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Health, Gender and Society
Master of Public HealthInformal specialisationYear: 2025
Health, Gender and Society
Overview
It is well established that deep social inequalities undermine public health in societies across the globe. These inequalities shape health outcomes, the experience of and access to health care, and the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. In this specialisation you will learn how intersecting social structures and processes like colonialism and racism, patriarchy, capitalism and ableism drive disparities in health. You will acquire tools to conduct meaningful research with communities to address wicked health problems and to jointly develop health interventions with the communities that have the most at stake in them. In this specialisation you will develop knowledge and skills in community engagement and health advocacy that look beyond notions of individual behaviour change to addressing the causes of inequity, and in developing solutions that contribute to fairer and healthier societies. You will have the option of conducting a research project in an area of your interest with an expert in health sociology, medical anthropology, community psychology, social epidemiology, gender, women’s health, ethics, disability, justice health and children’s participation. Possible roles open to students who complete this specialisation include health promotion officer, community development officer, community health and engagement officer, environmental health officer, health policy adviser, technical adviser and research officer. Organisations employing graduates with the skills developed in this specialisation are diverse. Past graduates have gone on to positions with local, state/provincial and federal governments; national and international non-government organisations; community-based organisations; UN agencies; think tanks and advocacy organisations; universities and research institutes; health and social care service providers; as consultants in the private sector; and to entry into higher degree research programs.
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 |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90201 | Community Engagement for Health Impact | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90199 | Gender and Health | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90300 | Health and Social Justice | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90200 | Advanced Qualitative Health Research | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Other Electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90205 | Social Determinants of Health Inequality | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90066 | Women and Global Health | September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90291 | Indigenous Health in a Global Context | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90296 | Indigenous Health & History Insights | No longer available | |
POPH90270 | Bioethics in Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90189 | Health Program Design & Implementation | February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90020 | Health Promotion | September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90297 | Preventing Violence Against Women | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
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
Last updated: 13 February 2025