Master of Public Health

James Cook University

CRICOS Institution Code 00117J

Duration

78 weeks

Delivery

Online and on-campus

Study Load

Full time / Part time

Intakes

Online: February, September / Townsville: February, September

Course Overview

About This Course

Take the next step in your health career with the Master of Public Health. Become equipped to address pressing public health issues relevant to tropical Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Gain an in-depth understanding of the urgent problems facing vulnerable communities and learn how to develop strategies to detect, prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases, ensuring safe and healthy environments for tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities. You will study an advanced body of theoretical and technical knowledge within public health to allow you to critically reflect upon and engage in professional public health practice based on ethical decision making and an evidence-based approach relevant to contemporary priorities, biostatistics, communicable disease control and public health management. This 1.5-year degree includes five core subjects: Tropical Public Health; Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy; Epidemiology for Public Health; Biostatistics for Public Health; and Communicable Disease Control. You can tailor this public health degree to suit your interests by choosing elective subjects that cover a broad range of topics such as infection prevention and control, human parasitology and medical entomology, social science in public health, health promotion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, travel medicine, environmental health, and health economics. If you choose to and are eligible to enrol in the major in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine, you will develop a broad understanding of the foundations of prehospital and retrieval emergency care, and gain specialist skills for an exciting and rewarding career in a range of emergency medical settings.. There is also the opportunity for you to undertake a research project, conducting an in-depth investigation of an issue relevant to the public health sector and completing a high-quality dissertation.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

349 Queen St, BRISBANE, QLD 4000

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

$10,430+ per year (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Duration

52 weeks

Intakes

Online: February, September / Townsville: February, September

Study Mode

Full time / Part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students:

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline; or equivalent

International Students:

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline; or equivalent
English language requirements: Band 2
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course

Additional Requirements:

Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline, from this or another university; or Other qualifications recognised by the Head of Discipline as equivalent to the above; or Submission, as an exceptional case, of other evidence of professional and academic attainments, including employment for a minimum of five years in health related activities
For the Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine major (only), completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in Medicine, Nursing or Paramedicine, from this or another university; and at least 2 years full-time experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in a critical care environment. Intern and first year of practice years are excluded from these two (2) years of experience
Please note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of ”Band 2” – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

JCU Master of Public Health graduates are equipped with specialist public health skills and are employed in a wide range of settings.
You could find employment in state and commonwealth government organisations, health care settings, community settings, non-profit and international organisations both within and beyond the health sector.
Roles can involve work that focuses on the protection of the health of the population, prevention of poor health outcomes and promotion of health and wellbeing.
You can also complete the Master of Public Health as a joint degree with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or the Master of Public Health- Master of Global Development.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

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 Units43 units

TM5502

Tropical Public Health

TM5513

Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy

TM5515

Epidemiology for Public Health

TM5516

Biostatistics for Public Health

TM5525

Communicable Disease Control

MPH - Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance Major

MPH - Lifestyle Medicine Major

MPH - Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine Major

TM5310

Dissertation 2

TM5527

Project

TM5549

Dissertation 1

HS5102

Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals

HS5555

Infection Prevention and Control in Health Care Settings

HS5801

Health Coaching and Behaviour Change

HS5802

Models of Care and Innovation in Lifestyle Medicine

HS5805

Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine

HS5810

Advanced Lifestyle Medicine Practice

RH5006

Healthy Ageing

TM5501

Tropical Medicine

TM5503

Human Parasitology

TM5506

Social Science in Public Health

TM5510

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

TM5512

Travel Medicine

TM5514

Environmental Health

TM5518

Medical Entomology

TM5526

Public Health Economics

TM5528

Health Promotion

TM5529

Applied Health Economics

TM5534

Tropical Paediatrics

TM5536

Public Health in Humanitarian Emergencies

TM5540

Public Health and the Workplace

TM5541

Managing Effective Health Programs

TM5547

Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation

TM5552

Global Health and Development

TM5557

Disaster Health Management

TM5560

Foundations of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine

TM5562

Reproductive Health in Developing Countries

TM5571

Public Health Placement

TM5576

Adult Retrieval Medicine

TM5577

Neonatal and Paediatric Retrieval Medicine

TM5578

Emerging Global Health Threats: Equipping for the Future

TM5581

Expedition and Wilderness Medicine

TM5600

Introduction to One Health

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Master of Public Health at JCU accredited by a professional body?

Yes, the course is designed in accordance with the core principles of public health as defined by the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions in Australia (CAPHIA), ensuring that your knowledge and skills are aligned with industry standards.

Can I specialise in a particular area within the Master of Public Health?

Yes, you can tailor the degree to suit your interests by choosing elective subjects covering topics such as infection prevention and control, human parasitology and medical entomology, social science in public health, health promotion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, travel medicine, environmental health, and health economics. You may also choose to undertake a substantial research project or complete a major in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine.

What does the Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine major involve?

By completing the Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine major as part of your MPH at James Cook University, you will develop a broad understanding of the foundations of prehospital and retrieval emergency care, gain specialist skills for a career in a range of emergency medical settings, and graduate with the expertise to manage patient transportation in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in both domestic and international contexts.

Can I combine the Master of Public Health with another degree?

Yes, you can complete the Master of Public Health as a joint degree with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or as a Master of Public Health – Master of Global Development.

What are the estimated fees for the Master of Public Health at JCU?

The estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee is AUD $10,430, and the estimated annual tuition fee for international students is AUD $30,446 for a full-time study load. Please note this estimate is variable and subject to fluctuation depending on choice of elective subjects. A Student Services and Amenities fee also applies. Fee deferral and scholarships are available if eligible.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$65,000 – $85,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$80,000 – $100,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$100,000 – $125,000/yr

Career Paths

Public Health Officer
Health Promotion Officer
Epidemiologist
Biostatistician
Health Policy Analyst

Key Skills

Epidemiological analysis and disease surveillance
Biostatistics and quantitative data analysis
Health promotion program design and evaluation
Public health policy development and analysis
Health research methods (qualitative and quantitative)

Full course overview

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Hear From the Students

Honestly I was lost when I first started looking at Australian colleges. There are just too many options and every agent gives you different info. A friend told me about FindTheCourses and within a week I had shortlisted 3 programs that actually matched my budget and visa situation. My advisor Sanjay was super helpful — never felt like I was being pushed into anything.

Priya Sharma

India

Master of Nursing · Griffith University

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses