M6024 Master of Public Health

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Expanding public health knowledge, Part B. Foundations of public health studies and Part C. Advanced application expertise.

Part A. Expanding public health knowledge

In these studies, you will develop an understanding of knowledge and skills in the broad domain of public health through core studies in the public health discipline areas of disease/injury prevention and control and health promotion and health policy, planning and management, and with opportunity for electives in areas of public health of interest to you.

Part B. Foundations of public health studies

In these studies, you will gain specialised professional knowledge in the core skills, knowledge, and disciplines of public health through the study of epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, and introduction and challenges in public health.

Part C. Advanced application expertise

In these studies, you will have the opportunity to gain greater expertise in key areas of your interest through an elective study program to suit your own career interests. You will have the opportunity to choose between one of the following pathways:

a) Coursework – in this pathway you will undertake a core capstone unit MPH5289 professional practice development and combine it with a program of units to suit your career interests. In the capstone unit, you are expected to integrate, extend and apply knowledge and skills gained in the course to real-world professional practice development, particularly in relation to project management and implementation and communication, that can contribute to more effective practice and outcomes.

b) Research – in this pathway you will undertake a 24 point research project and combine it with a program of elective units to suit your career interests. In the public health research project, you are expected to demonstrate your ability to integrate and apply public health theory, principles and practice, and research methods to a specific public health problem or issue. Consultation with the course research project coordinator is required prior to enrolment in the research project.

Note: Students commencing mid-year may not be able to undertake the research option, please check the course progression map.

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 96 credit points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 72 credit points, comprising Part B and Part C.
• If you are admitted at entry level 3 you complete 48 credit points, comprising Part B and Part C (24 credit points).*

Note: All students commence with Part B to complete the core units as a cohort. If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

*The Research specialisation is not available at entry level 3.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Electives

For the full list of electives go to the Master of Public Health electives page. 

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Expanding public health knowledge (24 points), Part B. Foundations of public health studies (24 points) and Part C. Advanced application expertise (48 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Expanding public health knowledge (24 points)

You must complete 12 points from the following units:

• MPH5002 Foundations of health promotion and program planning
• MPH5022 Evaluating public health programs
• MPH5203 Environmental influences on health
• MPH5207 Chronic diseases: epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5218 Infectious diseases: epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5256 Injury epidemiology and prevention*
• MPH5214 Demographic methods
• MAP4200 Improving Indigenous equity in professional practice or MAP5200 Improving Indigenous equity in professional practice*
• MPH5266 Clinical leadership and management
• MPH5269 Foundations of health policy
• MPH5272 Principles of health systems

*Notes:

• MPH5256 Is offered every second year.
• MAP4200 will be replaced by MAP5200 commencing in 2026. You are not permitted to complete both of these units.
• If you are an International student you can complete MAP4200 or MAP5200 in your final semester of enrolment.

AND

You must complete 12 points of approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except core units in Part B or MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033.)

Note: If you are an International student you can complete these units in your final semester of enrolment.

Part B. Foundations of public health studies (24 points)

You must complete the following units:

• MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
• MPH5041 Introductory biostatistics
• MPH5213 Research methods
• MPH5288 Public health fundamentals

Part C. Advanced application expertise (48 points)

You must complete ONE of the following:

a. Research pathway (48 points) (Research specialisation)

Students who successfully complete the requirements of the Research specialisation will be eligible to graduate with the Master of Public Health (Research).

The public health research project requires you to demonstrate your ability to integrate and apply public health theory, principles and practice, and research methods to a specific public health problem or issue. Consultation with the course research project coordinator is required prior to enrolment in the research project. The research project consists of a 24 point research project (MAP5000 and MAP5010).

You must successfully complete the following units prior to commencing MAP5000 and MAP5010:
Part A units - MPH5040, MPH5041, and MPH5213.
Part C units - MPH5200 (if you are undertaking quantitative analysis) OR MPH5215* Qualitative research methods (for students undertaking qualitative analysis).

It is highly recommended that a research project be conducted with a principal supervisor located within the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Only in special circumstances will you be permitted to complete a project with a supervisor external to the school, and may include where the project would be undertaken in your current workplace and there is an experienced supervisor/researcher willing and available to supervise you.

You must complete 30 points of the following units:

• one of MPH5200 (if you are undertaking quantitative analysis) OR MPH5215* Qualitative research methods (for students undertaking qualitative analysis).
• MAP5000 Research in advanced health professional practice (12 points)
• MAP5010 Advanced health practice research project (12 points)

*Note: MPH5215 not offered in 2025. Students who need to do this unit in 2025 should contact [email protected] to discuss an alternative.

AND

You must complete 18 points of Elective units:

• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).

b. Coursework pathway (48 points)

You must complete:

• MPH5289 Professional practice development (6 points) (Note: this unit must be taken in the final year study)

AND

You must complete 42 points from one of the following specialisations:

Epidemiology

You must complete 24 points from the following Core units.

