The aim of the Bachelor of Community Health (with majors in Public Health and Occupational Health and Safety) is to develop non-clinical health professionals who are able to work from a multidisciplinary and strengths-based perspective to enhance the holistic wellbeing of individuals, whānau/families, organisations and communities with specific emphasis on needs of Māori. Further, graduates of this programme will develop and apply skills and knowledge to working in and with diverse communities to understand and work with their specific needs, world view and values to reduce inequities in health and improve health outcomes for all.

A graduate of the Bachelor of Community Health is able to:
Competently apply knowledge relevant to community health to assist in the enhancement of the health of individuals and whānau/families, organisations and communities.
Critically assess ways in which socio-cultural, economic and physical environments are determinants in the health of individuals, whānau/families, organisations and communities.
Evaluate how well the holistic health needs of individuals, whānau/families, organisations and communities are met through the provision of and access to health services.
Work as a facilitator and advocate with communities and organisations to develop health management plans that build on the strengths and enhance the resilience of individuals, whānau/families, organisations and communities.
Use multi-discipline and multi-sector partnerships to develop strengths-based practices to enhance the impact and sustainability of organisation and community health programmes.
Research, articulate and apply knowledge and skills relevant to ethical and effective community and/or organisational health promotion practices in an area of specialisation within a chosen work context.
Use analytical and inquiry processes to further their development as a community and/or organisation health promotion professional.

Education Pathways
Graduates of this qualification may be eligible for entry into a variety of further tertiary education programmes relating to this field of study, for example:
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, University of Auckland, Massey University
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science, University of Canterbury, Auckland University of Technology
Master of Public Health, Auckland University of Technology
Master of Health Sciences, Universities of Otago, Canterbury or Auckland
Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Practice, Waikato Institute of Technology
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management, University of Otago
Master of Emergency Management, Auckland University of Technology
Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health, Massey University
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences endorsed in Occupational Health, University of Otago
Various postgraduate qualifications in business and administration

Entry Criteria
The following minimum criteria apply for entry to this programme:

Academic Criteria
University Entrance as specified on the NZQA website (here ), including:
Successful completion of NCEA Level 3;
Successful completion of three approved subjects - at Level 3, made up of 14 credits each;
Achievement of 10 credits in literacy at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing; and,
Achievement of 10 credits in numeracy at Level 1 or above, made up of:
achievement standards - specified achievement standards are available through a range of subjects, or
unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three are required).
or
Successful completion of a qualification at level 4 or above.

Criminal Record Check
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will carry out a criminal record check on prospective students. Student entry will be provisional until these checks have been completed. The outcome of the police check will be kept on record.

In addition, students must disclose any criminal conviction or charges gained throughout the duration of their enrolment in the Bachelor of Community Health. Any conviction or charge may lead to the student being expelled from the programme. This will be decided by BoPP's disciplinary process.

Participation in an Interview
All applicants are required to attend an interview. Applicants will be advised of the date, time and place of the meeting as well as who will be there to meet them. They are welcome to bring whānau members and/or friends along to the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is to identify if the programme is the most appropriate study option for the applicant, and, for the applicant, to learn about the programme and the polytechnic, and for the programme coordinator to get to know the prospective student. This interview will also be used to establish the suitability of the student for work in the community health sector.

Referee Check and Statutory Declaration
As part of the application process, students will be required to supply two referees that BoPP can contact to determine suitability for work in the community health sector. Students will also be required to complete a statutory declaration around soundness of character.

If the programme may not be the best option for the applicant they will be offered career guidance to investigate other options.
After the meeting it is up to the applicant to decide if they wish to enrol.

English Language Requirements
International applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to show evidence of language competency, issued within the last two years, before being eligible to enrol in any non-English programme. The level of competency required is outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013 and below under the title English Competency.

Degree Level 7 IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 or completed NZ Certificate in English Language L4 with the academic endorsement or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013

here
For domestic applicants for whom English is not their first language evidence of language competency may be required.

Special Admission
The polytechnic will consider students for special admission who do not satisfy the standard academic entry requirements of a programme but who in the opinion of the Programme Coordinator are capable of achieving the programme outcomes. This includes applicants over 20 years, who do not meet the academic criteria, but have relevant experience and capability to succeed in the programme. Evidence of capability may be required.