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.