Public Health focuses on preventing disease and promoting the health of the population through the organised efforts of society. This differentiates it from the practice of personal healthcare, as it involves collective action across sectors and disciplines, with a focus on populations and communities. It has a strong focus on health equity, and reducing ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in health.

Graduates of the BHealSc majoring in public health will have the skills to work in a range of areas in the wider health sector, including government and non-government organisations.

The DPH is designed to develop public health skills at the postgraduate level. Candidates are required to hold a degree or to have appropriate professional qualifications and experience.

This programme is taught as an internal (on campus) programme in the University's three medical schools which are situated in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington. It consists of eight 15-point papers, four of which are compulsory and four others selected from sixteen options.

Candidates for the degree of MPH will have completed the DPH, or an equivalent qualification, at an acceptable level of attainment. The course of study will consist of either a thesis, or four DPH papers (not already completed) plus a dissertation.