Handbook home
Master of Public Health (244CW)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2020 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Majors, minors and specialisations
Coordinator
Dr Melissa Russell
Contact
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: MSPGH Website
- Email: Enquiry Form
Overview
| Award title | Master of Public Health |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2020 — Parkville |
| CRICOS code | 020358D |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Credit points | 200 credit points |
| Duration | 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time |
The Master of Public Health offers students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge required for a career in public health practice. Within the course students are exposed to the core foundations of public health theory and practice and also have the opportunity to specialise in the advanced public health training streams offered through the University of Melbourne. The Master of Public Health programs at the University of Melbourne is delivered by academic staff with extensive experience and depth of knowledge, who are leaders in their chosen fields of public health.
The Master of Public Health has three components:
- The core component includes up to six subjects that provide students with a rigorous, multidisciplinary foundation in public health theory and practice, that is essential to all aspects of public health practice;
- The specialist component offers students the opportunity to focus on one or more key fields in public health and gain the skills and knowledge required for practice in the area. Specialisations are offered in the fields of Ageing, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Gender and Women’s Health, Global Health, Health Program Evaluation, Health Economics and Economic Evaluation, Health Social Sciences, Indigenous Health, Primary Care, Sexual Health; and
- The capstone experience offers students the opportunity to consolidate their specialist training and apply the knowledge gained in the course to real world scenarios. Students may apply to undertake a Research Project with an expert in their field; a Professional Practice placement with a recognised agency, institution or community organisation concerned with health; or capstone selective subjects.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered applicants must have completed:
- An undergraduate degree in any discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least 65%, or equivalent
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- public health and health-related work experience, as evidenced by a CV provided by the candidate.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Notes:
a. Advanced Standing: Successful applicants may be eligible for either 25 or 50 points advanced standing under the following circumstances:
25 Points Advanced Standing: Successful applicants with an undergraduate health professional degree and a 65% weighted average mark may receive 25 points of advanced standing.
50 Points Advanced Standing: Successful applicants with one of the following may receive 50 points of advanced standing:
- a medical degree, or
- an undergraduate degree in public health, or
- at least two years full-time work experience in a public health or professional healthcare setting, with an undergraduate degree, or
- a Graduate Certificate in public health with an undergraduate degree, or
- an Honours Degree in public health, or
- a Master’s Degree (Research or Coursework) or PhD in health or public health.
b. Successful applicants with one of the following from the University of Melbourne may receive advanced standing (with credit) for subjects completed:
- Specialist Certificate in Empowering Health in Aboriginal Communities, or
- Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Health in Rural Communities.
c. Students enrolled in the University of Melbourne Doctor of Medicine (MD) may be permitted to enrol in the Master of Public Health after the completion of the third year of the MD and may receive 37.5 points of advanced standing (25 points unspecified credit into the MPH (MD) and 12.5 specific credit against the CORE subject POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health OR the CORE subject POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Management.) This pathway is not available to students who have already completed the MD and quotas may be applied to both CSP and fee-based enrolments.
d. Students currently enrolled in their first year of the Master of Public Health (MPH) who have been successful in gaining entry to the MD are eligible for entry to the MD-MPH Intercalated degree providing they have completed POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health, POPH90013 Biostatistics, POPH90014 Epidemiology 1, POPH90231 Qualitative Research in Public Health, POPH90274 Prioritising & Planning Public Health and Four Elective Subjects. MPH students who study part-time and successfully undertake the requisite nine subjects over a period exceeding a year and enter the MD subsequently will also be considered eligible for the MPH (MD). Students will receive specified credit against the core subject POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Management. If students have completed only eight subjects prior to entering the MD they will then be required to complete an elective subject from the MPH during their MD studies.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge:
Upon completion of the Master of Public Health graduates will be able to:
- Identify current public health challenges in global, Indigenous Australian and non-Indigenous Australian communities
- Describe the ways in which biology, the environment, indigenous status, society and culture interact and determine health
- Discuss the public health conceptual foundations
- Outline the organisational structures of the Australian and international public health systems
- Identify the key population based public health strategies
- Comprehend the requirements in engaging respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds
- Explain the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and International Indigenous people's culture in public health practice.
Skills:
Upon completion of the Master of Public Health graduates will be able to:
- Apply theories of leadership and management in public health practice
- Analyse, appraise and synthesise public health research evidence to inform public health decision making
- Demonstrate a capacity to work collaboratively within an inter-disciplinary team
- Critically reflect on the influences on decision making in public health practice, including personal attitudes and beliefs
- Assess the health needs of a community in the context of the determinants of health and apply the findings to the development of public health strategies
- Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate a public health program
- Use tools and techniques for planning and managing a public health project
- Communicate public health evidence for advocacy, and enagement using diverse media.
