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  3. Applied Program Development

Applied Program Development (POPH90274)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online and On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Online
Semester 2 - On Campus
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This is a core subject of the Master of Public Health (244CW).

In this unit students will be introduced to the concepts, frameworks and methods used to plan, implement and evaluate public health programs. This unit will introduce students to the conceptual approaches and key methods used to conduct a health needs assessment and prioritise the identified needs for subsequent strategic planning. The unit will also explore the strategies and intervention types that are commonly used to address health needs in populations and the criteria that can be used to select an appropriate intervention. Finally, the subject will consider essential concepts in the design and evaluation of health programs.
 
Within this subject, students will have the opportunity to apply the skills learnt to public health scenarios drawn from Australian and international case-studies. The material in this subject is highly relevant in day-to-day public health practice.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to: 

  • Design situation analyses and health needs assessments
  • Prioritise the health needs of international, national, subnational and local communities
  • Explain the broad strategies used for addressing health needs, and the types of interventions associated with each strategy.
  • Prioritise and select strategies and interventions to address health needs
  • Describe the significance of evaluation in a program plan and identify the major approaches to evaluation in public health
  • Design and implement strategies to facilitate respectful engagement with people of different cultures in the identification and prioritisation of community needs and the selection of culturally appropriate interventions
  • Design and implement effective strategies for the advocacy of public health evidence

Generic skills

Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:

  • Working with others and in teams
  • Problem-solving
  • Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
  • Initiative, autonomy and organization
  • Oral communication

Last updated: 6 November 2025