Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion (Honours)

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion (Honours)
Deakin course code	H412
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	Yes
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Semester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	069124G Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Boost your understanding of health through a specialised year of study to bring together the theory and practical skills gained in your undergraduate studies. The Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion honours year will see you work within a specific area of expertise, sharpen your research skills and graduate with a competitive edge in the fast-growing global health job market.

Want to conduct in-depth research and further your career in the global health industry?

Expand on your general understanding of health, and the factors that contribute to community and population health by delving deeper into a research area of your choice. Undertaking this honours year offers you a specialised year of study, combining the theory and practical skills from your undergraduate degree or previous work experience to conduct in-depth research into a topic of your choice.

Alongside engaging coursework, you will hone your passion in the field of health, working closely with a supervisor to delve deep into an original research project to sharpen your expertise.

You will gain a deep understanding of the philosophies, ethics and principles of research and explore a range of research approaches and how they can best contribute to positively influencing public health.

As well as this, you will have the chance to equip yourself with extra skills to ensure you graduate career ready, such as communication, data management and the planning, implementing and reporting of research studies.

With a variety of public health issues affecting healthcare systems globally, job growth in the sector is increasing. There are career opportunities in government and private sector roles across Australia and internationally. You will be qualified for work in areas such as health promotion and education, policy and planning and research.

The research experience and knowledge that you will gain in this honours year also acts as a pathway to undertaking a masters or doctoral research program.

Indicative student workload

You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your honours degree.

Professional recognition

Graduates from the Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion may be eligible to become members of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA).

Career opportunities

Job growth in the health sector continues to increase as public health issues such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles and ageing populations affect healthcare systems globally.

Career opportunities in government and private sector roles across Australia and internationally include:

community development coordinator
health policy developer
health promotion officer
health researcher
program development coordinator
program evaluator
social planning officer
women's health officer.

You may find employment in a diverse range of areas, including:

chronic illness (such as asthma, arthritis, heart disease)
healthy eating
mental health
physical activity
social inclusion
women’s health.

Participation requirements

There is a minimum of four compulsory sessions, which will be delivered online via Blackboard Collaborate although more sessions are offered to help students in their Honours year.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.

Honours

For detailed information, particularly with respect to the selection of areas of study and availability of appropriate supervision, students should consult the School of Health and Social Development Honours page.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion knowledge to formulate a testable research question; develop a conceptual framework and select the appropriate methodological procedures for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and disseminate research findings.
Communication	Communicate, defend and discuss all elements of the research project in the chosen field of study via oral and written means to a variety of audiences.
Digital literacy	Select and use appropriate technologies to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate relevant information to a variety of audiences.
Critical thinking	Critically evaluate and synthesise the literature in the chosen field of study; and interpret research findings in the context of the literature in the chosen field of study.
Problem solving	Select and apply appropriate methodological principles and analytical techniques to answer a research question within the context of Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion; and troubleshoot solutions to resolve complex problems associated with the research study.
Self-management	Produce a realistic timeline for the research project and demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning as a researcher within Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion.
Teamwork	Collaborate and work effectively with specialists, peers, academics and others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.
Global citizenship	Engage in ethical and professional research practice whilst maintaining confidentiality and respecting cultural sensitivities.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion (Honours) students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
8 credit points of core units
- including 4 credit points of an independent research project

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Course structure

Core units

Semester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HBS400

Research Methods

HSH401

Developing Research Skills

Semester 2

HSH402

Honours Research Project

Work experience

Due to the nature of Honours, students may have supervisors who are based in industry, which gives them a chance for work integrated learning. Even for students whose supervisors are based at Deakin, the form of work integrated learning takes the form of a research internship. In terms of data collection, this can involve interviews, focus groups or surveys, which may happen in the context of health and other services in which the students will be exposed to professional staff and associates carrying out their duties.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

All 8 credit points of the course are comprised of research-related study (2 x 2 credit point units) or research (1 x 4 credit point unit). 100% of the course’s research and research-related study is specifically assessed.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.