Course Overview

About This Course

The Master of Public Health is about protecting and improving health. It prepares you to solve global health issues through evidence-based initiatives. Focus on one of eight career pathways or create your own bespoke pathway to suit your aspirations. Build skills and professional networks that open the door to exciting opportunities and leadership roles in the field. If you want to become a leading voice in public health, this course will give you the tools to make it happen. You'll have the opportunity to become an expert in a specific area of public health, and the practical skills you learn will empower you to make an impact on an even larger scale. The course is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical health professionals. It's also a great fit for graduates from other fields who are passionate about improving the health of individuals, communities and populations. The Master of Public Health focuses on evidence-based action that drives positive change across health systems. You will use the latest research to form strategies that tackle global health issues and then bring your ideas to life by creating initiatives for policy change and interventions. Your initiatives could be related to various public health fields, including epidemiology, focussing on disease control and prevention. You will look at issues from a big-picture angle and promote the conditions that optimise population health. Much of what you learn is shaped by Deakin's world-class health research. You'll have direct access to the research produced by the Institute for Health Transformation which is led by internationally recognised researchers. This research doesn't just help you when you're studying and solving case studies – it's incredibly valuable knowledge that you'll carry with you throughout your entire career.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

Entry requirements are not fully detailed on this page; however, the course duration and credit points required (8, 12 or 16) 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.
The time and cost can be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience, allowing fast-tracking from 2 years down to 1.5 years.
Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 to be eligible to undertake the minor project option.
Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 to be eligible to undertake the major project option.
Internships and collaborative research and work-based training arrangements are available for eligible students with a WAM of 70+.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can apply directly through the NIKERI Institute.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check and/or a Working with Children Check.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The Master of Public Health prepares graduates for exciting opportunities and leadership roles in the public health field. Graduates can become leading voices in public health, with expertise in specific areas such as epidemiology, health promotion, health economics and management, public health nutrition, humanitarian assistance, and disability and inclusion. The course is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical health professionals, as well as graduates from other fields who are passionate about improving the health of individuals, communities and populations.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

VETASSESS

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units55 units

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

0-credit-point compulsory unit completed in first study period

HSH701

Principles and Practice of Public Health

Core unit

HSH702

Contemporary Health Issues and Policies

Core unit

HSH703

Health Promotion

Core unit

HSH725

Research Literacy

Core unit (Trimester 1 2026 commencing students); elective option for Trimester 2 2026 commencing students

HSH728

Health Equity and Human Rights

Core unit

HSH744

Epidemiology 1

Core unit

HSH746

Biostatistics 1

Core unit

HSH770

Health Protection

Core unit

HSH753

Research Methods in Health and Social Development

Core unit option for Trimester 2 2026 commencing students; recommended for students wishing to complete a minor or major project

HSH712

Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Promotion

HSH717

Health Economics 1

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Economics and Management

HSH719

Economic Evaluation 1

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Economics and Management / Applied Research

HSH745

Health Program Evaluation

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Promotion / Health Economics and Management / Applied Research

HSH747

Biostatistics 2

Elective – Public Health Practice / Epidemiology / Health Economics and Management / Applied Research

HMF701

Agricultural Health and Medicine

Elective – Public Health Practice

HSH754

Epidemiology 2

Elective – Public Health Practice / Epidemiology / Applied Research

HSH755

Postgraduate Health Practicum

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Promotion / Health Economics and Management / Applied Research

HSH760

International Perspectives in Health and Social Development

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Promotion; also available as an international study tour

HSH769

Comparative Health Systems

Elective – Public Health Practice

IND734

Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing

Elective – Public Health Practice / Health Promotion; limited places allocated based on interview process and academic merit

HSH704

Health Communication

Elective – Health Promotion

HSH705

Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning

Elective – Health Promotion

HSH715

Qualitative Health Research

Elective – Health Promotion / Applied Research

HSH736

Community Consultation and Participation

Elective – Health Promotion

HSH756

Introduction to Systems Thinking

Elective – Health Promotion

HSH757

Systems Thinking for Health and Social Transformation

Elective – Health Promotion

HSH761

Health Technology Assessment 1

Elective – Health Economics and Management

HSH762

Resource Allocation and Priority Setting

Elective – Health Economics and Management

HSH764

Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice

Elective – Health Economics and Management

MPE781

Economics for Managers

Elective – Health Economics and Management

MMM710

Emerging Issues in International Operations

Elective – Health Economics and Management

HSN701

Principles of Nutrition