Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Master of Public Health

(MPH)

Credit
Program of Study

NOTE: THE MASTER OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE HAS BECOME A STREAM OF MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

INTRODUCTION

The Master Public Health is a 54-unit coursework program which is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificates offered within the Department of Public Health, and the Graduate Diploma in Primary Health Care; and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the awards.

Students who hold the graduate certificate or graduate diploma receive credit for topics already taken.

The course comprises five streams:

• Stream A - Primary Health Care
• Stream B - Public Health
• Stream C - Public Health Research
• Stream D - Health Service Management
• Stream E - Public Health Nutrition

COURSE AIMS

The Master of Public Health aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to incorporate into their own workplaces the public health principles, values and practices that reduce inequities in health care access and health outcomes and improve population health status.

In the Master of Public Health program, students will develop a range of advanced analytical, organisation and communication skills including increased capacity to understand and act on the following areas:

• the social determinants of health and well-being;
• principles for an equitable provision of health care;
• models of health, health promotion and health care services;
• research and evaluation to plan more effective health policies and programs;
• ways to improve the conditions that determine health; and
• working as an effective member of a team.

• analyse theoretical concepts relevant to the determinants of health and well-being;
• critique evidence relevant to public health, including literature from social, economic, environmental and political dimensions;
• apply models of effective practice to a range of real world and workplace problems;
• demonstrate proficiency in developing, planning, managing and evaluating primary health care and public health approaches to health problems;
• demonstrate an understanding of the use of research methods relevant to primary health care and public health;
• present and communicate knowledge and concepts of primary health care and public health; and
• appreciate the benefits of multi-disciplinary approaches in health and human services to promoting and improving health.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must normally:

• hold a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma offered by the Department of Public Health; or
• hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and have not less than two years' approved work experience in public health or a related area; or
• hold qualifications deemed equivalent by the Faculty Board and have not less than two years' approved work experience in public health or a related area.

Candidates are required to provide a short statement outlining their work experience and reasons for undertaking the course.

CREDIT TRANSFER / ARTICULATION

Students who have completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma offered by the Department of Public Health or other qualification deemed equivalent will receive credit. At the discretion of the Course Coordinator, credit may also be given to students who have completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a related field from another university.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [April, 2008]

To qualify for the Master of Public Health, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board, the program must be completed full-time within four consecutive semesters or part-time within ten consecutive semesters. A lesser period may be set for students granted credit for previous studies.

STREAM A - PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Students must study the following core topics:

PHCA8001	Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing	6
PHCA8007	Research Methods for Social Epidemiology	6
PHCA8008	Public Health: Frameworks for Change	6
PHCA8918	Health Promotion: Integrating into Practice	6
PHCA8924	Public Health: Practice Development	12
PHCA8925	Leadership and the New Public Health	6
	Plus 2 electives	12

STREAM B - PUBLIC HEALTH

Students must study the following core topics:

PHCA8001	Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing	6
PHCA8007	Research Methods for Social Epidemiology	6
PHCA8008	Public Health: Frameworks for Change	6
PHCA8924	Public Health: Practice Development	12
PHCA8927	Social Statistics for Public Health	6
	Plus 3 electives	18

STREAM C - PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

Students must study the following core topics:

PHCA8001	Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing	6
PHCA8007	Research Methods for Social Epidemiology	6
PHCA8008	Public Health: Frameworks for Change	6
PHCA8927	Social Statistics for Public Health, OR	6
PHCA8006	Qualitative Research Methods	6
PHCA8928	Public Health Research Dissertation	18
	Plus 2 electives	12

STREAM D - HEALTH SERVICE MANAGEMENT

Students must study the following core topics:

HSMT9010	Health Services Law	6
HSMT9012	Managing People and Organisations in Health and Aged Care	6
HSMT9013	Health Care Financial Management	6
PHCA8001	Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing	6
PHCA8007	Research Methods for Social Epidemiology	6
PHCA8924	Public Health: Practice Development	12
	Plus 2 electives	12

STREAM E - PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION

Students must study the following core topics:

NUTDxxxx	Public Health Nutrition	6
PHCA8001	Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing	6
PHCA8007	Research Methods for Social Epidemiology	6
PHCA8008	Public Health: Frameworks for Change	6
PHCA8919	Food Policy for Public Health Practice	6
PHCA8924	Public Health: Practice Development	12
	Plus 2 electives	12

ELECTIVE TOPICS FOR FIVE STREAMS IN MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

PHCA8005	Designing Questionnaires and Surveys	6
PHCA8006	Qualitative Research Methods	6
PHCA8313	Social Determinants of Indigenous Health	6
PHCA8904	Public Health in Developing Countries	6
PHCA8917	Evaluation in Public Health	6
PHCA8919	Food Policy for Public Health Practice	6
PHCA8922	Childhood and Public Health	6
PHCA8929	Program Planning and Design for International Health Projects in Developing Countries	6

Students can also take as electives those topics that are core in other study streams or, with permission, topics from another course at Flinders or another university.

The award of grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University Policy on Student Progress.