māori Health | 15 |
| 214102 | Applied Sciences for Health Professionals | 15 |
| 231107 | Social Determinants of Health | 15 |
| 250100 | Health Communication | 15 |
If you study full-time, you’ll take 60 credits per semester.
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
“
The convenience of distance learning and flexibility gave me the opportunity to excel in my career path as an Outreach Community Health Worker. With Massey University, I was able to achieve the desired outcome, the completion of my ‘tohu’ in Public Health and Health Promotion.
” Marlene Whaanga-Dean
“
I chose Massey University to do my studies due to the fact that I could do my course via distance learning, and still work full-time. Juggling mahi and study had its moments but with the support of the tutors and support services, I got through.
” Michelle Martin
We have developed the Certificate in Public Health to build capacity in our public health workforce. The courses are aligned with the Aotearoa NZ health promotion and public health competency standards. Our students engage in real world assessment, reflect on current population health challenges and identify solutions.
Dr Chrissy Severinsen
Programme Director, School of Health Sciences
Massey University is ranked in the top 300 universities in the world and fourth in New Zealand in the subject area of public health by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.