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MA\Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion

Overview

The APPLICATION Portal is now CLOSED for this course 2024/25
A Waiting List has been created. 
If you wish to be added to this Waiting List, please email Stacey or Mary Jo:

Email Ms. Stacey Gibbons (Admin Assistant) or Dr. Mary Jo Lavelle (Course Director) for more information

Early application for 2025/26 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 - 2025

The full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion offers a taught programme, delivered over two semesters.  Full-time students undertake four core modules and choose two optional modules.

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 
  • Research Methods 
  • Evidence Based Health Promotion Practice
    (with workplacement)
  • Determinants of Health 
  • Dissertation*(MA only)
  
  • Mental Health Promotion
  • Promoting Young People's Health in Educational Settings 
  • Promoting Healthy Behaviours
  • Promoting Health in the Workplace

 

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 Administrator: Ms. Stacey Gibbons

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