Master of Public Health
Course summary for local students
Ms Claire Henty
. ‘As a student at Deakin University, the world is your oyster. There is no opportunity that is out of reach.'
B = Melbourne Burwood Campus
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Master of Public Health |
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| Campus | Melbourne Burwood Campus |
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| Length | 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
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| Next available intake | March (Trimester 1) July (Trimester 2) |
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| Indicative annual fee 2013 | $20,230* - Full-fee paying place |
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| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
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| Faculty contacts | Health - Student and Academic Services
Tel 03 9251 7777
health-enquire@deakin.edu.au |
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| CRICOS course code | 020018B |
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| Deakin course code | H747 |
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Course sub-headings
Course overview
The Master of Public Health aims to assist students to:
- appreciate the historical foundations of public health and lessons learned from history;
- develop a broad-based understanding of the determinants of health in populations;
- develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the broad public health endeavours
- develop the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain and improve upon existing health-promoting environments
- develop critical thinking about efforts to promote health and prevent disease
- carry out research to identify public health priorities and generate initiatives for policy and action, public health program planning and evaluation
- develop strategies to ensure equity in the health system and interventions to promote the health of disadvantaged groups.
- possess an appreciation of the complex challenges in public health and the need for multidimensional solutions;
- develop the skills necessary to generate and use research data related to public health issues, endeavours and interventions.
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Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Domestic students enrolled in this course may be eligible for income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2013, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2013 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
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Course rules
This course consists of 12 credit points of study, comprising a combination of core units (4 credit points), selective units (at least 2 credit points) and elective units, that can be chosen according to the desired career pathway.
The majority of core, selective and elective units will be offered in off-campus and on-campus mode. Some units may also be offered in block mode.
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Course structure
Core units
All students must complete the following core units:
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
Selective units
All students must complete a minimum of two selective units from the five options listed below:
| HSH725 | Research for Health Practice |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSN705 | Public Health Nutrition |
Elective units
Students must chose up to six additional credit points of elective study completed as either Option A or Option B. Elective credit points may be chosen from within or across the 'career pathways' listed. It is also possible to undertake elective units from any other faculty subject approval of the course coordinator. Students interested in pursuing this option should seek the advice of the course coordinator before proceeding.
Option A
| HSH731 | Minor Project A and B (1 credit point) |
| HSH732 | Minor Project B (1 credit point) |
Plus four elective units from the career pathways listed.
Option B
| HSH733 | Major Project A (2 credit points) |
| HSH734 | Major Project B (2 credit points) |
Plus two elective units from the career pathways listed.
Career pathways
Health Promotion and Community Development
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH705 | Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning |
| HSH707 | Social and Cultural Influences On Population Health * |
| HSH709 | Health and Social Impact Assessment ~ |
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research * |
| HSH724 | Local Action for Healthy Cities and Communities * |
| HSH725 | Research for Health Practice |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation * |
| HSH739 | International Perspectives on Health Policy and Planning * |
| HSH740 | People, Health and Planning * |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| MPM704 | Managing for Environmental Sustainability |
Note: Students undertaking this career pathway should take the HSH703 Health Promotion selective unit.
Environments for Health
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH707 | Social and Cultural Influences On Population Health * |
| HSH709 | Health and Social Impact Assessment ~ |
| HSH724 | Local Action for Healthy Cities and Communities * |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation * |
| HSH739 | International Perspectives on Health Policy and Planning * |
| HSH740 | People, Health and Planning * |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine + |
Note: Students undertaking his career pathway should take the HSH728 Health Equity and Human Rights selective unit.
Public Health Practice
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH709 | Health and Social Impact Assessment ~ |
| HSH724 | Local Action for Healthy Cities and Communities * |
| HSH725 | Research for Health Practice |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH739 | International Perspectives on Health Policy and Planning * |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine + |
Note: Students undertaking his career pathway should take the HSH728 Health Equity and Human Rights selective unit.
Health Economics and Management
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH709 | Health and Social Impact Assessment ~ |
| HSH739 | International Perspectives on Health Policy and Planning * |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
| MPM721 | Organisational Behaviour |
Note 1: Students undertaking this career pathway should take the HSH717 Health Economics 1 selective unit.
Note 2: Students may also select a unit from the Master of Business Administration offered at Deakin University subject to approval from the course leader.
Public Health Nutrition
| HSN701 | Principles of Nutrition |
| HSN705 | Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN706 | Food Policy and Public Health |
| HSN713 | Food, Nutrition and Behaviour |
| HSN738 | International Nutrition |
Note: Students undertaking this career pathway should take the HSN705 Population Health and Food Issues selective unit.
Applied Research
| HSH706 | Social Epidemiology (not offered 2013) |
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research * |
| HSH725 | Research for Health Practice |
| HSH745 | Health Program Evaluation |
Note: Students undertaking this career pathway should take the HSH725 Research for Health Practice selective unit.
* Unit offered in alternate years
~ HSH709 includes a 4 day intensive program held in June
+ HMF701 includes a 5 day intensive workshop held in February
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Pathways
The Master of Public Health is constructed to provide you with the opportunity to gain a second masters degree with only one additional trimester of full-time study. You may choose to combine the Master of Public Health with the Master of Health and Human Services Management or the Master of Health Promotion. Enrolment in a second masters degree is subject to application and selection. To take advantage of this opportunity, eligible students are advised to speak to the course coordinator regarding how to structure their course to ensure the appropriate subjects are chosen early and allow this option to develop.
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Entry requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit
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Entry requirements - specific
To be eligible for entry, students will normally have completed an undergraduate degree and have two years of relevant professional practice. Selection is based on additional criteria including a personal statement - write a statement of no more than 400 words to tell us why you want to do this course, what you believe you will gain from the course, your current and previous involvement in the field, and how it will align with your career aspirations.
Alternative admission may be granted to applicants who can demonstrate that they have gained sufficient pre-requisite knowledge and skills through work related training and/or experience.
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Credit for prior learning - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the
Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
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How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. Details of available courses and application closing dates can be found on the Apply webpage. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Your course may require further information in support of your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
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Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
