University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Health Communication

Coursework

The Master of Health Communication delivers core communication skills to help students to become effective communicators across health and medicine, public affairs, public relations, community relations and journalism aspects of public health. Our unique Health Communication program is the most comprehensive and specialised course of its kind in Australia, combining the expertise of the University of Sydney’s Department of Media and Communications with the public health resources of the School of Public Health. With a cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach to both media and health disciplines, our program incorporates media relations, organisational communication, and health communication approaches.

Health communication is one of the largest industry workforces in public relations and media, acting as a bridge between medical bodies, public health authorities and the wider public through the media. The 1.5 year program (full-time) delivers core media skills to help you become an effective communicator across health and medicine, public affairs, public relations, community relations and health journalism. As a Master of Health Communication graduate, you will enter the profession with a solid, evidence-based education in in international health, community-oriented health practice, obesity and other disease prevention strategies, and health promotion. Designed to meet the needs of those already working in, or wishing to enter, the private and public health sectors, as well as non-government and community organisations, our program is flexible. For example, the Graduate Diploma (1 year full-time) and Graduate Certificate (6 months full-time) courses provide shorter avenues to update and extend one’s professional skills, or to explore new career directions.

Our degrees will equip students with knowledge, understanding and expertise across media and health disciplines, incorporating a cross-disciplinary, collaborative approach. Units of study provide training in campaign development, advocacy, humanitarian and emergency health issues, bioethics, and an understanding of health cultures, policy and promotion. Featuring a well-regarded internship program, students will have the chance to attain high-level skills from work experience while fostering professional contacts and networks prior to completion. Units of study available in the degree include: News Writing; Dealing with the Media; Health Communication, International Health Promotion; and Organisational Communication.

See also: Media Practice, Publishing, Strategic Public Relations, Digital Cultures

Contact
Department website: sydney.edu.au/arts/media_communications/

Dr Olaf Werder
Phone: +61 2 9114 1219
Email:

Master of Health Communication suggested pathways
Health communication research Health promotion/marketing Health journalism/writing Health PR/policy support Community Engagement

BETH5207 (6)

Arts in Health

ARIN6905 (6)

New Media Audiences

ARIN6901 (6)

Network Society

ARIN6901 (6)

Network Society

ARIN6905 (6)

New Media Audiences

CEPI5214 (4)

Writing and Reviewing Medical Papers

BETH5206 (2)

Introduction to Public Health Ethics

BETH5203 (6)

Ethics and Public Health

ARIN6902 (6)

Internet Governance

BETH5206 (2)

Introduction to Public Health Ethics

EDPK5003 (6)

Developing a Research Project

GCST5902 (6)

Natures and Cultures of Bodies

CISS6004 (6)

Health and Security

BETH5203 (6)

Ethics and Public Health

BETH5207 (6)

Arts in Health

LNGS7002 (6)

Language, Society and Power

MECO6901 (6)

Media Relations

LAWS6839 (6)

Critical Issues in Public Health

CISS6004 (6)

Health and Security

DVST6906 (6)

Culture and Politics of Health Development

LNGS7006 (6)

Cross-cultural Communication

MECO6936 (6)

Social Media Communication

MECO6900 (6)

News Writing

HPOL5000 (6)

Introduction to Health Policy

EDPK5003 (6)

Developing a Research Project

PSYC5011 (6)

Applying Models of Health Behaviour

MKTG6203 (6)

Innovative Marketing Strategies

MECO6901 (6)

Media Relations

HPOL5007 (6)

Global Health Policy

GCST5902 (6)

Natures and Cultures of Bodies

PUBH5010 (6)

Epidemiology Methods and Uses

MKTG6204 (6)

Contemporary Consumer Insights

MECO6915 (6)

Writing Features: Narrative Journalism

LAWS6052 (6)

Govt Regulation, Health Policy and Ethics

MECO6936 (6)

Social Media Communication

PUBH5018 (6)

Introductory Biostatistics

PUBH5024 (2)

Obesity and Health Promotion

MECO6926 (6)

International Media Practice

LAWS6839 (6)

Critical Issues in Public Health Law

MIPH5124 (4)

Health Issues and Humanitarian Emergencies

PUBH5027 (6)

Public Health Program Evaluation Methods

PUBH5026 (2)

Mass Media Campaigns and Social Marketing

MECO6936 (6)

Social Media Communication

LAWS6848 (6)

Law and Health Lifestyles

MIPH5135 (4)

Health Systems in Developing Countries

PUBH5111 (4)

Environmental Health

PUBH5027 (6)

Public Health Program Evaluation Methods

MIPH5117 (2)

Global Non-communicable Disease Control

MECO6901 (6)

Media Relations

NURS5095 (6)

Primary Health Care in the Community

PUBH5205 (2)

Decision Analysis

PUBH5032 (2)

Making Decisions in Public Health

MIPH5124 (4)

Health Issues and Humanitarian Emergencies

MECO6908 (6)

Strategy Selection in Corporate PR

PUBH5032 (2)

Making Decisions in Public Health

PUBH5309 (2)

Translational Health

PUBH5033 (6)

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

PUBH5111 (4)

Environmental Health

MECO6926 (6)

International Media Practice

PUBH5420 (4)

Public Health Advocacy Strategies

PUBH5422 (6)

Health and Risk Communication

PUBH5118 (4)

Indigenous Health Promotion

PUBH5114 (4)

Alcohol, Drug Use and Health

MECO6936 (6)

Social Media Communication

PUBH5422 (6)

Health and Risk Communication

PUBH5500 (6)

Advanced Qualitative Health Research

PUBH5414 (2)

Public Health Advocacy

PUBH5116 (4)

Genetics and Public Health

PUBH5032 (2)

Making Decisions in Public Health 

QUAL5005 (4)

Introducing Qualitative Health Research

QUAL5005 (4)

Introducing Qualitative Health Research

PUBH5420 (4)

Public Health Advocacy Strategies

PUBH5308 (2)

Health Workforce Policy Analysis

PUBH5414 (2)

Public Health Advocacy

SCWK6910 (6)

Working with Communities

SCLG6902 (6)

Doing Social Research

SEXH5410 (6)

Sexual Health Promotion

PUBH5416 (2)

Vaccines in Public Health

PUBH5420 (4)

Public Health Advocacy Strategies
 
   

PUBH5418 (6)

Tobacco Control in the 21st Century

PUBH5422 (6)

Health and Risk Communication

 
Awards and requirements

Please refer to the degree resolutions in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses. sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/coursework/masters/health_communication.shtml

Graduate Certificate in Health Communication
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Health Communication must complete 24 credit points including:

  • a minimum of 12 credit points of core units of study
  • a maximum of 12 credit points from elective units of study

Graduate Diploma in Health Communication
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Health Communication must complete 48 credit points including:

  • a minimum of 24 credit points of core units of study
  • a maximum of 24 credit points from elective units of study

Master of Health Communication
Candidates for the Master of Health Communication must complete 72 credit points including:

  • a minimum of 24 credit points of core units of study
  • a maximum of 42 credit points from elective units of study
  • at least 6 credit points of capstone units of study

Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.

Level of prior learning Full-time duration Credit points to complete
AQF Level 7 eg. a bachelor's degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Law 1.5 years 72
Relevant professional experience equivalent to a Graduate Certificate 1 year 48
AQF Level 8 eg. Honours in a relevant discipline 1 year 48