Application of knowledge and skills
Upon completion of the Master of Public Health graduates will be able to:
- Apply a comprehensive knowledge of a public health specialisation or area to develop solutions to complex public health problems;
- Design and manage a detailed investigation of a public health issue in a substantial project, with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability;
- Reflect on individual performance or processes undertaken in the management of a substantial public health project.
Generic skills
Academic distinction
- Have an in-depth knowledge of public health conceptual foundations and practice
- Be able to apply specialist public health knowledge and skills in a public health discipline
- Be able to examine issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives within public health
- Be able to think critically and creatively
- Be able to apply knowledge, information and research skills to solve complex problems
- Be effective written and oral communicators
Active citizenship
- Be engaged with contemporary local, national, global issues
- Have a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment
- Be aware of social and cultural diversity in communities
- Be able to work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
- Be respectful of Indigenous knowledge, culture and values
- Have the potential to be leaders in their profession
- Be equipped to make substantial contributions to society
Integrity and self-awareness
- Be motivated and organised, with an ability to set goals, manage time and prioritise
- Be able to work effectively both independently and in groups
- Be flexible and adaptable
- Be aware of their own limitations and able to reflect and learn from their mistakes
- Have empathy and concern for others and are able manage their own well-being.
- The ability to respond constructively to appraisal, performance review or assessment
- The ability to manage uncertainty
Course structure
Standard 200 Point Program (no Advanced Standing):
SIX core subjects and NINE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, EIGHT elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit
175 Point Program (students granted 25 credit points advanced standing):
SIX core subjects and SEVEN elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, SIX elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit
150 Point Program (students granted 50 credit points advanced standing):
SIX core subjects and FIVE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects and FOUR elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit
Subject options
CORE SUBJECTS
Students entering the program on a 175 or 150 point pathway are eligible to apply for an exemption examination for POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health. Students granted an exemption must complete one extra elective subject in lieu of POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health. To apply to sit for an exemption examination please contact the Subject Coordinator for Foundations of Public Health prior to the start of the subject. If you have completed a subject similar to POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health in the past five years at a post graduate level you will not be required to sit an exemption exam and will automatically be offered 12.5 points of credit for your prior study.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90217 | Foundations of Public Health | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90013 | Biostatistics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90231 | Qualitative Research in Public Health | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90218 | Public Health Leadership and Management | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90274 | Prioritising & Planning in Public Health | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
International Students from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds are encouraged to enrol in this subject offered jointly by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and the Centre for Communication Skills and English Language Studies:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LING90002 | Presenting Academic Discourse |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
ELECTIVES
The MPH is flexible and does not have fixed streams. Students may tailor elective subject choices to suit their interests, provided they meet course requirements. All elective subjects offered in the MPH are listed below:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90137 | Primary Health Care, Jamkhed, India | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| POPH90256 | Ageing in Society | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| VETS90086 | Epidemiology of Epidemics | February (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90189 | Health Program Design & Implementation | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90200 | Principles of Social Research Design | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90243 | Epidemiology 3 | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90206 | Health Policy | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90020 | Health Promotion | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90169 | Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Health | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90270 | Bioethics and Public Health | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90201 | Community-Based Participatory Research | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90095 | Economic Evaluation 2 | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90199 | Gender and Health | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90094 | Health Economics 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90112 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90227 | Public Health in Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90290 | First 1000 Days in Indigenous Contexts | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| POPH90070 | Clinical Sexual & Reproductive Health | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| POPH90244 | Global Health and Human Rights | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LING90002 | Presenting Academic Discourse |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| POPH90258 | Economics of Ageing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90246 | Law Enforcement and Public Health | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| POPH90247 | Non Communicable Disease & Global Health | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90257 | Body of Ageing | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90259 | End of Life Issues | No longer available | |
| POPH90266 | Leadership for an Ageing Workforce | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
| PAED90005 | Child Public Health | Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90230 | Planetary and Global Health | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90087 | Global Challenges in Adolescent Health | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| POPH90144 | Linear & Logistic Regression | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90069 | Sexual and Reproductive Health | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90093 | Economic Evaluation 1 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90111 | Genetic Epidemiology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90229 | Health Economics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90245 | Health Illness and Society | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90205 | Health Inequalities | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90090 | Health Program Evaluation 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90271 | Infectious Diseases Modelling | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| FOOD90040 | Nutrition Politics and Policy | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90275 | Population & Global Mental Health | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90068 | Prevention and Control of STIs and HIV | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90248 | Womb to Tomb: Life Course Public Health | No longer available | |
| POPH90291 | Indigenous Health in a Global Context | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90209 | Comparative Health Systems | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90088 | Disability and Global Development | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90191 | Practice of Public Health Leadership | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| POPH90145 | Survival Analysis & Regression for Rates | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90066 | Women and Global Health | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90086 | Global Child Health | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90260 | Ethics of Ageing | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| PSYT90092 | Mental Health and Ageing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90264 | Global Population Ageing | Term 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90273 | Shifting Paradigms in Ageing | Term 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90267 | Ageing Health & Human Services |
Term 1 (Online)
Term 3 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| ABPL90377 | Design for Ageing | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90263 | Technology and Ageing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90058 | Health Program Evaluation 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ISYS90069 | eHealth & Biomedical Informatics Systems |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (Online)
|
12.5 |
| POPH90242 | Epidemiology 2 | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90190 | HIV and AIDS:An Evolving Global Response | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90131 | Primary Health Care and Global Health | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90296 | Indigenous Health & History Insights | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| GEND90014 | No longer available |
CAPSTONE
There are 3 capstone options to choose from. The capstone experience should be undertaken in the final year or final semester of your Master of Public Health.
