Public and Environmental Health Major - Bachelor of Health Science
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.
While this major is predominantly offered at the South Campus, some of the courses you study may be offered at the City or North Campus. To view timetables and see at which campus courses are offered use our course search. If the room for your course starts with A, that means it’s held at the North Campus (Akoranga). If it starts with M, it’s held at the South Campus (Manukau) and if it starts with W, it's held at the City Campus (Waihorotiu).
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora (15 points)
- HEAL513 Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Practice (15 points)
- HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems (15 points)
In the first semester all students study the same four courses to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
If you started before 2026
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health in 2025 or earlier, the courses you need to complete may be a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2025 or earlier.
Semester 2 courses
- HPRM604 Health Promotion (15 points)
- NUTR501 Nutrition, Activity and Health (15 points)
- PSYC503 Introductory Research Methods (15 points)
- PSYC602 Social Psychology (15 points)
Year 2
Semester 1 courses
- EPMY501 Introduction to Epidemiology (15 points)
- HPRM601 Fonua Ola Pasifika Health (15 points)
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
- Plus choose one elective or minor course
Semester 2 courses
- HPRM602 Theories and Models in Public and Environmental Health (15 points)
- HPRM706 Health Promotion of Communities (15 points)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion (15 points)
- Plus choose one elective or minor course
Year 3
Semester 1 courses
- HLAW701 Health Law and Policy (15 points)
- HEAL708 Professional Practice and Ethics (15 points)
- HPRM701 Public and Environmental Health Evaluation (15 points)
- Plus choose one elective course
Semester 1 courses
- PSYC713 Gambling Studies (15 points) 1
- HPRM702 Health Practice Cooperative (30 points)
- Plus choose one elective or minor course
1. The course PSYC713 is not offered in 2026. You should enrol in MENH706 Recovery and Wellbeing in Addiction Practice instead. If you were planning to take PSYC713 in 2026, you should receive a letter informing you of this change.
Include a minor in your degree
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.
Year 1
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems (15 points)
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- NUTR501 Nutrition, Activity and Health (15 points)
- PSYC503 Introductory Research Methods (15 points)
If you started before 2026
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health in 2025 or earlier, the courses you need to complete may be a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2025 or earlier.
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- EPMY501 Introduction to Epidemiology (15 points)
- HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora (15 points)
- HEAL513 Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Practice (15 points)
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
Year 2
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- HPRM602 Theories and Models in Public and Environmental Health (15 points)
- HPRM604 Health Promotion (15 points)
- PSYC602 Social Psychology (15 points)
- Plus choose one elective or minor course
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- HPRM601 Fonua Ola Pasifika Health (15 points)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion (15 points)
- Plus choose two elective or minor courses
Year 3
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- HPRM702 Health Practice Cooperative (30 points)
- HPRM706 Health Promotion of Communities (15 points)
- PSYC713 Gambling Studies (15 points) 1
- Plus choose one elective or minor course
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- HEAL708 Professional Practice and Ethics (15 points)
- HLAW701 Health Law and Policy (15 points)
- HPRM701 Public and Environmental Health Evaluation (15 points)
- Plus choose one elective or minor course
1. The course PSYC713 is not offered in 2026. You should enrol in MENH706 Recovery and Wellbeing in Addiction Practice instead. If you were planning to take PSYC713 in 2026, you should receive a letter informing you of this change.
Include a minor in your degree
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.
Workplace experience
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:
- Healthy Families: Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura
- Manurewa Marae: Whare Oranga
- Counties-Manukau, Auckland and Waitemata District Health Boards
- Auckland Council
- Accessible: Environmental Health Management Services
- Village Collective
- Datacom
- The Asian Network Incorporated
- Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
You may also be able to work on one of several research, teaching and innovation projects.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
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
Ready to enrol in your courses?
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 a course timetable or 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.
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other undergraduate study options
Majors in this degree
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Paramedicine
- Perioperative Practice
- Psychology
- No major (tailor the degree to your interests and career goals)
Other health science degrees
Postgraduate study options
- Focused on addressing major health and social issues
- Includes 150 hours of workplace experience related to health promotion
- Complete a double major with Psychology within 3 years
- Two intakes a year: start in Feb or July
- Offered at the South Campus, but includes some courses held at the City or North Campus
- Versatile
- Resourceful
- Articulate
- Creative
- Committed to the promotion of sustainable health
- Change agent
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.