Handbook home
Health Policy, Systems and Practice
Master of Public HealthInformal specialisationYear: 2025
Health Policy, Systems and Practice
Overview
Students undertaking subjects from this specialisation will train to work in the fields of health policy development, health program design, and health system strengthening. All health interventions require changes in health systems and policy, and students who undertake this specialisation will: learn approaches to improve health and reduce health inequity through the development and improvement of programs and systems; gain a deep understanding of the role and influence of the broad policy environment; and develop skills to analyse policy options and their impact on health and wellbeing. Within this specialisation students will learn about comparative methods to analyse and respond to a wide range of global public health issues. Possible roles in the field include Policy Officer, Health Promotion Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Project Officer, Community Engagement Officer, Government Health Systems and Policy Advisor, and Health Policy/Systems/Program Researcher. Organisations that employ people with these skills include national, regional, state/provincial, and local governments; globally and locally focused non-government and community based organisations; health care services providers; private sector organisations and research bodies; and international agencies e.g., UN Agencies, World Health Organization.
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 |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90206 | Health Policy | March (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90020 | Health Promotion | September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90058 | Health Program Evaluation 1 | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90209 | Comparative Health Systems | August (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90307 | Health System Transformation | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
Other Recommended Electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90093 | Introduction to Economic Evaluation | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90094 | Health Economics 1 | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90189 | Health Program Design & Implementation | February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90040 | Nutrition Politics and Policy | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90244 | Health and Human Rights | April (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90247 | Non Communicable Disease & Global Health | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90205 | Social Determinants of Health Inequality | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
POPH90191 | Practice of Public Health Leadership | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
POPH90256 | Ageing in Society | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
PSYT90092 | Mental Health and Ageing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90273 | Leading Change in Ageing | No longer available |
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90302 | Introduction to Health Services Research | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90088 | Disability in Policy and Practice | March (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90303 | Climate Change and Health | March (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90304 | Sustainability and Healthcare | May (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
INFO90011 | Digital Learning Health Systems | Semester 1 (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 & an additional elective
Last updated: 13 February 2025