Study the Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health, and prepare yourself for a career where you can really make a difference.
Considerable change in our society means we need to have flexible, intersectoral and problem-solving approaches to a wide range of health issues and contexts as we move further into the digital age.
Our Public and Environmental Health major is committed to human rights, health equity and social justice, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te whare tapa whā – the four cornerstones of physical, spiritual, mental, and family environments, and to the Sustainable Development Goals, which advocate for intersectoral, holistic actions to enhance human and planetary health.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Health Science.
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The skills you’ll develop include team collaboration, engaging with communities, using digital communications and media, data analysis and visualisation, codesign, advocacy, evaluation and leadership.
These skills will enable you to assist with developing or implementing and evaluating public and environmental health programmes. This includes mental health, violence-free, youth and community development, healthy eating and fitness, industry and lifestyle wellness, environmental sustainability, road safety and injury prevention and tobacco control, alcohol, gambling and evaluation.
In the first semester all students study the same four courses (HEAL504, HEAL505, HEAL506 and HEAL507) to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students. You can study these four courses at the North Campus, South Campus or online.
Instead of the course HEAL507 Health and Environment you can also study MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment, but do note that this is an on-campus course at the North or South Campus, and you’ll have to attend your classes in person.
We recommend that you include a minor as part of your degree. You can choose from a range of minors across AUT - from education, business and health promotion, to history, New Zealand Sign Language and human resource management. Your minor will be listed on your academic transcript when you graduate. Alternatively, we can help you choose individual elective courses.
You can study the courses HEAL504, HEAL505, HEAL506 and HEAL507 at the North Campus, South Campus or online. Instead of the course HEAL507 Health and Environment you can also study MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment, but do note that this is an on-campus course at the City Campus and you’ll have to attend your classes in person.
We recommend that you include a minor as part of your degree. You can choose from a range of minors across AUT - from education, business and health promotion, to history, New Zealand Sign Language and human resource management. Your minor will be listed on your academic transcript when you graduate. Alternatively, we can help you choose individual elective courses.
At the heart of your final year is the Health Practice Cooperative course, 150 hours of workplace experience in organisations involved in public and environmental health. Recent placements included:
You may also be able to work on one of several research, teaching and innovation projects.
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
Our graduates work in the public and private sectors; they are self-employed, advising and designing for sustainability, urban development, equity programmes, Māori and Pacific health.
They are team leaders, project designers and analysts, and increasingly they will work in the digital space, helping to create eHealth apps, serious games, and play a crucial role in social innovation and enterprise initiatives.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.