Deakin’s Master of Public Health will help you develop an understanding of global public health challenges. You will learn strategies and practical techniques to take action on these challenges, prevent diseases and promote the conditions that optimise population health. Many students enrol in this program to progress in their current roles or to obtain senior positions. The course is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical health professionals, as well as graduates from a wide range of other fields who are looking for ‘bigger picture’ approaches to enhancing the health of individuals, communities and populations. Are you interested in developing health-promoting environments, identifying public health priorities, generating initiatives for policy and action, and developing interventions that ensure equity in the health system? Then Deakin’s MPH is for you.
The degree’s flexible structure (half core and half electives) allows you to tailor your degree to suit your own interests and career aspirations. You can choose your electives from the many units offered across one or more pathways to build your public health skill set.
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 classes, seminars, practicals 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.
Professional recognition
Not applicable
Career opportunities
Public Health practitioners work in international organisations such as the WHO, UNDP and UNICEF; the non-government sector (e.g. organisations focussed on cancer, tobacco, drugs, reproductive health, obesity, food security, violence, HIV); the government sector; local councils, and other diverse settings. The MPH also provides the opportunity to pursue a PhD and a career in academia.
Participation requirements
Elective units involving internships or collaborative research and work based training arrangements can occur at any time including during standard holiday breaks listed here
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. Please refer to the relevant unit guide.
Pathways
Pathways are offered in six areas:
applied research
health promotion
public health practice
health economics and management
environments for health
public health nutrition
Alternative Exit Points
There is an alternative exit point available from H757 Master of Public Health:
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities
Apply advanced and integrated 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
Demonstrate communication skills to justify theoretical propositions, issues and influences on public health in an effective and coherent manner to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Digital Literacy
Demonstrate digital literacies in public health practice and scholarship to interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Critical thinking
Critically evaluate a range of complex public health evidence, theory and solutions at an abstract level.
Problem Solving
Using appropriate analytical and research methods, develop and evaluate strategies to prevent disease and injury and protect and improve health.
Self-management
Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning in public health.
Teamwork
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.
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 Master of Public Health students must attain16 credit points.
The course comprises 8 core units (these are compulsory) and 8 elective units. Recognition of Prior Learning can be granted depending on previous studies and professional experience.
All core units will be offered in both campus and online (Cloud) mode
The majority of electives will be offered in both campus and online (Cloud) mode
Some units may be offered in block mode.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students must choose eight additional credit points of elective study from the Prescribed Elective list below. Elective credit points may be chosen from within or across the fields of study listed.
Any student wishing to undertake an elective not included in this prescribed list should seek approval from the course director.
Students interested in pursuing a research focus should undertake a Minor or Major Project in place of some of the prescribed electives. If undertaking a Minor Project (worth 2 credit points) students complete HSH731, HSH732 and 6 prescribed electives from the list below
If undertaking a Major Project (worth 4 credit points) students complete HSH733, HSH734 and 4 prescribed electives from the list below.
Many units incorporate work-integrated learning activities Internships and collaborative research and work based training arrangements are also available for eligible students with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70+. Limited places are allocated based on academic merit.
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
