Master of Health Economics

2015 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Course rules
• Course structure

Course overview

H704 Master of Health Economics (MHE) is designed to develop postgraduate skills in health technology assessment, economic evaluation of health interventions, resource allocation and priority setting, healthcare financing, health systems research and the health economics/health policy interface. It will provide high level training in economic evaluation and modelling and health technology assessment. The Master of Health Economics is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in economics or a health-related discipline who are interested in gaining analytical skills in the application of economics to decision-making in health care.

Graduates will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and skills required to analyse and advise on health expenditure trends, health insurance, funding and payment mechanisms, health system design and associated policies; to design and undertake economic appraisal of interventions; to design and undertake high level health technology and pharmaceutical assessment; and to lead priority setting exercises in health care.

Graduates will demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables them to critically evaluate current research in economic policy and economic evaluation of health services as well as participate effectively in health policy development and debate.
The course is designed within an international context.

Career opportunities

The MHE will prepare students for careers in: the government sector including the Productivity Commission; pharmaceutical and health technology industries; the non-government sector; the health insurance industry; and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).  In addition, it will provide students with the opportunity to progress to a PhD at Deakin University and pathways to a career in academia.

Course rules

The course is comprised of 16 credit points including seven core units (7 credit points), three selectives (3 credit points) and six elective units (6 credit points).

Course structure

Students would normally complete the Master of Health Economics over 4 trimesters of full- time study or the part-time equivalent. As some students will be in full time work, part-time enrolment will mean that these students are expected to complete the course in three to four years.

Students may enrol in the course in either Trimester 1 or 2. It is recommended that students take the minor or major project in their last one or two trimesters.

Core units

All students must complete the following seven core units:

Selective units
All students must complete a minimum of three selective units from the five options listed below:

Students must choose up to six additional credit points of elective study (can include selective units above not already taken) completed as either Option A or Option B. It is also possible to undertake elective units from any other faculty subject to approval of the Course Director. Students interested in pursuing this option should seek the advice of the Course Director before proceeding.

Option A

Plus four elective units

Option B (for students with a WAM 70%*)

Plus two elective units

*WAM applies to core units 

Elective units

Can include selective units above not already taken, as well as any of the units below: