The Master of Public Health is a 54-unit coursework program which is offered by the College of Medicine and Public Health. 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 Master of Public Health streams other than Health Services Management 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.

For the Master of Public Health (Health Services Management) applicants must normally

  • hold an approved degree in a related field or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and have not less than four years' professional experience in the health sector following completion of the degree or equivalent qualification; or
  • hold either the Graduate Certificate in Health Administration, Graduate Certificate in Public Health, Graduate Diploma in Health Administration or equivalent and have not less than four years' professional experience in the health sector.

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 in relation to one of the following specialised areas:

• Primary Health Care
• Public Health
• Public Health Research
• Public Health Nutrition
• Health Services Management
• Chronic Condition Management
• Cancer Prevention
• Public Health Epidemiology

 

Program of study 

Students undertake 54 units, comprising core and option topics, in one of the following streams. 

Streams