public health phd new zealand

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Study public health , Te hauora tūmatanui

Improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities. Public health (also called population health) includes disease prevention, health promotion and health protection.

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• Student stories
• Careers & jobs
• Accreditations

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.

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.

Discover your path in health science at Massey University.

Health Promotion – Bachelor of Health Science

Tackle key health challenges and improve individual, community and population well-being with Massey's Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion).

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 start or advance a career in the mental health and addictions 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.

• Health promotion
• Integrated human health
• Mental health and addiction

Postgraduate study

Master's degrees, 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 has practice and research pathways. The Professional Practice Pathway  involves coursework and work-integrated learning opportunities. The Research Pathway involves conducting research under the supervision of experienced public health researchers.

Postgraduate diplomas

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.

Public health research

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

Master of Public Health

“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.”

Bachelor of Health Science (Integrated Human Health)

“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.”

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
• mental health and addiction practitioners
• policy analysts or advisers
• service designers.

Annual salary ranges for jobs

• Epidemiologist – $50,000 to $175,000
• Policy analyst – $71,000 to $170,000
• 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.

Accreditations and rankings

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.

APHEA Validated Curriculum

The Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA) has validated Massey's Master of Public Health as adhering to international standards for a modern comprehensive degree in public health.

Get an information guide

Download our guide to find out more about studying public health (also called population health) at Massey.

Search courses or qualifications

• List all qualifications you can study at Massey

Related areas of interest

Study environmental and occupational health.

Delve into factors affecting health and wellbeing — from air and water quality to housing, climate change to health and safety at work.

Study Māori knowledge

Massey explores Māori cultural, educational, health and economic development. Tirohia ngā tohu kaupapa Māori. Find out about our Māori qualifications.

Study nursing

Become a highly skill nurse. We can help — we've been doing it for decades, ranking in the world's top 150 universities for nursing.

Study social work

From addiction support to child protection, aged care to mental health services, Massey prepares you for a career helping individuals and whānau.

8 Best Public Health schools in New Zealand

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in New Zealand ranked based on their research performance in Public Health. A graph of 1.24M citations received by 36.2K academic papers made by 8 universities in New Zealand was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Otago

For Public Health

2. University of Auckland

3. Massey University

4. University of Canterbury

5. Victoria University of Wellington

6. Auckland University of Technology

7. University of Waikato

8. Lincoln University, New Zealand

The best cities to study Public Health in New Zealand based on the number of universities and their ranks are Dunedin , Auckland , Palmerston North , and Christchurch .

Medicine subfields in New Zealand

Why a New Zealand PhD?

New zealand’s phd package.

International PhD students in New Zealand enjoy the following benefits:

How to apply

Apply now to your preferred university:.

Victoria University of Wellington

The University of Waikato

The University of Otago

Massey University

Lincoln University

The University of Canterbury

AUT University

The University of Auckland

Jessica Patiño-Pérez | Colombian PhD student

Still have questions?

How much are tuition fees, what is the phd structure, what is the length of a phd programme, how will my phd be assessed, how soon are you planning to begin your studies.

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Great! Get started by using our course search tool to find a programme that suits you. Then follow our 5 step guide to plan your study experience.

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Public Health

Mātai hauora ā-hapori whānui, introduction.

Public Health is the study of human health and wellbeing, specifically in how we promote health within populations and protect them from risks.

What will my study involve? keyboard_arrow_down

What will my study involve.

• Gain a strong foundation in health sciences, with detailed knowledge in public health, including impact and ethics.
• Take a look at how health programmes are delivered through an internship course in your final year.
• On successful completion of your degree, you will meet the Aotearoa New Zealand competencies for public health, and health promotion (endorsed by Rūnanga Whakapiki Ake i te Hauora o Aotearoa | Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand).

Courses keyboard_arrow_down

Public health major.

For the major in the Bachelor of Health Sciences , complete the following courses:

• HLTH111 Global Health
• HLTH213 Health Systems and Policy
• HLTH214 Environmental and Occupational Health
• GEOG217 Places for Wellbeing & Flourishing OR PHIL240 Bioethics: Life, Death & Medicine
• HLTH312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
• 30 points of courses chosen from these options

Public Health minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Product Design, Psychological Science, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:

• Choose five courses listed in the major, with at least three above 100-level

Health promotion pathway

If you are interested in working in health promotion the Certificate in Health Sciences and Diploma in Health Sciences can give you a headstart, preparing you with the practical and theoretical knowledge to make a positive contribution to population health and wellbeing.

On completion of your Certificate or Diploma you will be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Health Sciences majoring in Public Health.

Career opportunities keyboard_arrow_down

Career opportunities.

This subject prepares you with the skills needed to work in the public health sector or community development, and be part of multidisciplinary teams.

Career pathways could include:

• public health advisor
• district health board manager
• Māori and Pacific health organisations
• public health analyst.

Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Health Sciences .

Related brochures

Undergraduate prospectus, whakatairanga ākonga, international prospectus 2024/2025, student stories, suli tuitaupe, 20 july 2023.

"I am passionate about fitness, well-being, and health equity..."

Romana Kafedžić

19 march 2024.

"My degree has provided an incredible platform from which to launch my career..."

Victoria Tetley

"After each lecture you go away thinking 'Wow, that was so interesting!'..."

Megan Alderson

02 august 2023.

"I had a desire to help individuals help themselves..."

Related subjects

Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how UC’s range of study options can let you study what you want to.

Health Sciences

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Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora

Faculty of --> faculty of health.

Conduct advanced original research and earn a PhD with the Wellington Faculty of Health.

The PhD thesis is a major piece of original research that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to carry out independent research and constitutes a significant and original contribution to knowledge or understanding of a field of study. As well as intelligence and an aptitude for research, the degree requires considerable dedication and tenacity.

The minimum period of registration before a PhD thesis can be submitted for examination is 36 months full-time (or equivalent).

Registering your interest and initial enquiries

Prospective PhD students can contact the PhD coordinator from the relevant School:

• School of Health, Dr Agnes Szabo
• School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Dr Brian Robinson

The Faculty of Graduate Research (FGR) website will link you to the online application process, provide you with details of available funding, application dates, and answers to questions you may have about what is involved in undertaking a PhD.

Your acceptance will depend on a number of factors, including your previous qualifications and experience, the suitability of your topic for PhD studies and our capacity to supervise you and your topic.

PhD applications

Applications for PhD study can be made at any time, but are considered three times a year: 1 March, 1 July and 1 November.

You will need a Bachelor’s degree with Honours or a Master’s degree at a New Zealand university, with an overall GPA or no less than 6 (letter grade B+) to apply to enrol for a PhD. Enrolment will be subject to the availability of supervisors and approval of the Associate Dean.

In certain circumstances, it is possible for a candidate to begin a Victoria University of Wellington Master’s thesis degree and upgrade to a PhD. Conditions apply.

Find out how to apply here. If you have any questions about the application process please email the Doctoral Admissions staff .

Enquire about research programmes

Fill in our form for advice on Master of Health Research, PhD, or Professional Doctorate study with us.

Help with writing your thesis

The School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice offers all PhD students the opportunity to attend twice-yearly research school weeks in Wellington. This is a valuable opportunity to discuss research issues and work with your peers and academic staff, as well as national and international visiting academics.

When you complete your thesis, it will be examined by three examiners—usually one from Victoria University of Wellington, one from another New Zealand university and one from an overseas university. You will also be required to defend your thesis in an oral examination.

Related links

• Faculty of Graduate Research
• Te Kura Tapuhi Hauora—School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice

Doctor of Philosophy

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by the University for research carried out under the supervision of at least two staff members. A PhD can also be presented as a PhD with Publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component.

480 points, 3 years

Hamilton, Tauranga

Papers offered differ by location. Find a Paper for full location info.

• The University of Waikato (All areas)

School of Graduate Research

• Waikato Management School

The first day of any month from February to November

Why study the Doctor of Philosophy?

With a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), you become a deep expert in a specific area. The research you engage in empowers you not only with in-depth knowledge, but also the critical thinking and communication skills to engage in the most pressing social, political, and economic conversations of our time.

The research you undertake is written up as a thesis, which may include papers published, or intended to be published, contributing to your field of study. The thesis is required to present the research case; outlining the research conducted, findings, conclusions, and your original contribution to the field's knowledge. 

There is no coursework for this degree.

For those considering integrating creative work with their PhD research, download and read the Requirements for PhD with a Creative Practice Component .

Degree information

Choose a subject

Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.

Browse available subjects and choose one for more information

Candidates making enquiries about the PhD programme need sufficient information to make an informed choice about their study plans. The Graduate Advisor in the appropriate Faculty/School can be approached for initial advice on these matters. Our  Staff Profiles  are another useful resource.

View the PhD Regulations and the  Higher Research Degree Application Process .

Estimated fees

$6,800 - $7,221 per year

Domestic tuition fees

Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.

Scholarships

Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.

Relevant as of 20 February 2024.

All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study .

$6,800 - $7,220 per year

International tuition fees

Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.

All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. 

Other Higher Research Degrees

Doctor of musical arts, doctor of education, doctor of juridical science, master of philosophy, doctor of philosophy (phd) research opportunities.

Browse our available PhD or Doctoral opportunities, our research areas and potential supervisors.

• Find a PhD opportunity

What our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students are saying

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NZ already spends less on health than Australia or Canada – we need proper funding, not ‘crisis’ management

Associate Professor of Hauora Māori, University of Otago

Professor of Law, John and Marylyn Mayo Chair in Health Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Professor of Health Economics, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Professor of Public Health, University of Otago

Professor; Co-Director, Centre for Health Systems and Technology, University of Otago

Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Disclosure statement

Esther Willing receives funding from the Health Research Council.

Paula Lorgelly receives or has received funding from the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand and the Health Research Council.

Peter Crampton receives or has received funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. He is a member of the Public Health Advisory Committee, the Board of Te Tāhū Hauora (Health Quality and Safety Commission), and the Ministry of Health Primary and Community Care Advisory Group. He was a member of the Health and Disability System Review panel.

Tim Tenbensel receives funding from the Health Research Council. He is affiliated with Health Coalition Aotearoa.

Jaime King and Robin Gauld do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Auckland and University of Otago provide funding as members of The Conversation AU.

University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and University of Otago provide funding as members of The Conversation NZ.

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We are being told the health system is in crisis, “ on the brink of failure ” – spending beyond its budget, waiting times getting longer, suffering from widespread staff shortages.

The government has responded by dismissing the board of Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) and appointing Lester Levy as commissioner, with the task of reducing “overspending”. Levy himself has called the system “bloated” and said a “reset” is needed.

However, claims of overspending downplay the most significant external contributors to our stressed health system, while attempting to shift the focus internally. We are concerned the overspending narrative may be a precursor to doubt being cast on the viability of the publicly-funded system in general.

Many of the challenges faced by our health system are not unique to New Zealand. Global workforce shortages have been building since the 2000s, affecting most health systems.

COVID-19 exacerbated these trends. Many healthcare workers experienced burnout during the pandemic and left the health system. Many who remain are stressed and overworked.

Workforce pressures combine with a number of other factors: increased demand for health services, ageing populations (of patients and the health workforce), ever-growing treatment options and rising patient expectations, and an increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions needing ongoing, long-term care.

NZ underspends on health

The health systems of most high-income countries are under stress. But by far the biggest local factor contributing to New Zealand’s stressed health system is historical and current underfunding. Rather than overspending, it has been incredibly frugal for a long time.

Throughout the 2010s, just over 9% of the country’s GDP was spent on health, when most comparable countries were spending between 10% and 12% . According to OECD data , in 2020 New Zealand spent the equivalent of US$3,929 per capita on health – far less than Canada (US$6,215) and Australia (US$5,802).

That gap drives salary differences with comparable countries for health workers, exacerbating our workforce shortages as valuable trained staff leave for better pay elsewhere. While there is scope for productivity improvement in parts of the system, any such gains would be small compared to the cumulative extent of past underfunding.

Also important is the two-tiered nature of the New Zealand health system. The 1938 Social Security Act, which created the publicly-funded system, aimed to ensure health services would be free and accessible to all citizens. Now, however, primary health care is not affordable for around one in eight New Zealanders.

The problem goes back to the original compromise between the government and the medical profession. GPs retained the right to operate as private businesses, receiving government subsidies while also charging patients consultation fees. Doctors in public hospitals became salaried, but were allowed to operate a parallel private practice.

Consequently, better-off people could access health services more quickly in the private sector. No government since has been able to shift these arrangements, despite the considerable inequities of access they entail.

Would other funding models work?

For more than 80 years, the basic design of the publicly-funded health system has served us well, even with the two-tiered design flaws. Around 80% of the health system is funded publicly through taxation, a model we share with the UK, Spain and Scandinavian countries.

Given 37% of New Zealanders currently have private insurance, would a greater role for private funding reduce pressure on public funding? International experience tells us no.

The private insurance-based US health system is by far the most expensive in the world, soaking up nearly 18% of GDP . The prices paid by private insurers for health services have increased significantly faster than public parts of the US system.

There is also New Zealand evidence that private insurance can burden the public sector , with acute followup care sometimes required in public hospitals. Private insurers manage the pinch of rising healthcare costs by increasing premiums and tightening eligibility restrictions.

Health systems that rely on funding via private insurance are less accessible, less efficient, less equitable and generally have worse health outcomes. Put simply, market-based healthcare doesn’t deliver the expected benefits of markets, but does generate the expected downsides.

Another alternative to the tax-funded system is social insurance, where employers and employees pay into sickness funds, not unlike New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation.

In countries with social insurance, such as Germany and the Netherlands, the provision of care is predominantly from non-government providers, rather than government-run hospitals. But research has shown there are higher cost pressures in social insurance systems because they are costlier to administer than tax-based systems.

In tax-based systems, rationing due to funding shortfalls is more visible in the form of waiting times and waiting lists. In private insurance-based systems, rationing is based on affordability and is far less visible.

Protecting access and fairness

Addressing the challenges within New Zealand’s health system requires adequate funding, and investment in the people who make up the system itself.

This includes the healthcare workers who take care of us, and the administrative and support staff who make that healthcare possible.

Short-term belt-tightening will most likely deepen the crisis. In the longer term, a viable publicly-funded system is more efficient and effective than the known alternatives.

This requires a policy commitment to actively address the many drivers of the crisis in ways that align with our values of universal access and fairness.

Meanwhile, we will need to have difficult conversations about how we address this underfunding, and how we train and support healthcare workers. Our publicly-funded health system is needed as much now as when it was first set up, to ensure all New Zealanders have access to healthcare when they need it.

• Public health
• New Zealand
• Health insurance
• Health funding
• Social investment

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Staff Spotlight: Mychelle Harris

August 8, 2024  | Erin Bluvas,  [email protected]

“I like to say I’m from a little bit of everywhere and a little bit of nowhere,” says Mychelle Harris , training administrator for the Center for Community Health Alignment .

Harris’ family moved every three to four years for her dad’s assignments with the U.S. Army. She finished high school in Sumter while he was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base and spent a year studying biology at the College of Charleston before transferring to USC’s main campus.

I’m beyond grateful for my journey from student to staff. I would have never found a passion for my field and met the amazing people I work with.

“I was anxious about finding a niche or finding a group to fit in with,” Harris says. “I’ve never felt like I had a place to call home as a military brat, but Columbia opened its arms and welcomed me in.”

As an undergrad, she studied biology initially – knowing that she had a knack for science and math. She learned about the public health major during a statistics course and says that’s when the spark started.

Harris found mentors in her professors, particularly April Winningham (recently retired) and Sara Corwin , who taught her senior seminar.

“Dr. Winningham gave me the tools to succeed and taught me skills I use to this very day,” Harris says. “Dr. Corwin encouraged us all to try something we’re interested in even if we don’t know if it’ll work out. If you don’t like it, at least you tried it and now you know more about what you do like.”

After graduating in 2020, Harris began volunteering with PASOs and the Community Health Worker Institute – both programs within the Center for Community Health Alignment. She spent six months working closely with the training team and the Southeast Community Health Worker Network.

“Working on these projects and with these teams ignited my passion for community health work,” says Harris, who was then hired as a training administrator for the Center. “I’m beyond grateful for my journey from student to staff. I would have never found a passion for my field and met the amazing people I work with.”

Since then, Harris has been an integral part of the training conducted for community health workers and their allies. She handles logistics and supports the training team to ensure they have everything they need to successfully engage participants.

"As the workforce of Community Health Workers increases, so has the demand for training," says Greg Green , training manager for the Center. "Mychelle has been an integral part of our relationship-building with organizations and individuals who want our training, inside and outside of South Carolina. The logistics for keeping up with the rapid demand increase, across the nation, is not an easy task, but Mychelle does so with grace."

Harris’ favorite part of her job is listening to and sharing the experiences of trainees. She says their perspectives and the contributions they bring to the trainings take the outcomes to the next level and result in lasting connections. 

“Throughout my time in Columbia, I’ve made unforgettable friendships and memories as well as learned many life lessons,” Harris says. “I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything.”

The Staff Spotlight Series is sponsored by the Arnold School's Office of Access and Collective Engagement.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) 

Program snapshot, program resources, admission requirements.

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Center for Global Health

Gain the skills and knowledge needed to address today’s health challenges on a community level through education, public policy, research, and strategic partnerships.

Why Earn an M.P.H. at New York Tech?

New York Institute of Technology tailors this fully online Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program to individuals working in or planning to pursue a career in the public health field.

You’ll explore public health systems in urban and rural environments, both nationally and globally, focusing on prevention and empowering traditionally underserved communities. You’ll acquire a broad understanding of public health in its historical context and master evidence-based principles and their application to present challenges, including environmental health and health disparities, as well as the mitigation of epidemics and natural disasters.

With its emphasis on communications, policy, and interdisciplinary solutions, our M.P.H. program will help you develop a methodological, social justice-centered mindset. You’ll learn to act as an advocate on a range of public health challenges, promoting greater well-being and helping communities move toward more equitable outcomes.  

You’ll graduate ready to fill in-demand positions in local health departments, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

Request Information

Learn where a Public Health, M.P.H. from New York Tech can take you. Complete the form to start the conversation.

What You’ll Learn

The program covers all aspects of the discipline, while a choice of electives provides insight into areas that align with your career goals. It includes a fieldwork-based practicum at a healthcare facility in the United States or abroad, where you’ll apply course concepts and gain valuable experience in the implementation of preventative public health strategies. 

Customize Your Studies

During this 200-hour assignment, you’ll take an active role in health services and participate in a preventative health initiative.

The Center for Global Health develops leaders ready to tackle the challenges of disease and health disparities both in the U.S. and around the world through education, research, and service-learning.

Global Health Certificate

Give your perspective on healthcare provision and policy a global context. This immersive program includes classroom learning, research, and hands-on international fieldwork. Some M.P.H. credits/courses can be applied toward the Global Health Certificate.

Career & Salary Outlook

With in-depth knowledge of matters related to public health, M.P.H. students find roles that draw on their expertise and passions, embarking on careers ranging from public policy advocacy to medical services management.

Job growth for Medical and Health Services Managers is estimated at 28 percent through 2032 (BLS).

Employers & Internships

• Research and Development

Career Options

• Epidemiologist
• Healthcare Administrator
• Health Educator
• Policymaker
• Registered Nurse
• Social/Community Service Manager

Salary Projections

Medical and health services managers earn a median U.S. annual salary of $104,830; epidemiologists earn $78,520; and social/community service managers earn $74,240.

Program Details

Learn more about how to apply to the M.P.H. program and ways to fund your education.

To be eligible to apply to the Master of Public Health program, you’ll need to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

To apply, submit the following:

• Completed online application
• $50 application fee
• Transcripts from all college-level work
• Copy of your college diploma or proof of your degree
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of reference
• Official GRE scores, if required (GRE Code: 2561)

Note that additional requirements apply to international students.

Scholarships and Aid

Explore opportunities to offset program costs, including New York Tech scholarships, graduate assistantships, and federal financial aid.

Keep Exploring

Transform your compassion into impact by earning an M.P.H. from New York Tech.

Postgraduate programmes offered by the Department of Public Health

Tohu paerua, you're in the perfect city to change a country.

Study postgraduate public health at Otago's Wellington campus and build a career which positively impacts the health of all New Zealanders.

Teaching staff

Meet some of the amazing teachers and researchers from our Wellington campus. The two-minute video above introduces Professors Louise Signal, Philippa Howden-Chapman and Michael Baker. Or further short profiles can be read at Meet some of our DPH teachers .

To quote a recent student...

"It was incredible to be taught by people actively practising and making a huge difference in Aotearoa health and policy. I could see their work changing our system around me. I could see it in the medical journals, in the media, in the decisions of government." - Carl Shuker (DPH student - Wellington).

Postgraduate programmes on offer

Our Study Public Health website has information about the postgraduate public health programmes across our 3 campuses: Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (PGCertPH)

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH)

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management (PGDipHealMgt)

Master of Health Sciences endorsed in Health Management (MHealSc)

Master of Public Health (MPH)

PhD based in the Department of Public Health

Postgraduate Research

PhD and Masters opportunities and contact details for research groups in the department

Masters students

List of completed Masters students

PhD students

List of current and completed PhD students

Postgraduate Co-ordinator University of Otago, Wellington PO Box 7343 Wellington 6242 New Zealand Tel +64 4 832 3017 Email [email protected]

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Postgraduate study in Public Health

What can you study in public health.

You can study Public Health in the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or the Master of Public Health .

Our graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and capacity to forge new pathways towards real solutions for disadvantaged populations in the face of change. Our public health programme equips you with the knowledge and skills to help reduce the burden of disease and injury and improve the quality of healthcare delivery. It provides an advanced understanding of the theoretical and practical issues and the skills to apply these principles in the workplace, in research and in day-to-day life.

Areas of study within Public Health include epidemiology and biostatistics, Māori health, and health services and policy.

Explore the postgraduate courses you can take in Public Health

Master of Public Health schedule

Where can postgraduate study in Public Health take you?

Our graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and capacity to forge new pathways towards real solutions for disadvantaged populations in the face of change.

You can become the conscience of society in health and healthcare provision, provide a community voice on important health issues, programmes, strategies and policies; and utilise your knowledge to contribute in reducing inequalities and inequities in health.

Jobs related to Public Health

• Disease surveillance and monitoring
• Healthcare organisations
• Health planning
• Policy making
• Primary healthcare professional
• Public healthcare research
• Public health management

Postgraduate programmes

• Master of Public Health
• Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health