University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Health Communication

(Students apply through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

Admission requirements


Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Health Communication requires:

  • a bachelor's degree; or
  • professional experience of no less than three years in a relevant field such as journalism, public relations, media relations or media research.


Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Health Communication requires:

  • a bachelor's degree with a minimum 60% average calculated over the whole degree, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities, social sciences or public health; or
  • completion of the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Health Communication with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.


Admission to the Master of Health Communication requires:

  • a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities, social sciences or public health; or
  • completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Health Communication with a minimum credit (65%) average.

Course structure

The Graduate Certificate in Health Communication requires the successful completion of 24 credit points of units of study including:

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

The Graduate Diploma in Health Communication requires the successful completion of 48 credit points of units of study including:

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

Students may take a maximum of 6 credit points of electives from outside the Health Communications subject area with permission of the Coordinator.

The Master of Health Communication requires the successful completion of 72 credit points of units of study including:

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

Students may take a maximum of 12 credit points of electives from outside the Health Communications subject area with permission of the Coordinator.

Master - Recognition of prior learning

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 required 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

Sample Pattern of enrolment

The following table provides examples for structuring programs of study directed towards specific interests or future employment. Students can design their own pathway in consultation with the program coordinator.

Core units      
MECO6909
Crisis Communication 
MECO6934
Social Marketing 
MECO6919
Health Communication 
MECO6927
Organisational Communication 
Elective units   
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

 
Capstone units of study  
MECO6904
Dissertation Part 1 
MECO6905
Dissertation Part 2 
MECO6928
Media and Communication Internship 
MECO6935
Professional Practice