Master of Public Health
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Public Health |
| Course Map | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023: These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023: These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023: Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 1 - 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, depending on your recognition for prior learning. |
| CRICOS course code | 020018B Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | H757 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
Course overview
The Master of Public Health is about protecting and improving health. It prepares you to solve global health issues through evidence-based initiatives. Focus on one of eight career pathways or create your own bespoke pathway to suit your aspirations. Build skills and professional networks that open the door to exciting opportunities and leadership roles in the field.
How far can a postgraduate degree in public health take your career?
If you want to become a leading voice in public health, this course will give you the tools to make it happen. You’ll have the opportunity to become an expert in a specific area of public health, and the practical skills you learn will empower you to make an impact on an even larger scale. The course is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical health professionals. It’s also a great fit for graduates from other fields who are passionate about improving the health of individuals, communities and populations.
The Master of Public Health focuses on evidence-based action that drives positive change across health systems. You will use the latest research to form strategies that tackle global health issues and then bring your ideas to life by creating initiatives for policy change and interventions. Your initiatives could be related to various public health fields, including epidemiology, focussing on disease control and prevention. You will look at issues from a big-picture angle and promote the conditions that optimise population health.
Tailor your degree by choosing electives from eight fields of study:
- public health practice
- health promotion
- epidemiology
- health economics and management
- applied research
- public health nutrition
- humanitarian assistance
- disability and inclusion.
By narrowing in on a field of interest, not only do you get to learn more about what you’re passionate about, the expertise you develop creates a pathway between where you are now and your dream role.
Much of what you learn is shaped by Deakin’s world-class health research. You’ll have direct access to the research produced by the Institute for Health Transformation which is led by internationally recognised researchers. This research doesn’t just help you when you’re studying and solving case studies – it’s incredibly valuable knowledge that you’ll carry with you throughout your entire career.
The Master of Public Health can be completed on campus or online, a popular choice for students who are working in the health or other industries while studying. Use our premium online learning platform to fit your degree around your life and achieve your career goals on your schedule.
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 will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Details for individual units are available in the course structure.
Professional recognition
All students will receive a two-year membership to the Public Health Association of Australia while studying. This will provide invaluable access to events, journals, publications, special interest groups, job opportunities and mentors.
Career opportunities
The health industry is the largest and fastest-growing employment industry in Australia*. A postgraduate degree in public health puts you in a position to take advantage of this demand. Graduates can broaden their career options and use their leadership skills to progress to senior positions.
Public health practitioners can work in international organisations such as:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
As well as:
- the non-government sector (for example, organisations focused on cancer, tobacco, drugs, reproductive health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV)
- the government sector and federal or state level
- local councils.
Some common public health jobs include:
- Epidemiologist
- Community health worker
- Disease and infection investigator
- Environmental health specialist
- Global health professional
- Occupational health and safety specialist
- Urban planner
- Health educator
- Emergency preparedness and response coordinator
- Public health policy coordinator
- Research analyst
- Public health physician
Visit the Public Health Association of Australia website for more
The Master of Public Health also provides pathways to pursue a PhD and a career in academia.
* Australian Government National Skills Commission Industry Employment Outlook 2021
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 eight areas:
- public health practice
- health promotion
- epidemiology
- health economics and management
- applied research
- public health nutrition
- humanitarian assistance
- disability and inclusion
Alternative Exit Points
There are two alternative exit points available from H757 Master of Public Health:
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and 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.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our 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 attain 16 credit points.
The course comprises 8 core units (these are compulsory) and 8 course 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 mode
The majority of course electives will be offered in both campus and online mode.
Other electives outside the list of course electives below may be approved on an individual basis. Course Director approval is required.
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 are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
All students must complete the following core units and one zero credit point unit:
| HAI010 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH725 | Research Literacy |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH769 | Comparative Health Systems |
Course Electives by Field of Study
Students must also choose 8 electives. These may be chosen from within or across the fields of study listed.
Students interested in pursuing a research focus should undertake a Minor or Major Project in place of some of these course electives.
Public Health Practice
| HSH712 | Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs |
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| HSH747 | Biostatistics 2 |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine |
| HSH754 | Epidemiology 2 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development |
HSH770 Health Protection is available from Trimester 2 2024
Health Promotion
| HSH704 | Health Communication |
| HSH705 | Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning |
| HSH712 | Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs |
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development * |
* Limited places in this unit are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Epidemiology
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH754 | Epidemiology 2 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH747 | Biostatistics 2 |
Health Economics and Management
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| HSH747 | Biostatistics 2 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH761 | Health Technology Assessment 1 |
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| MPE781 | Economics for Managers |
| MMM710 | Emerging Issues in International Operations |
Applied Research
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| HSH747 | Biostatistics 2 |
| HSH754 | Epidemiology 2 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
Public Health Nutrition
| HSN701 | Principles of Nutrition |
| HSN702 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN705 | Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN706 | Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN708 | Nutrition Promotion |
| HSN713 | Food, Nutrition and Behaviour |
| HSN714 | Systems Thinking in Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN734 | Obesity Prevention |
| HSN738 | International Nutrition |
Humanitarian Assistance
| AHL701 | The Humanitarian World |
| AHA716 | Humanitarian Settlement |
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector |
| AHA722 | Applied Humanitarian Assistance: From Theory to Practice |
| AHA724 | Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Humanitarian Contexts |
Disability and Inclusion
| HDS730 | Disability and Inclusion: Contemporary Theory and Lived Experience |
| HDS731 | Planning for Inclusion Across the Life Course |
| HDS732 | Determinants of Health and Wellbeing in the Lives of People with Disability |
| HDS733 | Community Capacity Building - Theory and Practice for Inclusion |
| HDS734 | Inclusive Design and Technology |
Minor Project Option
| HSH731 | Minor Project A (1 credit point) |
| HSH732 | Minor Project B (1 credit point) |
Plus 6 electives from the Elective Unit Options by Fields of Study
Major Project Option
| HSH733 | Major Project A (2 credit points) |
| HSH734 | Major Project B (2 credit points) |
Plus 4 electives from the Elective Unit Options by Fields of Study
Note: International on-campus students who commence in Trimester 3 intakes pursuing the Major Project stream are required to enrol into Trimester 3 of their second year in order to complete the course within their CoE course duration.
Other electives outside this list may be approved on an individual basis. Course Director approval is required.
Work experience
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.
Other learning experiences
It is possible to complete an international study tour as an elective unit:
HSH760 International Perspectives in Health and Social Development.
Limited places are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central