• MPH5200 Regression methods for epidemiology OR MPH5270 Advanced statistical methods for clinical research
• MPH5207 Chronic disease: Epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5218 Infectious diseases: Epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5236 Clinical trials

AND

You must complete 18 points from the following Elective units

Note: You may complete one unit only from MPH5003, MPH5274 or MPH5273 if you wish and this should be undertaken towards the end of your course.

• MPH5003 Global health virtual practicum (12 points)
• MPH5274 Public health placement (12 points)
• MPH5273 Case study in health services management (12 points)
• MPH5214 Demography methods (recommended)
• MPH5200 Regression methods for epidemiology
• MPH5270 Advanced statistical methods for clinical research (recommended)
• MPH5239 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis
• MPH5256 Injury epidemiology and prevention*
• MPH5277 Practical data management
• MPH5283 Ethics, good research practice and practical research skills
• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).

*MPH5256 Is offered every second year.

Global and Planetary Health

You must complete 24 credit points from the following Core units.

• MPH5042 Planetary health
• MPH5252 Global health care delivery: Principles and challenges
• MPH5207 Chronic diseases: Epidemiology and prevention

AND One of:

• MPH5255 Health and human rights
• MPH5218 Infectious diseases: Epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5272 Principles of health systems

AND

You must complete 18 points from the following Elective units.

Note: You may complete one unit only from MPH5003, MPH5274 or MPH5273 if you wish and this should be undertaken towards the end of your course.

• MPH5003 Global health virtual practicum (12 points)
• MPH5274 Public health placement (12 points)
• MPH5273 Case study in health services management (12 points)
• EPM5023 Foundations of international health*
• MAP4200 Improving Indigenous equity in professional practice or MAP5200 Improving Indigenous equity in professional practice*
• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).

* Notes:

• MAP4200 will be replaced by MAP5200 commencing in 2026. You are not permitted to complete both of these units.
• MAP4200 or MAP5200 may be taken by international students in their final semester only.
• EPM5023 is not currently offered.

Health Economics

You must complete 24 credit points from the following Core units.

• MPH5268 Financial management in health care
• MPH5220 Introductory health economics
• MPH5221 Determining value for money in health care
• One of: MPH5022 Evaluating public health programs OR MPH5239 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis

AND

You must complete 18 points from the following Elective units.

Note: You may complete one unit only from MPH5003, MPH5274 or MPH5273 if you wish and this should be undertaken towards the end of your course.

• MPH5003 Global health virtual practicum (12 points)
• MPH5274 Public health placement (12 points)
• MPH5273 Case study in health services management (12 points)
• MPH5266 Clinical leadership and management
• MPH5269 Foundations of health policy
• MPH5272 Principles of health systems
• MPH5271 Implementation and innovation in health care
• MAP4200 Improving Indigenous equity in professional practice or MAP5200 Improving Indigenous equity in professional practice*
• MPH5265 Law for health systems
• MPH5267 Principles of health care quality improvement
• MPH5268 Financial management in health care
• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).

* Notes

• MAP4200 will be replaced by MAP5200 commencing in 2026. You are not permitted to complete both of these units.
• MAP4200 or MAP5200 may be taken by international students in their final semester only.

Health Policy

You must complete 24 credit points from the following Core units.

• MPH5265 Law for health systems
• MPH5267 Principles of health care quality improvement
• MPH5269 Foundations of health policy
• MPH5272 Principles of health systems

AND

You must complete 18 points from the following Elective units.

Note: You may complete one unit only from MPH5003, MPH5274 or MPH5273 if you wish and this should be undertaken towards the end of your course.

• MPH5003 Global health virtual practicum (12 points)
• MPH5274 Public health placement (12 points)
• MPH5273 Case study in health services management (12 points)
• MPH5266 Clinical leadership and management
• MPH5268 Financial management in health care
• MPH5271 Implementation and innovation in health care
• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).

Health Promotion 

You must complete 24 credit points from the following Core units:

• MPH5002 Foundations of health promotion and program planning
• MPH5207 Chronic disease: Epidemiology and prevention
• MPH5022 Evaluating public health programs
• MPH5218 Infectious diseases: Epidemiology and prevention

AND

You must complete 18 points from the following Elective units.

Note: You may complete one unit only from MPH5003, MPH5274 or MPH5273 if you wish and this should be undertaken towards the end of your course.

• MPH5003 Global health virtual practicum (12 points)
• MPH5223 Social and cultural determinants of health
• MPH5274 Public health placement (12 points)
• MPH5273 Case study in health services management (12 points)
• MPH5252 Global health care delivery: Principles and challenges (recommended)
• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).

Public Health (general)

You must complete 42 credit points from the following units:

• Approved postgraduate units offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Master of Public Health Electives list (except units MPH5020; MPH5301-MPH5320; EPM5001-EPM5028; EPM5031-EPM5033).