The Master of Public Health is a 54-unit coursework program which is offered by the College of Medicine and Public Health.
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 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 Dean (Education) 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
Students undertake 54 units, comprising core and option topics, according to one of the following pathways.
Pathway 1 (Coursework)
Core - Year 1 & 2 topics
31.5 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)
PHCA9509 Public Health Practice Development (9 units)
Option - Year 1 & 2 topics
plus 22.5 units selected from*:
MMED9103 Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health (4.5 Units)
MMED9104 Introduction to Epidemiology for Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9502A Qualitative Research Methods - Part A (4.5 units)
PHCA9502B Qualitative Research Methods - Part B (4.5 units)
PHCA9505 Primary Health Care Practice in Developing Countries (9 units)
PHCA9506 Program Planning and Evaluation in Public Health (9 units)
PHCA9507 Health Promotion in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9510 Leadership and the New Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9511A Social Statistics in Public Health - Part A (4.5 units)
PHCA9511B Social Statistics in Public Health - Part B (4.5 units)
PHCA9516 Introduction to Cancer Prevention (4.5 units)
PHCA9518 Food Democracy for Public Health Practice (4.5 units)
*Students may, in consultation with the Course Coodinator, select alternative option topics for up to 9 units of study.
Pathway 2 (Coursework and Research)
Core - Year 1 & 2 topics
22.5 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)
plus either*:
PHCA9502A Qualitative Research Methods - Part A (4.5 units) AND
PHCA9502B Qualitative Research Methods - Part B (4.5 units)
OR
PHCA9511A Social Statistics in Public Health - Part A (4.5 units) AND
PHCA9511B Social Statistics in Public Health - Part B (4.5 units)
*Students intending to undertake a dissertation primarily using qualitative methods should complete PHCS9502A and PHCA9502B.
*Students intending to undertake a dissertation primarily using quantitative methods should complete PHCS9511A and PHCA9511B.
plus 18 units selected from the following topics:
PHCA9512 Public Health Research Dissertation (18 units)
PHCA9512A Public Health Research Dissertation (9/18 units)
PHCA9512B Public Health Research Dissertation (9/18 units)
Option - Year 1 & 2 topics
plus 4.5 units selected from*:
MMED9103 Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health (4.5 Units)
MMED9104 Introduction to Epidemiology for Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9502A Qualitative Research Methods - Part A (4.5 units)
PHCA9507 Health Promotion in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9510 Leadership and the New Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9511A Social Statistics in Public Health - Part A (4.5 units)
PHCA9516 Introduction to Cancer Prevention (4.5 units)
PHCA9518 Food Democracy for Public Health Practice (4.5 units)
*Students may, in consultation with the Course Coodinator, select alternative option topics for up to 4.5 units of study.
