Master of Public Health

Masters by Coursework

Discover how to assess the general health of communities, considering medical,
social and economic influences that impact wellbeing.

About the course

This multidisciplinary course is designed for those seeking to develop their skills and knowledge in public health. Whether you already work in public health or want to move into this field, our course can prepare you for contemporary public health practice that addresses traditional and emerging issues that threaten to negatively impact communities and the environment.

The Master of Public Health teaches students a range of conceptual knowledge and practical skills to support public health action across educational, organizational, socio-economic, environmental and political domains to improve population health. You will gain a thorough grounding in the major areas of public health with content scaffolded across the course to enhance your learning. In the second year, you will have the opportunity to carry out research with an academic supervisor or enhance your practice and leadership skills.

Course content is aligned to the competencies from the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia, exploring:

  • Health monitoring and surveillance
  • Disease prevention and control
  • Health promotion
  • Health protection
  • Health policy, planning and management
  • Evidence-informed professional population health practice.

Our Master of Public Health students come from a variety of fields, including medicine and allied health, biomedical and laboratory-based sciences, nutrition, occupational and environmental health, health promotion, social sciences, education, communications, business and management.

Note: It is possible to exit this course with a Graduate Certificate in Public Health or a Graduate Diploma in Public Health once you have completed certain units. Other certificates and diplomas may also be available in combination with this course.

Note: There is an optional fieldwork component in this course.

More info about the course

Study Method Full-time or Part-time
Study Mode On-Campus
Intake February or July
Duration 2 years

Course Approval Code and Validity: JPT/BPP(N/720/7/0125) 02/25

  • Apply research-based specialised knowledge including recent developments in public health together with applicable research principles and methods
  • Reflect critically on theoretical knowledge, public health scholarship, advocacy and professional practice
  • Investigate, analyse and synthesize complex information and problems that impact directly or indirectly on public health outcomes
  • Interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Evaluate the applicability of existing and emerging technologies for public health practice
  • Apply knowledge and skills to new situations in the course of public health practice leading to further learning
  • Critically evaluate the impact of environmental and geographical context, local institutions and culture on public health outcomes
  • Articulate, defend and apply a theoretical understanding of social justice implicit in public health practice
  • Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability when interacting with diverse individuals, communities and organisations as an advocate/champion of public health
  • A bachelor degree from a tertiary institution, preferably in health, education, behavioral sciences, social sciences or management.
  • English: IELTS (Academic) overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band (or equivalent English test)
Master of Public Health (By Coursework)

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1
• Global Public Health Challenges
• Epidemiology and Evidence
• Organisation of Health Care Systems
• Health Promotion Strategies and Methods

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2
• Politics and Power in Public Health (2.1)
• Public Health Protection and Control (2.2)
• Quantitative Methods (2.3)
• Qualitative Research in Public Health (2.4)

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 3
• Principles of Planning and Evaluation in Public Health (3.1)
• Health Economics (3.2)
• Optional unit*
• Optional unit

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 4
• Optional unit
• Public Health Leadership
• Public Health Capstone**

* Various options in health policy, environmental health, health promotion and occupational health and safety

**  a practice-based project unit working with industry. A Dissertation option is also available for high achieving students interested in a more in-depth research experience. This replaces the Public Health Capstone and Public Health Leadership units and one Optional unit.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

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