The Master of Public Health is a 54-unit coursework program which is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Students undertake one of eight specialised streams of study.

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

For the Master of Public Health (Public Health Epidemiology) 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 improves 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 (Public Health Epidemiology), 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.

In order to proceed to the Dissertation component of the award, students must demonstrate a Credit grade point average or better for the 36 units of coursework topics completed prior  to commencing the Dissertation. Students who are not able to demonstrate a Credit grade point average will be required to transfer to another stream of the Master of Public Health which does not contain a Dissertation component, or may choose to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Public Health.

Pathway One: Dissertation

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

36 units comprising:

PHCA9501  Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing (4.5 units)
PHCA9514  Action on the Social Determinants of Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9503  Research Methods for Social Epidemiology (9 units)
MMED9103  Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health (4.5 Units)
MMED9104  Introduction to Epidemiology for Public Health (4.5 units)

plus one of

PHCA9502  Qualitative Research Methods (9 units)
PHCA9511  Social Statistics in Public Health (9 units)

And

Select 18 units from the topics listed below

PHCA9512  Public Health Research Dissertation (18 units)
PHCA9512A  Public Health Research Dissertation (9/18 units)
PHCA9512B  Public Health Research Dissertation (9/18 units)

Pathway Two: Coursework

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

36 units comprising:

PHCA9501  Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing (4.5 units)
PHCA9514  Action on the Social Determinants of Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9503  Research Methods for Social Epidemiology (9 units)
PHCA9509  Public Health Practice Development (9 units)
MMED9103  Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health (4.5 Units)
MMED9104  Introduction to Epidemiology for Public Health (4.5 units)

And select 18 units from the topics listed below

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

Select 18 units from the topics listed below

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)

Students can also take as options, core topics 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''s Policy on Student Progress.