Course details

Summary

The purpose of the Maori and Indigenous Health major is to prepare culturally competent graduates who are able to use, apply and integrate Maori, bicultural and indigenous knowledge and practices in their chosen health and social services-related careers.

The holistic Maori view of health and well-being is an important component of the major, which includes knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Te Ao Tangata - Engaging with Maori: understanding, respect, te reo, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication/dialogue, and Maori health-based experiences;

Te Ao Hauora - Working with health professionals: promoting students' understandings of the multiple disciplines and roles involved in delivering health care to Maori, including clinicians (eg, pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists), the cultural/community/clinical interface, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration;

Nga Ratonga Hauora - Working with health services and health systems: providing students with a thorough grounding in socio-historical health developments and current health system structures, including Maori and iwi community-based health and social services.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a three-year non-clinical degree designed to address gaps in the health workforce by producing graduates with multidisciplinary skills and an understanding of important national health issues.

New Zealand's health and disability sector is characterized by a diverse workforce made up of many occupations. This diversity is essential to be able to provide the range of services required to meet population health outcomes.

Qualification structure and duration

The BHSc requires a total of 360 points made up of:

• at least 135 points from compulsory courses
• at least 90 points from one subject major
• the remaining points may be taken from within Health Sciences or any other degree offered at UC.

Note: at least 225 of the total points must be above 100-level and at least 90 points must be for courses at 300-level.

Double majors

Many students choose to enrol in a double major and this can often be completed in the same length of time as a single major. Students commonly combine majors in Public Health and Society and Policy; Health Education and Psychology; and Maori and Indigenous Health and Public Health. Elective courses may be chosen from Health Sciences or other degrees across the University.

Further study

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree, there are a wide range of postgraduate study options at UC including:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Arts or Master of Science in Child and Family Psychology
• Master of Counselling
• Master of Health Sciences
• Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

Career options for students who major in Maori and Indigenous Health include: research and policy analysis or advice, health promotion and community health liaison roles in non-governmental organisations focused on health and well-being, Maori and iwi health and development organisations, District Health Boards and local government.

Students interested in progressing to postgraduate study will be well prepared as a result as a result of this major, particularly in relation to Maori and Indigenous Studies and/or Health.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Recommended preparation

For some majors, a background in biology, chemistry and statistics can be beneficial. If you would like to brush up on your knowledge in these areas, Headstart preparatory and summer catch-up courses are available.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.