Occupational Health and Safety – Master of Health Science

Occupational health and safety has become an integral part of business. Help improve the health and wellbeing of workers in New Zealand through Massey’s Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety).

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students

Specialise in Occupational Health and Safety for your Master of Health Science at Massey

The Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) is a 180 credit master’s qualification.

It offers a professional pathway or a research pathway option for health and safety practitioners seeking advanced studies in creating healthy workplaces.

A Master of Health Science in Occupational Health and Safety is a good fit if you:

  • want to create healthy workplaces
  • want to prevent injuries and ill health at work
  • want to improve the health and wellbeing of workers.

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

The Master of Health Science is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second etc.

The Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) offers a research pathway.

Progression from Part One to Part Two, you must achieve a minimum B grade in the Part One Core course, one of 168711 Health Research Design and Method or 179702 Advanced Research Methods.

 

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

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 qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Credit summary

180 credits

Research Pathway

  • Part One compulsory course – 30 credits
  • Part One subject courses – 30-60 credits
  • Part Two research courses – 90-120 credits

A specialisation (subject) is compulsory.

Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements and have been granted credit for it, may be able to complete this degree in 60 - 120 credits.

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Master of Health Science

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Master of Health Science core courses

Occupational Health and Safety courses

Compulsory course

Course code: 251731 Advanced Occupational Health and Safety 30 credits

An examination of current issues in Occupational Safety and Health and issues commonly found in the work environment.

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Subject courses

Choose no more than 60 credits from
Course code: 251770 Health and Safety Auditing 30 credits

A comprehensive examination and critical analysis of current theories and practice in relation to auditing and assessing organisational health and safety performance.

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Course code: 251772 Advanced Occupational Hygiene 30 credits

An advanced course studying the current issues in occupational safety and health, which involves the recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards in the work environment, including the study of noise, ventilation systems and air pollution.

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Course code: 252702 Sleep, Fatigue Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety 30 credits

The application of sleep and circadian science in fatigue risk management, shift work, and occupational health and safety. An overview of the organisational processes required to implement a fatigue risk management system, as well as regulatory requirements for management of fatigue and shift work in occupational health and safety.

Restrictions: 252701

View full course details

Part Two

Choose between 60 and 120 credits from
Course code: 250810 Thesis 90 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 250811 Thesis 90 Credits Part I 45 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 250812 Thesis 90 Credits Part II 45 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 250811

View full course details
Course code: 250813 Thesis 120 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 250814 Thesis 120 Credits Part I 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

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Course code: 250815 Thesis 120 Credits Part II 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 250814

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Course code: 250817 Research Report 60 credits

Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a report of the research for examination.

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Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • a relevant health-related bachelor’s degree with a minimum B- grade average over the 200/300 level courses, or
  • a relevant health-related bachelor’s degree and extensive professional experience, or
  • a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant health-related discipline, or
  • a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) degree.

If you have a postgraduate diploma in a relevant health-related discipline or a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) from Massey University as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

This programme is suited to registered health professionals.

You must provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

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.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

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 can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Career options once you have graduated include:

  • health and safety managers
  • WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC employees
  • occupational health and safety consultants
  • occupational health nurses
  • environmental health, air pollution and noise control specialists
  • occupational hygienists
  • human resource managers and advisors.

Related study options