OPTION ONE
Students may apply to undertake either a 25 point supervised Research Project in their chosen field of specialisation. Students have the option of applying to enrol in a year-long research project (POPH90284 AND POPH90285) or a semester-long research project (POPH90255). Students enrolling in the year long project MUST complete the project in two semesters consecutively and in the correct sequence i.e. Part 1 followed by Part 2.
Students should be aware that they must complete a 25 point research project in order for the MPH to provide an entry pathway to the MPhil or PhD program.
Students entering the Master of Public Health from 2011 must have a weighted average mark of at least 70% across relevant subjects to be eligible to enrol in the research project. Successful research project applicants will be selected on the basis of academic merit.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90284 | Research Project in Public Health Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| POPH90285 | Research Project in Public Health Part 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| POPH90255 | Research Project in Public Health - S |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
OPTION TWO
Students may apply to undertake either a 25 point supervised Professional Practice Unit (PPU). Students have the option of applying to enrol in a year-long PPU (POPH90286 AND POPH90287) or a semester-long PPU (POPH90239). Students enrolling in the year long PPU MUST complete in two semesters consecutively and in the correct sequence i.e. Part 1 followed by Part 2.
Limitations on student numbers apply so please ensure you have a back up plan (that is, a second capstone preference) in case you are not accepted into the Professional Practice Unit.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90286 | Professional Practice - Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| POPH90287 | Professional Practice - Part 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| POPH90239 | Professional Practice - S |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
OPTION THREE
Students who choose this option must enrol in the following capstone selective subject and select an additional elective from those offered in the Master of Public Health:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90227 | Public Health in Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EXIT POINT
To be eligible for the Graduate Diploma in Public Health students must complete one of the following:
Students who commenced the MPH prior to 2017:
- Five core 12.50 points Master of Public Health subjects (POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health, POPH90014 Epidemiology 1, POPH90013 Biostatistics, POPH90231 Surveys and Qualitative Methods, POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Management) and three Master of Public health 12.50 elective subjects of the students choosing.
OR
- If an exemption is granted for POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health then students must complete four core 12.50 points Master of Public Health subjects (POPH90014 Epidemiology 1, POPH90013 Biostatistics, POPH90231 Surveys and Qualitative Methods, POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Management) and four Master of Public health 12.50 elective subjects of the student’s choosing.
Students who commenced the MPH from 2017 onward:
- Five core 12.5 point Master of Public Health subjects (POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health, POPH90014 Epidemiology 1, POPH90013 Biostatistics, POPH90231 Qualitative Research in Public Health, POPH90274 Prioritising & Planning in Public Health) and three Master of Public Health 12.5 point elective subjects of the student's choosing.
OR
- If an exemption is granted for POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health then students must complete four core 12.5 point Master of Public Health subjects (POPH90014 Epidemiology 1, POPH90013 Biostatistics, POPH90231 Qualitative Research in Public Health, POPH90274 Prioritising & Planning in Public Health) and four Master of Public Health 12.5 point elective subjects of the student’s choosing.
Majors, minors & specialisations
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALISATIONS
The following are recommended subject combinations for specialisations within the MPH. These are guides and are not prescriptive, however students should check to see if specific research projects have set prerequisite subjects. Students may obtain assistance in putting together their own interdisciplinary course plans from the course coordinator during organised enrolment sessions at the beginning of each year, or by appointment throughout the year.
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - DOCTOR OF MEDICINE SPECIALISATION
The Master of Public Health with a Doctor of Medicine Specialisation is offered to students enrolled in the Docotor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. This program is designed for those students who wish to combine future medical practice with work that protects and improves the health of communities through education, primary prevention, reform and research. This recognizes the need to produce outstanding graduates that have the ability to address growing disparities in health care, health promotion and the global burden of disease. The MD/MPH is fully integrated, allowing students to undertake the MPH between the third and fourth year of the MD program so that they might develop public health interests as an integral part of their medical training.
Mid Year Entry: No
Duration: 1 Year Full Time
Quota: Yes
| Name | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Medicine |
Last updated: 7 December 2023