Public Health

Admission requirements

Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Public Health requires:

• a bachelor degree.

Admission to the Master of Public Health requires:

• completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate diploma; or
• a bachelor degree in public health, medicine, medical science, nursing, allied health (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry), dentistry, veterinary science, education, communication and journalism, science, arts, psychology, social science, political science, policy analysis, government, international relations, engineering, architecture, mathematics, law, economics, commerce, business, accounting or marketing.

Applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in a field not listed above, plus have other professional or non-professional qualifications and/or substantial relevant experience or other qualifications, may also be eligible for admission.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Public Health (Professional Practice) and Master of Public Health (Chronic Disease Prevention) extended programs, students require:

• current enrolment in the Master of Public Health; and
• a weighted average mark of at least 75% in the first 24 credit points of core units of study.

See the course Rules for further details.

Course structure

The Graduate Diploma in Public Health requires the successful completion of 36 credit points of units of study including:

• 24 credit points of core units of study; and
• 12 credit points of elective units of study, with a minimum of 6 credit points from Part 1 of the Table of units of study.

The Master of Public Health requires the successful completion of 48 credit points of units of study including:

• 32 credit points of core units of study; and
• 16 credit points of elective units of study, with a minimum of 8 credit points from Part 1 of the Table of units of study.

Extended Master of Public Health programs:

The Master of Public Health (Professional Placement) requires the successful completion of 60 credit points of units of study including:

• 48 credit points of units of study as required for the Master of Public Health; and
• 12 credit points of practice placement units of study.

The Master of Public Health (Chronic Disease Prevention) requires the successful completion of a selected program of study of 60 credit points of units of study (see the extended program section for further details) including:

• 48 credit points of units of study as required for the Master of Public Health; and
• 12 credit points of prevention units of study.

Students considering the Master of Public Health (Chronic Disease Prevention) option should look at the structured program of study outlined on the extended master's program page.

Pattern of enrolment and pathways

There are five pathways to gain specialised training, or to undertake study in a general degree program that offers a large number of elective options. Examples for structuring programs of study directed towards specific interests or future employment can be found under the specific pathway sections. Please note these are suggestions only and you may choose units of study according to your interest, with consideration for your study load and prerequisites.

All students must complete the required credit point value of core units of study regardless of elective choice.

The pathways are:

• Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Chronic Disease)
• Health Economics/Health Policy
• Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Communicable Disease)
• Population Oral Health
• Public Health Research

If you are thinking of undertaking training in the Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM), you should note that the AFPHM have requirements for the content of the MPH you undertake. You should contact the AFPHM to confirm the exact requirements, as these may change over time.

Core units of study