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Program Overview
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health – GradDipEH
The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health is designed to give students the training needed for a professional career in human health protection. This qualification prepares students for many roles, including entry into the two key environmental health occupations: Environmental Health Officer (EHO) and Health Protection Officer (HPO).
Overview
- The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health is a one-year full-time (120 credits) program that can also be taken part-time.
- The program is offered through distance and online learning.
- International students are not eligible for this program.
Type of Qualification
- Graduate diploma
- Level of study: Graduate study, NZQF level 7
Time to Complete
- 1 year full-time (120 credits)
- Part-time available
Where You Can Study
- Distance and online
International Students
- Not open to international students
Key Dates
- Admission application due dates
- Course enrolment dates for accepted students
- Semester dates
Study a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health – GradDipEH
Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health is designed to give students the training needed for a professional career in human health protection. Students will learn how to protect people and communities from threats to health from built and natural environments. Environmental health roles often require initiative to devise workable solutions to problems.
What is Environmental Health?
Environmental health is focused on all aspects of the environment that may affect human health. Threats to human health may be biological, physical, or chemical. These may come from natural processes, human activity, or a combination of the two. Students will study important environmental health topics including:
- Food safety
- Infectious disease transmission
- Drinking water quality
- Urban air pollution
- The hazards of excessive noise
- Exposure to toxic and other hazardous substances
- Workplace monitoring
- Medical geochemistry
- Contaminated site assessment
- Waste management and climate change
What Isn’t Environmental Health?
Environmental health does not mean the health of the wider environment – this is environmental science. However, there is a complex range of inter-relationships between the two areas. Climate change is a good example of an environmental impact that will have major direct and indirect impacts on human health.
A GradDipEH is a Good Fit If You:
- Would like to play a key role in community health protection
- Are comfortable with applied science and love a technical challenge
- Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent in qualifications and experience
Entry Requirements
- Admission to Massey: All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
- Specific requirements: To enter the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health, students will have been awarded or qualified for a relevant degree in applied science, health science, nursing, science, or technology.
- English language requirements: Students must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Time Limits for Honours, Distinction, and Merit
If students complete this qualification within the stated time limit and to a high standard, they may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
Prior Learning, Credit, and Exemptions
Students may apply to have up to 30 credits of formal or informal learning at 200/300-level credited towards their Graduate Diploma.
Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health
- If students study full-time, in their first year, they’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
- Five of the eight courses involve a single contact workshop component where students will travel to Wellington, meet staff and other students in the qualification, and learn specific skills.
Courses and Specialisations
- Compulsory courses: 120 credits
- Ensure that students also have 75 credits at 300 level
- Course planning key: Prerequisites, corequisites, restrictions
Compulsory Courses
- Course code: Toxic Substances, Human Health, and the Environment (15 credits)
- Course code: Food Safety and Human Health (15 credits)
- Course code: Environmental and Public Health Law (15 credits)
- Course code: Environmental Health Risk Management for Disasters (15 credits)
- Course code: Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases (15 credits)
- Course code: Environmental Monitoring and Investigative Methods (15 credits)
- Course code: Water and Waste Treatment (15 credits)
- Course code: Bio-Physical Effects of Noise and Vibration (15 credits)
Fees and Scholarships
- 2026 tuition fees:
- Domestic students: $8,420
- International students: Not applicable
- Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
- Scholarship and award opportunities
Careers and Job Opportunities
Environmental health jobs typically include a mix of indoor and outdoor work. Most involve working with people to promote a healthier environment in which to live.
- Environmental Health Officer (EHO)
- Health Protection Officer (HPO)
- Fields of work: Local, regional, and central government, private sector
Accreditations
- Environmental Health Officers Qualifications Regulations 1993
- ShanghaiRanking - public health
Related Study Options
- Environmental Health – Bachelor of Health Science
- Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety – GradDipOHS
- Māori Health – Master of Health Science
- Māori Health – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
- Nursing – Master of Health Science
- Occupational Health and Safety – Bachelor of Health Science
- Occupational Health and Safety – Master of Health Science
- Occupational Health and Safety – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
Colleges
- Massey Business School
- College of Creative Arts
- College of Health
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Sciences
Popular Links
- Apply to study
- Qualifications & courses search
- Scholarships & awards
- Key dates
- Massey University Calendar
- Student & staff portal
- Staff intranet
- Jobs at Massey
- News
- Events
