Wellbeing for all
Improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities. Careers include case managers, epidemiologists, health officers and analysts.
Walk into a job
Massey public health graduates have great career prospects both in New Zealand and globally.
In great company
Massey's award-winning lecturers and their world-class research will make sure you have the very best training during your study.
Striving to be Tiriti-led
We work to uphold the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi – and to empower all New Zealanders, especially Māori.
Overview
No one thing can improve the health and wellbeing of a community or demographic group. Many factors come into play. And it's vital to work collaboratively with people, whānau and wider groups.
Learn from lecturers from across the health sciences. Explore new ideas with researchers with expertise in areas such as epidemiology, health literacy or health promotion. Examine contemporary public health challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Hone your advocacy, analytical and communication skills. Graduate work-ready, with skills employers need.
Studying public health is a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as health and social sciences
- want to make long-term improvements to health, and to health, wellbeing or disability services
- like creative problem-solving and collaborating with a wide range of people.
Courses in public health may cover:
- analysing health data and research
- developing meaningful relationships with people you'll support – individuals, whānau and communities
- Māori health
- mental health and addiction
- public health systems and functions – examples include health assessments, health promotion and developing capacity
- rehabilitation
- social factors that impact health and wellbeing, such as education, environment and housing.
What is public health?
Public health – also called population health – focuses on the health of groups of people. Public health examines patterns of health across different populations and take a systems view of all factors affecting health.
It includes:
- healthy environments and living conditions
- partnering with communities
- promoting good health and preventing illnesses
- social justice and equity, including causes of health inequalities
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led practice.
How to study public health
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in public health – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Health Science – BHlthSc
Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science will prepare you to address the big health challenges facing the nation and the world in the 21st century.
Health Promotion – Bachelor of Health Science
Study for a meaningful career with Massey's Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion). Be prepared to address the big health challenges facing the nation and the world in the 21st century.
Health Services Navigation – Bachelor of Health Science
With a Massey Bachelor of Health Science (Health Services Navigation), you’ll get an in-depth knowledge of health and disability services and systems, policy, practice and contexts.
Integrated Human Health – Bachelor of Health Science
Learn about the impact of biological and environmental factors on human health, and how you can make a difference.
Mental Health and Addiction – Bachelor of Health Science
Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) will help you advance your career or take on a leadership role in the mental health and addiction workforce.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Master's degrees
Health – Master of Analytics
Join this unique qualification to become a leading, sought-after analyst and disseminator of critical health-related data.
Medical Laboratory Research – Master of Health Science
The Master of Health Sciences (Medical Laboratory Research) is for medical laboratory scientists looking to expand their knowledge and research capabilities.
Māori Health – Master of Health Science
Elevate the health and wellbeing of iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities with Massey's Master of Health Science (Māori Health).
Master of Health Service Management – MHSM
Through Massey’s internationally recognised, Master of Health Service Management qualification you’ll gain the expertise to advance your career.
Master of Public Health – MPH
The Master of Public Health is a research-focused qualification. You'll conduct your own research under the supervision of experienced public health researchers and engage in professional practice opportunities.
Postgraduate diplomas
Bioscience – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
Connect your bioscience discipline to health with the ultimate goal of investigating how health outcomes for individuals or populations can be improved.
Medical Laboratory Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
This is a professional qualification for medical laboratory technicians interested in career and scientific advancement within the Diagnostic Laboratory, the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), or other health-related areas.
Māori Health – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
This qualification enables you to specialise in Māori knowledge within advanced health studies. Explore the progress made and the potential to further develop the health and wellbeing of Māori communities.
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health – PGDipPH
Get a high-quality, comprehensive education in public health to boost your career while improving the health of New Zealanders.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
Relevant research areas at Massey
Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to public health at Massey.
What our students say
“My degree was a pathway into hauora Māori after a career in animal health and farming. My thesis is about Tāne ora, the wellbeing of Māori men. If strategy, policy and high-level problem solving in health and the social sector is up your ally, the MPH would be a great qualification to consider.”
Ngāti Tūwharetoa
“I recommend studying at Massey University because it allowed me to learn about everything that contributes to health and wellbeing, but also the real world application of this knowledge that allows you to work in the health field.”
“The course-work covers many concepts of public health, from sociology to health systems, political landscapes and their influence on health, right down to designing and running an intervention. Almost everything I learn has applicability in my working role – I am able to learn and practice as I go.”
Healthspace mapping tool
Explore geographic health and population data for New Zealand in the form of interactive maps, graphs and tables. Dig into data at sub-national levels including:
- regional council
- district health board
- territorial authority
- local area ward
- census area unit levels.
Jobs in public health
Careers in public health typically focus on improving health and wellbeing, and reducing inequalities. Our graduates develop skills to promote and protect all aspects of health and wellbeing, including mental, physical, spiritual and family health, and the health of the environment.
Careers can include work in local or national government, in iwi and non-government health organisations. Job prospects are good in New Zealand and overseas.
Public health careers include:
- case managers, who organise rehabilitation or disability care plans
- health or whānau ora navigators, who help people find suitable support or treatment
- community health workers
- epidemiologists, who specialise in the causes or spread of diseases
- health protection officers, who work with district health boards (DHBs)
- medical laboratory scientists
- mental health and addiction practitioners
- policy analysts or advisers
- service designers.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Epidemiologist – $50,000 to $175,000
- Policy analyst – $47,000 to $150,000
- Medical laboratory scientist – $50,000 to $105,000
- Public health officer – $48,000 to $85,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which public health qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Community health worker or programme co-ordinator | Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion) |
| Medical laboratory scientist |
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Medical Laboratory Science) Master of Health Science (Medical Laboratory Research) |
| Mental health and addiction practitioners | Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) |
| Policy analyst or advisor |
Bachelor of Health Science Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) |
| Public health officer | Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health |
| Researcher, epidemiologist or programme designer specialising in public health |
Master of Public Health Master of Analytics (Health) |
Accreditations and rankings
ShanghaiRanking - public health
Massey University is ranked in the top 400 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.
Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Medical Laboratory Science) is accredited by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand.
Get an information guide
Download our guide to find out more about studying public health (also called population health) at Massey.
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