Overview

The APPLICATION Portal is OPEN for this course 2024/25

Click Here to Apply 

For more information about this course, please email Ms. Stacey Gibbons (Administrative Assistant)
or Dr. Mary Jo Lavelle (Course Director) 

 

Early application for 2024/25 is advised 

The MA/Postgraduate Diploma programme is an internationally recognised qualification with the course content informed by the agreed competencies and professional standards for health promotion in Europe. Graduates of the programme work in statutory (eg HSE), voluntary (e.g., Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Cancer Society) and academic positions (e.g., NUI Galway, Sligo IT, Athlone IT) in a number of roles including dedicated Health Promotion Specialist posts. Graduates are employed in Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada and USA.  

Some graduates have gone onto further study (Further information on the PhD in Health Promotion is available by clicking here). 

About the Programme: 

Health Promotion Programmes 2024-25

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion offers a taught programme of eight modules, delivered over two semesters to full-time students and over four semesters to part-time students. The MA course incorporates the taught component of the Postgraduate Diploma programme together with a minor dissertation based on original research, which is undertaken over the summer months with a submission date in late August.

The MA in Health Promotion programme is an accredited International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) European Health Promotion Course (EuHP).   
IUHPE EuHP Accredited Logo

Aims and Objectives

The programme aims to provide students with professional education and training in the principles and practice of health promotion. Students will acquire knowledge and skills in the following:

  • Theoretical background to the concepts and principles of health promotion and the application of theory to practice
  • Determinants of physical, mental and social well-being
  • Key factors influencing the promotion of positive health
  • Application of a range of different health promotion approaches and strategies across diverse population groups, topics and settings
  • Critical role of the research process and its application in the development of knowledge and best practice in health promotion

Course Content

The taught modular programme comprises four core and six optional modules. Students must complete eight modules in total, four core and four optional, from a choice of six. In addition, full time students undertake a workplacement.

Modules include:

 Core Modules Optional Modules
 
  • Foundations of Health Promotion (HP846)
  • Research Methods (HP832)
  • Health Promotion Practice (HP847)
  • Determinants of Health (HP848)
 
  • Promoting Healthy Behaviours (HP849)
  • Promoting Mental Health and Social Wellbeing (HP850)
  • Re-orienting Health Services (HP852)
  • Supportive Environments for Health (HP853)
  • Evaluation of Health Promotion Programmes (HP150)
  • European Dimension (HP845)

 

Programme Delivery

The programme uses a wide variety of delivery approaches including: lectures, small group teaching, group work and problem based learning, together with a work placement. MA Students are supported through the minor dissertation by a named supervisor who is a member of academic staff.

Further Information

Further information is available from the University of Galway postgraduate prospectus, 
or by contacting the Course Director or Administrator:

Course Director: Dr. Mary Jo Lavelle
Course Administrative Assistant: Ms. Stacey Gibbons

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