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Gerontology
Master of Public HealthInformal specialisationYear: 2025
Gerontology
Overview
Students specialising in Gerontology will acquire knowledge and skills in both the theory and practice of multi-disciplinary aspects of ageing according to the subjects selected. As populations and workforces age, the demand for skilled professionals will continue to increase rapidly. A Gerontology specialisation will give MPH students an edge in that area of the employment market. The gerontology subjects are designed to provide an overview of ageing societies from different disciplines and engage with examples from around the world. Students will identify and discuss current and key challenges in ageing from a global perspective. They will develop an informed understanding of gerontological research principles, concepts and methods and will learn to articulate the ways in which age, gender, ethnicity and indigenous status, society, culture, geography, the environment, disability and socio-economic status influence the ageing experience. Systems, structures and policies that address ageing in Australia and other countries are examined, along with strategies aimed to promote healthy and productive ageing across the lifespan. Students will be challenged to apply comprehensive knowledge of the ageing experience from conceptual and practical dimensions of the course in developing solutions to complex ageing issues.
Last updated: 13 February 2025
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 Pathway:
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 Pathway:
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
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90217 | Foundations of Public Health | February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90013 | Biostatistics |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
POPH90218 | Public Health Leadership and Management | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90231 | Qualitative Research in Public Health |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
POPH90274 | Prioritising & Planning in Public Health | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Highly Recommended Electives*
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90264 | Global Population Ageing | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
POPH90260 | Ethics of Ageing and End of Life | No longer available | |
PSYT90092 | Mental Health and Ageing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90258 | Economics of Ageing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
*The highly recommended electives meet the requirements for working in this field and can be different to the electives required to complete a research project in this area.
Other Recommended Electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90273 | Leading Change in Ageing | No longer available | |
POPH90267 | Ageing Health & Human Services | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90256 | Ageing in Society | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
ABPL90377 | Design for Ageing | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
POPH90257 | Body of Ageing | Term 3 (Online) |
12.5 |
Capstone
There are three Capstone options to choose from - please refer to the Course Entry for detailed information on each of these:
- Research Project
- Professional Practice Unit
- Capstone selective subject and an additional elective
Pre-requisite Subjects for the Research Project Option
Please refer to the Subject Entries below for detailed information on the research project pre-requisites for this specialisation
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90284 | Research Project in Public Health Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
POPH90285 | Research Project in Public Health Part 2 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90255 | Research Project in Public Health - S |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
25 |
Last updated: 13 February 2025