Advance your career in public health and develop the expertise to improve the health and wellbeing of communities locally and globally. In Australia, over half a million new jobs are projected in the health care and social assistance sector over the next decade. Ranked #36 in the world for public health, Deakin’s Master of Public Health prepares you to address complex health challenges.
Tailor your degree by choosing electives from eight fields of study, including health promotion, public health nutrition, humanitarian assistance, and disability and inclusion. Focus on a specific area or combine fields to create a pathway aligned to your career goals. Study online or on campus while developing capabilities in data analysis, policy and population health. You will also have access to work-integrated learning, internships and applied research opportunities to build professional experience and industry connections.
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 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 (PHAA) 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 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.
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
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.
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.
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.
Demonstrate digital literacies in public health practice and scholarship to interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Critically evaluate a range of complex public health evidence, theory and solutions at an abstract level.
Using appropriate analytical and research methods, develop and evaluate strategies to prevent disease and injury and protect and improve health.
Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning in public health.
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 ethically appropriate research and practice skills to the appraisal of public health related issues and generate appropriate and culturally sensitive responses.
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 Master of Public Health you must pass 16 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.
A 16-credit point Master of Public Health includes:
DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit- point compulsory unit) in your first study period
8 credit points of core units
8 credit points 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.
**Note: Students wishing to complete a minor or major project option are recommended to complete core unit HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development.
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.
Plus 4 electives from the Elective Unit Options by Fields of Study
*Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 to be eligible to undertake the major project option.
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 Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) course duration. Please refer to the course map.
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.
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.
Research is embedded in most core units and electives. These unit selections allow you to apply to undertake further study such as a PhD.
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.
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.
