The Master of Public Health (Primary Health Care) is a 54-unit coursework program which is offered by The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificates offered within the Discipline of Public Health and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the awards.

Students who hold the Graduate Certificate receive credit for topics already taken.

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally:

  • hold a Graduate Certificate offered by the Discipline of Public Health, or
  • hold an approved degree in a related field or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.

The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The Master of Public Health aims to provide students with the ability to apply knowledge and skills in relation to public health principles, values and practices that reduce inequity in health care access and health outcomes, and improve population health status.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills:

  • in critical analysis of evidence, complex theories, problems, and concepts regarding social, economic, environmental, and political determinants of health
  • in developing, planning, and evaluating public health approaches to health problems
  • in critiquing and applying contemporary public health approaches in work-related environments and practice
  • of research principles, methodologies, and methods applicable to public health theory, policy and practice
  • in creativity and innovation in transferring knowledge to practice
  • in effective communication in the workplace and university context

apply an advanced level of knowledge and skills:

  • to recognise their own strengths, limitations, and learning style
  • in showing initiative and creativity in practice
  • to take responsibility, and to advocate for and empower others
  • in critical analysis of evidence and theories regarding determinants of health, planning and evaluating public health approaches, work-related environments; and undertaking public health research activities.

Program of study

To qualify for The Master of Public Health (Primary Health Care), 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.

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

40.5 units comprising:

PHCA9501  Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing  (4.5 units)
PHCA9514  Action on Social Determinants of Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9503  Research Methods for Social Epidemiology  (9 units)
PHCA9504  Critical Practice in Indigenous Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9507  Health Promotion in Public Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9509  Public Health Practice Development  (9 units)
PHCA9510  Leadership and the New Public Health  (4.5 units)

plus 13.5 units of option topics to be selected from the list below

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

PHCA9502  Qualitative Research Methods (9 units)
PHCA9505  Primary Health Care Practice in Developing Countries (9 units)
PHCA9506  Program Planning and Evaluation in Public Health (9 units)
PHCA9511  Social Statistics in Public Health (9 units)
PHCA9516  Introduction to Cancer Prevention (4.5 units)
PHCA9517  Undertaking Translational Research in Cancer Prevention  (4.5 units)
PHCA9518  Food Democracy for Public Health Practice (4.5 units)
HACM9100  Leadership in Health and Aged Care (4.5 units)
HACM9101  Leading Organisations in Health and Aged Care   (4.5 units)
HACM9102  Financial Management and Economics in Health Care  (4.5 units)
HACM9201  Health Law and Ethics (4.5 units)
HACM9204  Health Economics (4.5 units)
NUTD9226  Public Health and Community Nutrition (4.5 units)
MHSC8111  Managing Chronic Conditions - Self-Management Support Approaches  (4.5 units)
MHSC8112  Implementing Change in Healthcare Systems Supporting Chronic Condition Management (4.5 units)
MHSC8114  The Persons Experience of Self Management (4.5 units)

Another option topic(s) may be selected with the approval of the Course Co-ordinator.

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.