Master of Public Health [1.5 years]

This is a 54-unit coursework program 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 one of these Graduate Certificates receive credit for topics already taken. 

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally have completed:

• a Bachelor degree in a health-related field or
• a Bachelor degree and no less than two-years work experience in a public health-related field

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 will receive a maximum of 18 units credit for topics already undertaken in the Flinders University Graduate Certificate courses listed above and may be eligible to complete the Masters award with 36 units of additional study.  

Stream 1 (Coursework)

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

36 units comprising:

PHCA9501  Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing (4.5 units)
PHCA9502A  Qualitative Research Methods - Part A  (4.5 units)
PHCA9504  First Nations Health and Wellbeing  (4.5 units)
PHCA9507  Health Promotion in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9509  Public Health Practice Development  (9 units)
PHCA9522  Introduction to Epidemiological Research Methods (4.5 units)
PHCA9523  Introductory Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

plus 18 units selected from*:

ENVH9712  Environmental Health Policy, Management and Administration  (4.5 units)
HACM9200  Health and Aged Care Systems and Policy  (4.5 units)
HACM9201  Health Law and Ethics  (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 Person's Experience of Self-Management  (4.5 units)
MMED9104  Advanced Epidemiology  (4.5 units)
NURS9124 Advanced Thinking, Communicating and Problem Solving for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
NUTD9226  Public Health and Community Nutrition  (4.5 units)
PHCA9502B  Qualitative Research Methods - Part B (4.5 units)
PHCA9503  Research Methods in Public Health  (9 units)
PHCA9505  Primary Health Care in Developing Countries  (9 units)
PHCA9506  Program Planning and Evaluation in Public Health  (9 units)
PHCA9510  Leadership and the New Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9514  Professional Practice in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9519 Economic Evidence for Health Care Decision Making (4.5 units)
PHCA9520  Epidemiology for Practice  (4.5 units)
PHCA9521 Critical Perspectives on Global Health and Development (4.5 units)
PHCA9524  Advanced Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

*Students may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select alternative option topics for up to 9 units of study.

Stream 2 (Coursework with Research component)

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

27 units comprising:

PHCA9501  Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing (4.5 units)
PHCA9502A  Qualitative Research Methods - Part A  (4.5 units)
PHCA9504  First Nations Health and Wellbeing  (4.5 units)
PHCA9507  Health Promotion in Public Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9522  Introduction to Epidemiological Methods  (4.5 units)
PHCA9523  Introductory Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

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 9 units selected from*:

ENVH9712  Environmental Health Policy, Management and Administration  (4.5 units)
HACM9200  Health and Aged Care Systems and Policy  (4.5 units)
HACM9201  Health Law and Ethics  (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 Person's Experience of Self-Management  (4.5 units)
MMED9104  Advanced Epidemiology  (4.5 units)
NURS9124 Advanced Thinking, Communicating and Problem Solving for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
NUTD9226  Public Health and Community Nutrition  (4.5 units)
PHCA9502B  Qualitative Research Methods - Part B (4.5 units)
PHCA9503  Research Methods in Public Health  (9 units)
PHCA9505  Primary Health Care in Developing Countries  (9 units)
PHCA9506  Program Planning and Evaluation in Public Health  (9 units)
PHCA9510  Leadership and the New Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9514  Professional Practice in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9519 Economic Evidence for Health Care Decision Making (4.5 units)
PHCA9520  Epidemiology for Practice  (4.5 units)
PHCA9521 Critical Perspectives on Global Health and Development (4.5 units)
PHCA9524  Advanced Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

*Students may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select alternative option topics for up to 4.5 units of study.