Graduate Certificate of Public Health
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Public Health |
| Deakin course code | H547 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| 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 2025 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
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
From tackling the spread of infectious disease, to shaping preventive health programs, public health professionals play an important role in our healthcare system. Take your first steps towards a leading role in this field with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Public Health. You’ll build vital skills in public health practice, epidemiology, and biostatistics, preparing you for the dynamic scenarios that you will face when working in the field.
Are you ready to lead public health strategy and policy development?
The Graduate Certificate of Public Health will equip you with the knowledge to respond to and prevent health issues at a big-picture level. You’ll be exposed to the latest research and industry evidence, empowering you to lead policy change and public health interventions. As a graduate, you will demonstrate advanced problem solving, analytical, and collaboration skills, enabling you to become a high-performing member of a public health team.
The Graduate Certificate of Public Health is ideal for clinical and non-clinical professionals, as well as graduates from other fields who are passionate about improving societal health. You will learn about the strategies and practical techniques employed by public health professionals, with a particular focus on preventative measures and health equity. This course enables you to:
- explore how different theories and disciplinary perspectives have informed public health principles and practices.
- understand the role of epidemiology in public health, by exploring study designs, tools, methods, as well as the latest research findings in the field.
- apply biostatistical techniques to health-related data, by exploring the philosophical basis of statistical thought, examining fundamental statistical concepts and methods, as well as exploring their application in a variety of health settings.
Your learning will be shaped by Deakin’s leading public health research, which is rated as well above world standard^. You’ll have direct access to research produced by the Institute for Health Transformation, which is led by internationally recognised researchers. Close links with cutting-edge research will allow you to gain critical insights for your current role and throughout your career.
You have the option to study on-campus, or through our innovative online learning platform. The flexible online option allows you to study when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support. You will receive personalised support from teaching staff who will guide you through class discussions and seminars, preparing you for a career in public health.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will also have the option to further your skills by continuing on to the Graduate Diploma of Public Health, or the Master of Public Health.
^ Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 2018
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, workshops, and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
The course requires a part-time commitment, with a substantive load of learning activities and study time. Although the course is designed for working health professionals, students will on average spend 150 hours per unit credit point over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities.
Professional recognition
All students will receive a two-year membership to the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) while studying.
Career opportunities
The healthcare and social assistance sector is Australia’s largest and fastest growing sector, with 301,000 new jobs projected to be created by November 2026*. The Graduate Certificate of Public Health will prepare you to meet this demand and you will be in a strong position to pursue roles in:
- global organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- advocacy roles within organisations focused on cancer, tobacco, drugs, reproductive health, environmental health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV.
- population health and screening
- federal, state, and local government health departments.
The course can also be used as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Public Health, or the Master of Public Health. Continue your studies to develop more advanced skills, build industry experience and grow your professional network.
*2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026. Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia
Participation requirements
See individual unit descriptions for full details.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
Pathways
Students will be eligible to apply for credit for this course.
Students completing the Graduate Certificate of Public Health can articulate into a higher award, the Master of Public Health (H757)
Graduates of the course may also be eligible for RPL (Recognition of prior learning) into the following courses:
Master of Health Promotion (H759)
Master of Health Economics (H704)
Master of Health Management (H756)
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply knowledge of public health theory, policy, surveillance, disease control and prevention, research principles, and recent public health developments in Australia and globally to practice and scholarship. |
| Communication | Communicate public health evidence, issues and solutions in an effective and coherent manner to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Demonstrate digital literacies in public health practice and scholarship to locate, interpret and transmit knowledge, data and ideas. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate public health evidence, theory and solutions. |
| Problem solving | Use appropriate analytical and research methods to identify and interpret public health problems and propose appropriate solutions to prevent disease and injury and protect and improve health. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability applicable to public health professional practice. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate and communicate effectively with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Global citizenship | Apply ethically appropriate research and practice skills to the appraisal of public health related issues and generate appropriate and culturally sensitive responses. |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Public Health students must pass 4 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
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course electives
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.
Note:
- This course is part-time only.
Course structure
Core units
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
Plus one elective unit from the following list:
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH770 | Health Protection |
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
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.