Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Deakin course code | H519 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | Up to 1 year of part-time study. The course is only available to students on a part-time basis. |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| 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
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Inclusive support for learning and participation
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
In Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health, you will develop the skills to understand and address the powerful forces shaping health. Examine how commercial, economic, political, social and environmental drivers influence health outcomes, inequalities and the wellbeing of communities and societies. Build a critical understanding of the structural drivers of health in Australia and globally, and learn to investigate them using policy analysis, business databases and government and United Nations data sources. You will also explore transformative approaches to policy, governance and systems change, equipping you with practical problem-solving and analytical skills to respond to complex health challenges.
Grounded in contemporary health issues, the course also draws on disciplines including law, economics, political science and sociology. You will learn from Deakin’s world-leading research expertise in the commercial and economic determinants of health and global health governance. This specialised course is relevant to professionals working across public health, government, policy, advocacy, ethical investment, sustainability and related sectors in Australia and internationally. Study online and part time over one year, building contemporary skills while continuing your career.
Indicative student workload
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
Career opportunities
Build specialist capability to examine and respond to the structural forces that shape health. The Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health can strengthen your contribution across public health, government, policy, health promotion, research, advocacy, ethical investment and finance, sustainability and not-for-profit settings.
Depending on your existing qualifications and experience, the skills gained may support career development in roles such as:
- policy analyst or adviser
- public health or health promotion practitioner
- research, advocacy or knowledge translation officer
- sustainability or ESG adviser
- environmental compliance specialist
- government or NGO project officer
You will graduate with skills in policy evaluation, data analysis and critical systems thinking that can help you contribute to evidence-informed policy, advocacy and interventions for healthier and more equitable communities.
Inclusive support for learning and participation
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, you can contact our Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) team for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply theories and concepts associated with the determinants of health and deploy key frameworks and methods relating to the social, political, commercial, economic and environmental drivers of health outcomes. |
| Develop high-level oral and written communication and report writing skills, and interpret health and socio-economic data for diverse audiences using appropriate frameworks, methods and visual tools. |
| Use digital technologies and data environments to construct, visualise and communicate data and analysis on the determinants of health. |
| Critically evaluate, synthesise and present a range of disciplinary approaches to the determinants of health and apply relevant theories and frameworks to interrogate the structural drivers of health outcomes at domestic and global levels. |
| Identify evidence-based solutions to complex health and social problems by applying critical analysis and evaluation skills, and communicate recommendations and policy pathways to diverse audiences. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, accountability, and critical reflection, with a commitment to ethical practice, continuous learning and solution-focused approaches to complex health and social issues. |
| Work collaboratively and inclusively with individuals and groups from diverse disciplines, backgrounds and contexts, using theories, evidence and methods to develop shared approaches to understanding and addressing the various determinants of health. |
| Engage ethically with key health issues facing diverse communities in Australia and internationally, applying interdisciplinary approaches to explore Indigenous, multicultural and decolonised perspectives on understanding and addressing complex global health and social challenges; and propose and communicate evidence-based solutions that improve human and planetary health. |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health, you must pass 4 credit points.
This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
Most units are equal to one credit point. All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSH758 | Theories, Concepts and Methods for the Determinants of Health |
| HSH759 | The Commercial and Economic Determinants of Health |
Trimester 2
| HSH771 | The Social and Political Determinants of Health |
| HSH772 | Transformative Approaches and Agendas for Change |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.