Master of Public Health

Build your expertise to address public health challenges both now and in the future, and research a topic of your interest with the AUT Master of Public Health.

Develop advanced knowledge and skills to lead strategic changes in community and public health across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. You’ll build expertise in addressing the social, economic, cultural, educational and environmental factors that shape individual and community wellbeing.

AUT’s Master of Public Health advances best practice in this challenging field. It's ideal if you’re passionate about community wellbeing, tackling health inequities or influencing health policy and strategy. It’s also a good fit if you’re already working in the field and need an advanced tertiary-level qualification.

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Start date: 2022

Start date: 2023

Minimum entry requirements

Completed one of the following with a B average or higher:

  • Relevant bachelor’s degree
  • Relevant graduate diploma

International student entry requirements

Other requirements

May be admitted on the basis of a relevant professional qualification or professional experience approved by the Dean (or representative) to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0

English language requirements

Advance your knowledge of contemporary public health challenges and strengthen your skills in shaping innovative health policies and programmes. You’ll also research a topic of interest by completing either a thesis or a dissertation.

This programme is committed to principles of equity, social justice, empowerment and community participation and ownership. All courses are offered via flexible learning, including a mix of block courses on campus and online, or blended learning.

Complete the following courses

  • PUBH801 Principles of Public Health (15 points) (Semester 1)
  • EPMY801 Social Epidemiology (15 points) (Semester 1)
  • MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora Hauora Māori Development (15 points) (Semesters 1, 2)
  • PUBH804 Public Health Policy and Systems (15 points) (Semester 1)

Choose one course from the following

  • HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points) (Semesters 1, 2)
  • MAOH801 Te Rangahau Hauora Māori – Māori Health Research Practice (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points) (Semester 1)

And 45 points from

  • COMH805 Trauma Informed Practice and Psychosocial Interventions (15 points)
  • EMGT806 Communications in Emergency and Disaster (15 points) (Semester 1)
  • EMGT808 Disasters and Development (15 points) (Semester 1)
  • EMGT807 Environmental Change and Humanitarian Action (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • EMGT809 Building Community Resilience (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • GEOL801 Environment, Hazards and Society (15 points) (Summer School)
  • HEAL808 Quantitative Research II (15 points) (Semester 1, 2)
  • HEAL810 Qualitative Research II (15 points) (Semester 1, 2)
  • HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points) (Semester 1, 2)
  • HEAL816 Special Topic (15 points) (Semester 1, 2)
  • HEAL825 Applied Health Care Ethics (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • HEAL840 Critical Inquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points) (Semester 1, 2)
  • HLAW801 Health Law (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • MAOH801 Te Rangahau Hauora Māori – Māori Health Research Practice (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • MAOH802 Taunga a Mahi Hauora Māori – Māori Healthcare Practice (30 points)
  • MAOH803 Effective Supervision in Maori Health (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • MENH801 Enhancing Social Participation in Mental Health (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • PUBH802 Public Health Programme Management (15 points) (Semester 2) - not offered in 2022
  • PUBH803 Global Health (15 points) (Semester 2)
  • PUBH809 Advanced Epidemiology and Health Metrics (15 points)
  • PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points) (Semester 1)

Or alternative optional courses approved by the Associate Dean Postgraduate.

And complete a thesis or dissertation

Or

Or

Skills you will develop

The outcomes for graduates of the Master of Public Health are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.

Graduate Profile

Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.

Quick facts
Programme code:
AK3805
Level:
9
Points:
240
Duration:
2 years full-time / part-time available
Campus:
South Campus
Starts:
18 Jul 2022
27 Feb 2023
17 Jul 2023
Fees:
Domestic
$8,957
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee based on a full-time workload of 120 points of this 240-point programme in 2022. The exact tuition fee will depend on courses selected and may exceed this figure.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more
International
$39,100
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee based on a full-time workload of 120 points of this 240-point programme in 2022. The exact tuition fee will depend on courses selected and may exceed this figure.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Scholarships at AUT

Ainda Piako Kepon
Phoutthanaphone Nedthongsavanh
Princess John
McDonald William Nyalapa
Vansak Soeum
Ainda Piako Kepon
Great graduatesAinda Piako KeponMaster of Public HealthShe wants to help the women and girls of Papua New Guinea, says Master of Public Health student Ainda Piako Kepon who came to AUT as an international student.She wants to help the women and girls of Papua New Guinea, says Master of Public Health student Ainda Piako Kepon who came to AUT as an international student, supported by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand – Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship. For her Master of Public Health research, Ainda is investigating how to strengthen the sexual and reproductive health of displaced women and children in Melanesia.
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Phoutthanaphone Nedthongsavanh
Great graduatesPhoutthanaphone NedthongsavanhMedical Doctor & Health Researcher, Mittaphab Hospital, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, LaosMaster of Public HealthHealth research is important because it can improve the lives of large-scale populations, says AUT public health alumnus Phoutthanaphone Nedthongsavanh.Health research is important because it can improve the lives of large-scale populations, says Phoutthanaphone Nedthongsavanh who came to AUT as an international student from Laos to study a Master of Public Health. His studies were supported by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand – Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship.
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Princess John
Great graduatesPrincess JohnMaster of Public HealthShe has a passion for improving children’s nutrition in Papua New Guinea, says Princess John who came to AUT as an international student to study public health.She has a passion for improving children’s nutrition in Papua New Guinea, says Princess John who came to AUT as an international student, supported by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade NZ Scholarship. What fascinates her about public health is that enables her to play a part in improving people’s lives every day.
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McDonald William Nyalapa
Great graduatesMcDonald William NyalapaLecturer in Adult Health, University of Malawi, Blantyre, MalawiMaster of Public HealthPostgraduate study has made him more confident in his career as a health professional, says McDonald William Nyalapa who came to AUT from Malawi.Postgraduate study has made him more confident in his career as a health professional, says McDonald William Nyalapa who came to AUT as an international student from Malawi to study a Master of Public Health. For his master’s thesis, McDonald explored the risk of diabetes in Malawi, under the supervision of AUT academics Dr Cath Conn and Kate Kersey.
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Vansak Soeum
Great graduatesVansak SoeumHIV Analyst, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) / Lecturer, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh, CambodiaMaster of Public HealthHealth is everything, says health sciences alumnus Vansak Soeum who came to AUT as an international student from Cambodia to study a Master of Public Health.Health is everything, says health sciences alumnus Vansak Soeum who came to AUT as an international student from Cambodia to study a Master of Public Health, supported by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade NZ Scholarship. For his master’s degree research, he examined the distance to healthcare services as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes in Cambodia.
Read full story
View all student profiles

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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