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Specialise in Health Promotion for your Bachelor of Health Science at Massey
Shape a Healthier Tomorrow
Massey's Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion) will give you the skills to help people improve their health. The degree highlights how addressing contemporary health challenges requires attention to a wide range of factors including structural inequalities, environmental factors, government policy and community settings.
You’ll learn strategies for dealing with complex issues such as poverty, addiction and inadequate housing. These issues impact health on personal, community and population levels. You'll apply an array of interventions for better health outcomes.
This knowledge is vital across many environments, including schools, workplaces and communities as a whole, It covers a spectrum of health concerns from chronic diseases and mental health to substance abuse and the prevention of infectious diseases.
You'll explore diverse perspectives on health, learn to navigate the complexities of the health system, and understand the political influences on public health.
Get the skills employers need
The significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion in guiding health promotion strategies is a major focus, enhancing your learning experience and equipping you to contribute to public health efforts both nationally and internationally. Your learning meets the necessary public health skills defined by the Public Health Association of New Zealand and the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.
You’ll graduate with the knowledge to critically evaluate evidence of health promotion prevention and intervention strategies. These include community development, participation, social change, social marketing and advocacy. You’ll be able to apply your new knowledge to the design, implementation and evaluation of health promotion activities.
Further study
You may wish to consider further study once you have completed your degree:
A Bachelor of Health Science in Health Promotion is a good fit if you:
- want to improve health outcomes for individuals, communities and populations
- are keen to pursue a career in health promotion or health advocacy
- already work in an area relevant to health promotion.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses each year.
Make sure you choose 147102 Whakapiri: Engagement in Mental Health and Addiction Work in your first year because it is the pre-requisite for one of your 200-level compulsory major courses.
About this major
To complete the Health Promotion major in the Bachelor of Health Science you must pass 120 credits in specified areas.
This major is primarily available via distance learning (online), however note that some courses are available on campus. Check details on each course page when you enrol.
Full-time study plan
This includes compulsory core courses, major courses, prerequisite courses and recommended electives
Year One
Semester One
- 231106 Introduction to Public Health
- 250100 Health Communication
- 214101 Human Bioscience: Normal Body Function
- 147102 Whakapiri: Engagement in Mental Health and Addiction Work (prerequisite for Year Two course)
Semester Two
- 214102 Applied Sciences for Health Professionals
- 231107 Social Determinants of Health (recommended to be taken in Semester Two only)
- 150112 Hauora tangata: Foundations of Māori Health
- Elective
Year Two
Semester One
- 250205 Principles and Practice of Human Epidemiology
- 214201 Human Bioscience: Impaired Body Function
- 150202 Mauri ora: Māori Wellbeing and Vitality
- 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society
Semester Two
- 214212 Research Methods in the Health Sciences
- 147202 Mental Health Promotion
- 179230 Tangata Moana Perspectives and Practices for Transformation
- 231200 Theories and Models of Health Promotion
Year Three
Semester One
- 250331 Health of Communities
- 150302 Whānau Ora: Principles of Flourishing Whānau
- 231307 Intervention Research and Design
- Elective
Semester Two
- 250303 Systems Thinking and Design for Health
- 231306 Public Health Evaluation
- 231308 Health Promotion Advocacy
- Elective
In the final semester of your study, you have the option to gain practical experience by taking the elective course 250320 Work Integrated Learning in Health Sciences.
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 Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate 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
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 Bachelor of Health Science
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Health Science core courses
Health Promotion courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 147202 Mental Health Promotion 15 credits
The course covers the rationale and principles of promoting mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Attention is given to key concepts and frameworks underpinning this area of practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society 15 credits
A study of the Treaty of Waitangi background, texts, principles, and application to contemporary New Zealand. There is a particular focus on land, legislation, court decisions, social policies, the environment, constitutional matters, claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty settlements. Differing perspectives of hapū/iwi/Māori and the Crown, as well as opportunities for resolution, are explored.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150302 Whānau ora: Principles of Flourishing Whānau 15 credits
Approaches for the advancement of Māori health will be reviewed with a particular focus on health promotion, whānau ora and the link between Māori health initiatives and positive Māori development.
View full course detailsCourse code: 179230 Tangata Moana Perspectives and Practices for Transformation 15 credits
Examining Tangata Moana (Pacific/Pasifika) perspectives and how they inform social practice and policy towards transforming individual, family and community outcomes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231200 Theories and Models of Health Promotion 15 credits
An opportunity for students to explore the theoretical foundation of community and population-based health promotion and mental health promotion. The course emphasises the application of models and theories to public health programmes and policies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231306 Public Health Evaluation 15 credits
An introduction to approaches for evaluating public health and health promotion programmes and systems change.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231307 Intervention Design 15 credits
A practical exploration of approaches and tools for designing interventions in public health and health promotion.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231308 Health Promotion Advocacy 15 credits
An analysis of approaches to advocacy in health promotion with a particular focus on practical facilitation, engagement and reflection.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
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.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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
With a Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion), you can embark on a wide range of career paths within public health organisations, healthcare institutions, government agencies, non-profit organisations, as well as Māori and Pacific health care organisations.
You can work directly with communities or in strategic roles focusing on health policy in local governments, health boards, and private entities. You could find work in any of the following fields:
- Community development
- Health education
- Health promotion
- Health research
- Policy and planning
- Program development
In these roles, you will serve as health educator, programme coordinator, community health advocate, or public health specialist, collaborating to create healthier communities and enhance overall wellbeing.
What our students say
“Studying a Bachelor of Health Science with a new born was deemed impossible, but my lectures made this possible by providing high quality academic support.”
“Raising a family, whilst studying via distance went from a dream into reality, a very achievable goal. A Bachelor of Health Science in Health Promotion has provided me with a platform to empower communities at the margins of society. Gaining a health science degree is now just the start of an academic journey ahead.”
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.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz