1. Reflections on the Establishment of a New Undergraduate Degree with a
Public Health Major
Ann Richardson, Sarah Lovell, Arin Basu, Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll
School of Health Sciences

2. A new undergraduate qualification introduced at UC in 2013
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc)
A new undergraduate qualification introduced at UC in 2013
Contributing Departments/Schools:
Health Sciences
Aotahi - School of Māori and Indigenous Studies
Biological Science
Chemistry
Geography
Philosophy
Psychology
Sport and Physical Education

3. Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc)
This qualification was developed to address current and emerging needs in the New Zealand health workforce (the projected deficit for the New Zealand non-clinical health workforce by 2021 is over 20,000).
The plan was for the BHSc to lead to non-clinical careers (scientific, technical, educational, administrative, and policy analyst roles) in the health sector and related organisations. BHSc graduates would also be well equipped to undertake postgraduate study and research in Health Sciences.

4. “The Ministry of Health intends over time to require publicly funded public health providers to only employ staff with formal public health qualifications.”
( correspondence in response to CUAP consultation, 2012)
“Training and qualifications are consistent with generic competencies. A national undergraduate qualification in public health is available in New Zealand”
Two aims of Te Uru Kahikatea, the New Zealand public health workforce development plan (Ministry of Health 2007)

5. The determinants of health
The BHSc Core
Designed to ensure all BHSc graduates have the appropriate knowledge and skills for employment in the health and related sectors; a shared language and understanding of:
The determinants of health
Strategies for improving health and wellbeing
New Zealand health issues
Implications for health arising from the Treaty of Waitangi
The New Zealand health system
Critical appraisal skills
Values and ethics in health.

6. BHSc Core Courses HLTH101 Introduction to Health Studies
HLTH Nga Take Te Wero: Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
BIOL Human Biology
HLTH110 Epidemiology (replaced STAT101)
HLTH Health Promotion
HLTH Health in New Zealand
MAOR Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives
HLTH Evidence in Health

7. BHSc Majors* Public Health Māori and Indigenous Health
Health Education
Society and Policy
Environmental Health
Psychology
* Major in Physical Activity Promotion was disestablished.
Major in Leadership and Management had been intended.

8. BHSc Public Health Courses*
HLTH111 Global Health (replaced HLTH110 Epidemiology)
HLTH213 Health Systems and Policy
HLTH214 Environmental and Occupational Health
HLTH312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
GEOG322 Geography of Health
* Students with a BHSc majoring in Public Health meet the NZ Public Health and NZ Health Promotion Competencies.

10. Where will the BHSc (Public Health) lead?
(This was our hope)
A wide range of careers, such as health promoter, public health analyst, health policy analyst, multidisciplinary team leader, service coordinator.
In District Health Boards, Primary Care Organisations, Public Health Units, Māori and Iwi Health/Development Organisations, NGOs, Central government, and Local government.
Postgraduate studies for research careers in public health.

11. For Discussion
How to align undergraduate public health qualifications with Ministry of Health, Workforce New Zealand, and Australian requirements?
Collaboration with other Australasian universities?
Marketing (to potential employers as well as students)?
How can an undergraduate public health degree staircase to postgraduate qualifications such as the MHSc and MPH?
Other issues?