Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion |
| Deakin course code | H615 |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Course version | 4 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2024 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 018317J 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Develop the skills to design, deliver and evaluate health promotion initiatives with Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion. Build capability in program planning, communication and evaluation to address the underlying causes of poor health and drive positive change through prevention.
You will gain a strong understanding of how social, environmental and behavioural factors influence health, while developing the ability to apply evidence in professional contexts. Study areas include health communication, program planning, evaluation and health equity, giving you the skills to design initiatives that support healthier communities. Ranked #36 in the world for public health, Deakin offers a supportive learning environment to help you build skills that can be applied across a range of health and community settings, from local programs to broader population health initiatives and roles across government, community and not-for-profit sectors.
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, practicals and on-line 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.
Professional recognition
Graduates in this course should be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) and the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE).
Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the relevant professional body retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
Career opportunities
Health sector is Australia’s largest and fastest-growing sector. On top of that, modern health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity, diabetes, mental health and an ageing population have increased the demand for skilled health promotion practitioners who are able to address health issues through prevention.
With a Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion you can take advantage of this demand. Health promotion practitioners are employed locally and globally in all levels of government, a variety of health services, schools, private business and non-government and community organisations, such as the National Heart Foundation, Asthma Foundation and The Cancer Council. Some of the areas you could be working in include:
- community development
- social planning and activities
- health education
- program development and evaluation
- youth services
- aged and disability services
- policy development.
Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) and the International Union of Health Promotion and Education.
Note: information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the time of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course and the relevant professional body retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Pathways
Students completing the Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion can articulate into a higher award, the Master of Health Promotion (H759)
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Health Promotion (H515) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply a critical and advanced knowledge in the area of health promotion that includes: theories of behaviour change, inequalities and inequities in health including the concept of the social gradient and relevance to practice, the action areas for health promotion, as well as the determinants of health. the behavioural and socio-environmental models of health and their relevance to health promotion practice in general and needs assessment in particular. stages of program planning, implementation, evaluation and sustainability. |
| Communicate on health promotion issues in an effective and coherent manner and mindful of the target audience. Articulate the various ways in which health promotion practice is influenced, such as, ethnicity and Indigenous status, age, gender, society, culture, geography, the environment and socio-economic status. |
| Demonstrate understanding of current technologies and digital literacies applicable to health promotion. Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate both technical and non-technical information. |
| Demonstrate critical thinking in evaluating solutions to health promotion problems. Access and critically analyse information drawn from a variety of sources. Critically reflect on the impact of inequalities and social disadvantage on the health of individuals and communities. |
| Apply theoretical constructs and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative health promotion solutions with creativity. Analyse and develop strategies to promote health. Assess the health status of communities and evaluate intervention processes and outcomes using appropriate analytical and research methods. |
| Apply knowledge and skills in creative ways to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of health promotion with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. Reflect upon and critique skills developed and plan for their own future continuing professional development. |
| Apply teamwork, leadership and management skills and principles to work effectively in a team environment and with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Apply the highest ethical standards in the development, design, construction and management of health promotion programs and activities. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course elective units chosen from:
- 1 credit point of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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) |
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH704 | Health Communication |
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research |
Plus one elective credit point
Trimester 2
| HSH705 | Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
Plus
1 credit point of course elective unit chosen from:
| HSH725 | Research Literacy |
| HSH753 | Research Methods in Health and Social Development * |
*Students wishing to continue their studies into the Master of Health Promotion and complete a minor or major project option are recommended to complete course elective unit HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development.
Electives
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH712 | Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs |
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH747 | Biostatistics 2 |
| HSH756 | Introduction to Systems Thinking |
| HSH757 | Systems Thinking for Health and Social Transformation |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development (requires application and interview) |
| HSH769 | Leading Systems Change |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine |
| HSN701 | Principles of Nutrition |
| HSN702 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN706 | Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
Work experience
Students will undertake work integrated assessment tasks in several core and elective units.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.