BA (Hons) in Health Promotion

BA (Hons) in Health Promotion WD124 (Level 8)Health Promotion is about raising the health status of individuals and communities and increasing the control people have overthe social, economic and environmental factors that affect their health. The overall aim of the course is to educate healthpromotion specialists who have the core skills to work with a wide variety of population groups, and in a wide range of settings.

Target health promotion settings include schools, workplaces and communities.

Target populations include older adults, youth-at-risk, people with disabilities and men.

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What subjects will I study?There are six subject areas on the course:

1. Fundamentals of health promotion

2. Communications

3. Health research

4. Health sciences

5. Health promotion in key settings and with key populations

6. Health promotion leadership

Sample modules in each subject area:

Subject area Sample Year 1 - 2 modules Sample Year 3 - 4 modules

1 Principles of Health Promotion Public Health

2 Practical Media Skills Communications and Marketing

3 Research Methods and Statistics Dissertation

4 Human Anatomy and Physiology Clinical Nutrition

5 Health Promotion in Key Settings Youth-at-Risk

6 Active Citizenship Social Personal and Health Ed

■ There is a particular emphasis on applied and practical skills in the course where students get hands on experience of how to plan, deliverand evaluate health promotion initiatives.

■ A 15 week placement in year 3 prepares students for placement in a variety of health promotion settings. Staff on the programme haveestablished links with a wide range of partners who facilitate our students on placement.

■ In year 2, students have the opportunity to volunteer in their local community through the module ‘Active Citizenship’. This givesrecognition to the volunteer experience students engage in. It also gives students the opportunity to develop their own interpersonal skillsand experience working within communities.

■ All students participate in Social Personal and Health Education during the course. These modules employ experiential methodology andstudents get the opportunity to explore areas such as their values, communication skills, and their contribution to the dynamics of thegroup. Students also learn to facilitate groups in these modules.

Career Opportunities ■ Youth health promotion worker

■ Community development officer

■ Working with voluntary or statutory agencies for older adults,disabled groups, young people, disadvantaged or marginalisedgroups

■ Health marketing and communications

■ Research and evaluation

■ Health promotion posts (e.g. physical activity, smoking cessation,older adult, men’s health, schools, workplaces) and in healthpromotion departments in the HSE

■ Activity co-ordinator in community hospitals/nursing homes

A World of Future Options■ Postgraduate study in allied health areas such as public health,

and nutrition, as well as occupational therapy, and physiotherapy

■ Postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Social Personal and HealthEducation at WIT

“There is a huge demand for health promotionprofessionals in Ireland (and the rest of theworld) today. WIT was one of the first colleges torecognise this and offer a course to meet thisdemand. I have no doubt that it was the rightchoice of course and college for me.”

Ann Brien, BA (Hons) in Health Promotion

Leaving CertificaterequirementsNumber of subjects at grade D or better: 6 Number of subjects at higher grade C or better: 2 English/Irish: OD3/HD3 Mathematics: OD3/HD3

2010 points: 305

2009 points: 320

How to ApplyYou apply through the CAO system at www.cao.ie

Non-standard and mature applicants are welcome

Contact DetailsCourse leader: Dr. Niamh MurphyTel: 051 302400Email: nmurphy@wit.ie

The Department of Health, Sport andExercise Science is delighted to bean official partner of the 2012 IrishParalympic Team.