Public Health (Practice)

We also offer a 2 year Master of Public Health for those looking for a research pathway.

Public health practitioners are concerned with all facets of public health, with expertise spanning epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion and protection, policy and governance. Their knowledge helps shape policies and strategies that improve health and social outcomes for the benefit of everyone.

This is an accelerated course that focuses on the core functions of public health: prevention of illness and disease, and the protection and promotion of health and wellbeing in Australia and globally. It explores the social, ecological, commercial, political, economic and behavioural determinants on individual and population health outcomes.

The applied focus on public health practice includes epidemiology and surveillance, research methods, disease prevention and control, health protection and promotion, politics, policy, governance and systems for public health.

In addition to coursework, you’ll complete a professional capstone unit in public health practice.

Why study

• As a multidisciplinary course it can open up various career pathways upon graduation.
• This course focuses on contemporary public health practice, equity and social justice. 
• This course can be completed in 1.5 years, either face-to-face or fully online.
• This course has a strong industry focus, as well as a focus on leadership and global citizenship.

Career information

Careers

• Public health officer
• Community development officer
• Health promotion officer
• Policy officer 
• Project officer
• Research officer
• Workplace health coordinator.

Industries

• Local, state and federal government 
• Community and social services
• Universities and research organisations
• International aid and development
• Social enterprise
• International institutions
• Public and private health services.

What you'll learn

• apply research based specialised knowledge including recent developments in public health together with applicable research principles and methods
• reflect critically on theoretical knowledge, public health scholarship, advocacy and professional practice
• investigate, analyse, synthesise and communicate complex information that impact on public health outcomes and consider the applicability of existing and emerging technologies for public health practice
• critically evaluate the impact of environmental and geographical context, local institutions and culture on public health outcomes (
• articulate, defend and apply a theoretical understanding of social justice implicit in public health practice
• demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability when interacting with diverse individuals, communities and organisations as an advocate for public health