#1 Victorian university for student support
120 hours of professional health experience
Top 5 provider in Australia for health degrees
Why choose health promotion at Deakin
Build the expertise to improve health and wellbeing at a population level with Deakin’s Master of Health Promotion. Develop skills in program planning, communication, policy, advocacy and research to address the social and structural determinants of health and drive meaningful, lasting change.
Grounded in principles of equity, social justice and empowerment, this course prepares you to work across sectors to create healthier, more inclusive communities. Accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education, this course enables you to register as a Health Promotion Practitioner and gain global recognition.
Gain a deep understanding of how social, environmental, political and economic factors influence health outcomes, while building the capacity to design, deliver and evaluate evidence-informed health initiatives. With opportunities to complete 120 hours of professional experience and tailor your studies across areas such as global health, nutrition and community development, you will graduate ready to lead action for healthier, more equitable outcomes and contribute to improved population health.
-
Graduate with a recognised accreditation
This is the only course in Victoria accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education.
-
Gain industry experience
Complete 120 hours of professional experience where you apply your knowledge in a health setting, build practical skills and develop industry connections.
-
Industry-led learning and research
Learn from academics engaged in leading health promotion research, with course content informed by contemporary practice.
-
Supportive learning environment
Study at the #1 Victorian university for health student support, with access to expert academics and contemporary research.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build a career improving health and wellbeing across communities in Australia and globally, with opportunities in government, health organisations, NGOs, community services and businesses.
Health promotion officer
Develop, coordinate and evaluate health promotion programs that address community health priorities, improve wellbeing and support positive health outcomes.
- $93k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 4.8/5
Job satisfaction
Organisations you may work for
- National and international health organisations
- Community organisations
- Human services agencies
- Local, state and federal government
- Non-government organisations
- Businesses and corporations
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Health Promotion?
Build advanced knowledge and practical skills in health promotion, focusing on improving health outcomes through evidence-informed strategies, community engagement and policy development.
Build health promotion foundations
Understand health promotion principles
Learn how social, environmental and behavioural factors influence health, with a focus on prevention, equity and community wellbeing.
Develop communication and planning skills
Build your ability to design and deliver health promotion initiatives, including program planning and community engagement.
Build research capability
Develop skills in qualitative research and evidence-based practice to inform health promotion strategies.
Apply your skills and tailor your degree
Design and evaluate programs
Strengthen your ability to assess needs, plan initiatives and evaluate outcomes to improve health promotion practice.
Tailor your studies
Choose a project and select electives to explore areas such as global health, nutrition, systems thinking or community development.
Gain professional experience
Complete 120 hours of professional experience, applying your skills in a health setting and building industry connections.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Health Promotion, you must pass 16 credit points. The number of credit points required 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.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Plus
1 credit point of course elective units chosen from:
*Students wishing to complete a minor or major project option are recommended to complete course elective unit HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development.
Students must complete either a major project, minor project or 8 credit points of course electives. Any student wishing to do both a minor and a major project, may do so with the permission of the Course Director, and will therefore only be required to complete 2 elective units from the Electives list.
Major Project option^
Plus 4 electives from the Electives list
^Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 to be eligible to undertake the major project option.
Minor Project option~
Plus 6 electives from the Electives list
~Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 to be eligible to undertake the minor project option.
Students may choose to complete a specialisation in Mind, Society and Substance
Mind, Society and Substance specialisation (SP-H759001)
This specialisation is optional and the units are available as elective unit options or can be combined to complete this specialisation.
Plus 1 unit from:
Other electives outside the list below may be approved on an individual basis. Course Director approval is required.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). Graduates can register with IUHPE as a registered Health Promotion Practitioner, securing you global and Australian recognition. Deakin is the first and only Victorian University to hold this accreditation.
Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA). All Master of Health Promotion students also have option of obtaining free membership to AHPA for the duration of their studies.
Note: information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the time of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course and the relevant professional body retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Students will undertake work integrated assessment tasks in several core and elective units, and they have the option of undertaking a minor or major project.
Other learning experiences
Internships/internships are also available to students enrolled in HSH755 Health practicum as an elective.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
Apply a critical and advanced knowledge in the area of health promotion that includes:
|
| Communicate on health promotion issues in an effective and coherent manner, attentive to the needs of the target audience. Develop effective communication skills relevant for the professional health sector. |
| Demonstrate mastery in current technologies to discover, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate technical and non-technical information applicable to health promotion. |
| Demonstrate critical thinking to evaluate, using appropriate analytical and research methods, health promotion problems and solutions for individuals and communities. |
| Apply theoretical constructs and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative health promotion solutions. |
| Apply knowledge and skills in creative ways to adapt to new situations in professional practice and/or plan for further learning in the field of health promotion. |
| Work effectively within health promotion and multi-disciplinary teams with others from a range of backgrounds. |
| Apply the highest ethical standards in the development, design, construction and management of health promotion programs for Australia or elsewhere. |
- Award granted
- Master of Health Promotion
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H759
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$30,600
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.