Level 5

Study public health and health promotion

Passionate about community health and keen to promote health equity? If you are interested in working with organisations that enable individuals, groups and whole communities to reach their health potential, then this programme is for you.
Overview

Programme highlights

Are you passionate about community health and keen to promote health equity?

If you are interested in working with organisations that enable individuals, groups and whole communities to reach their health potential, then this programme is for you.

This qualification builds practical skills in designing public health initiatives. Learn how to create campaigns to help stop the spread of diseases and how to evaluate whether they've worked. You'll also learn how to find solutions to the health inequalities facing Māori, Pasifika and other population groups.

Learning will be through a mixture of online learning resources, workshops and workplace experience, allowing flexibility for part-time study while still working.

You’ll be supported to succeed throughout your health journey. At the Manukau campus, you will have access to Kaiawhina, a Pasifika support person, a Whānau and a Mā Tātou room.


Māori and Pasifika pathways

If you are of Māori or Pasifika descent then you also have access to Te Ara Oranga while studying this programme.

Te Ara Oranga will support you to succeed in a way that suits your needs and you will get connected with industry, opening doors to your health career pathway.

There are also several scholarships available to Māori and Pasifika studying towards a health qualification. Register with Kia Ora Hauora and get access to their comprehensive scholarship database.

Learn more


IT requirements

To complete this qualification you will need to have access to a computer and the internet to retrieve course materials, undertake assessments and to participate in course online activities.


Please note: Although the Government vaccine mandate for health and disability workers ended on 11:59pm 26 September 2022, some employers can still require workers to be vaccinated due to their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Placement is a compulsory component of MIT’s healthcare programmes. To go on placement in this sector, students will need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to MIT. Students that hold a medical exemption that prevents them from being vaccinated are permitted to work in the healthcare sector, but will have limited placement opportunities in that sector. Students that are not vaccinated, or that do not wish to share their vaccination status with MIT, may not be able to go on placement in the healthcare sector. If you hold a medical exemption, or if you are unable or unwilling to provide proof of vaccination to MIT, your placement opportunities will accordingly be limited and MIT cannot guarantee availability with placement providers.  If this applies to you, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your options.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the programme:

Entry for adult learners is open, subject to the learner meeting minimum literacy and numeracy requirements, sufficient to enable them to successfully complete the programme of study and/or training such as a level 4 qualification;

OR

Learners who have left secondary school within two years of enrolling in a programme that leads to the award of this qualification, are required to have achieved a minimum of 40 credits at NCEA level 3, or equivalent.

Applicants are required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for the programme. During the interview the applicant will be assessed against the requirements of the Faculty’s policy for students accessing placements in the health context in terms of their suitability for placement in the public health sector, working with vulnerable populations including children and their motivation and suitability for future work in the public health context.

English language entry requirements

Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. This will be demonstrated by meeting the current NZQA requirements.

International students: English language entry requirements

For the minimum English language requirements refer to the requirements set out in the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/

Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an-overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.0 (with no score below 6.0) or equivalent achieved within the preceding 2 years.

Applicants of this programme will need to undergo police vetting and safety review process to meet the requirements of the Vulnerable Children’s Act.  Immune status requirements as per industry needs.

Provisional entry

Students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme or training scheme may be eligible to be enrolled. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School. Students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements may also be eligible to be enrolled in exceptional circumstances where they can demonstrate capability for study at the required level. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School.

Programme structure

Programme structure

You will need to complete the below six courses (60 credits):

721.503 Health in the context of Aotearoa (10 credits)

You will analyse health inequities in New Zealand based on an understanding of the determinants of health in New Zealand.

721.504 Public health (10 credits)

You will identify opportunities to promote and protect public health based on an understanding of the influence of public health policy, public health advocacy and the scope of public health disciplines and functions.

721.505 Health promotion (15 credits)

In this course you will design, implement, and evaluate health promotion initiatives, underpinned by the Treaty of Waitangi and public health/health promotion frameworks and strategies.

721.506 Building relationships (10 credits)

In this course you will build and maintain relationships with Māori, Pacific, and/or other peoples who are least advantaged in New Zealand, using culturally appropriate values, processes and protocols in order to improve their health and to address inequities.

721.507 Evidence-based practice (5 credits)

You will use available research findings and evaluation evidence to improve own public health practice.

731.501 Hauroa Māori (10 credits)

In this course you will relate knowledge of the history of Māori as tangata whenua and client-whānau interconnectedness to their own culturally competent practice.

Careers and pathways

Career opportunities

A broad range of career options as a public health practitioner including:

  • Policy and project developer
  • Community support worker
  • New migrant and refugee support
  • Health promotion in schools and the community
  • Alcohol and addiction support
  • Family violence support.

For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Your work experience or previous tertiary study may count towards achieving your qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at MIT is designed for those who already have on-the-job skills and knowledge, but want to take their career to the next level with a qualification.

With RPL we can measure and match your existing skills against credits in our courses – creating a tailored path of study that will not only save you money but also help you to complete your qualification faster. Learn more.

Free study for the first year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the government’s fees-free study scheme. Visit feesfree.govt.nz for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must be eligible to study as a domestic student. All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact StudyLink for more information.

Information is correct as at 14 February 2023. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2023 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2023 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2023 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2023 are based on the 2022 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2023. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pukenga is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.