Health

Master of Public Health

Enjoy a respected career that is in constant demand.

This postgraduate Public Health course from Curtin University is a multidisciplinary postgraduate qualification designed for current professionals and those interested in a career in the public health field. Study a broad range of public health units including research, critical evaluation of public health issues and information analysis. This online course gives you the option to specialise in a major subject to further develop knowledge and skills in the public health area.

Overview

Level of study: What does Postgraduate mean?

Postgraduate

Number of units: What are units?

16 units

How to enrol

  1. This course has restricted enrolment. You must apply and be accepted before you can enrol in units.
Check eligibility
How to apply

Units in this course

View Units

The Master of Public Health is a multidisciplinary health course designed for public health practitioners and others wanting to develop skills and knowledge in public health. Many prospective students come from a variety of fields including: medicine, nursing, psychology, physiotherapy, pharmacy, dentistry, biomedical and lab based sciences, nutrition, occupational therapy, occupational health, environmental health, health promotion, statistics and management among others. Students undertake a number of core units covering a broad range of public health issues combined with specialist knowledge in one major discipline at the master’s level. As part of the Master of Public Health course, students undertake a research project in their chosen major.

Students can enter the course at three levels, the Graduate Certificate in Public Health; the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health; or the Master of Public Health. The course structure is integrated to enable students to move from the Graduate Certificate level to the Postgraduate Diploma level and/or to the Master of Public Health.

Course Objectives

On completion of the course students will be able to:

  • Apply discipline-specific knowledge in an area of public health
  • Demonstrate critical thinking in evaluating solutions to public health issues
  • Access and critically analyse information drawn from a variety of sources
  • Communicate effectively on public health issues keeping in mind the audience that the information is aimed at
  • Demonstrate the capacity to apply current technologies applicable to public health
  • Critically reflect on the impact of inequalities and social disadvantage on the health of individuals and communities
  • Demonstrate effective self management skills that contribute to development of lifelong learning skills
  • Apply ethically appropriate research skills to public health problems generating appropriate and culturally sensitive responses to it

Career Outcomes

The qualification Master of Public Health has international recognition in the Health Industry.

Eligibility

Master of Public Health

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health

To be eligible for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or directly into the Master of Public Health applicants need to have completed either:

1. Academic
an undergraduate degree or its equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution preferably in a health related or behavioural science area.

OR

2. Graduate Certificate
One of the following Graduate Certificates with a course weighted average of at least 65:
Graduate Certificate in Public Health, Graduate Certificate in Health Industry Management, Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, Graduate Certificate in Children’s Environmental Health or the Graduate Certificate in International Health.

OR

3. Postgraduate Diploma
One of the following Postgraduate Diplomas with a course weighted average of at least 65:
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, Postgraduate Diploma in Health Industry Management or the Postgraduate Diploma in International Health.

English Language Proficiency Requirements
Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all courses are taught in English. If your education qualifications were not predominantly in English, the minimum English language requirements are:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): with a minimum overall score of 6.5 (with no component score lower than 6.0).

How to Apply

This course is restricted. Students are required to apply and be approved by Curtin University before they can enrol in units through OUA.

Applications for the Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters of Public Health are due two weeks prior to the close of enrolment.

Please complete the application form below.

  1. Read information requirements

    • Select to apply for one or more courses listed on the application form, taking note of the eligibility criteria for each course. If you want to apply for a (restricted) course with a different university, you'll need to submit a separate application from the relevant course page.

    • Read all parts of the application form in advance:

      Receive a faster response by ensuring you have all the required information ready before you start. If you have a web account, sign in first to pre-fill personal details we already have for you on record.

      If you do not have a web account, you'll need to register one within the application form. Once you've registered an account, you'll then be signed in. From here you can choose to complete your application and submit it, or save and return to it later.

      Completing this application should take 15 to 20 minutes.

    • Need help completing your application? Contact us:

      If in doubt about any of the information required to support your application, the more information you can provide the better. If you have any academic queries including how to request credit transfer, contact Curtin University directly. For all other enquiries, contact us.

    • Next steps:

      After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email containing a copy of your application for your records.

      Your application will be assessed within 2-4 weeks, and if further information is required, we will contact you. Once your application has been assessed, we will be in touch via email to notify you of the outcome. At the latest this will be one week after the closing date for applications.

      If, after submitting your application, you wish to change your preferences or submit an additional document, please email apply@open.edu.au. Include your full name as it appeared on the application.

  2. Prepare supporting documents

    • Check that you have all the required documents, according to individual course requirements and your personal circumstances, specifically:

      1. Your curriculum vitae - required for entry into postgraduate courses only.
      2. Certified copies of academic transcripts - required in most cases but check course eligibility rules.
      3. A letter of recommendation from your employer on company letterhead - recommended for entry using work experience.
      4. Certified legal documentation - if you have changed your name e.g. a marriage certificate, deed poll name change certificate.
      5. Certified legal documentation - if you need to correct an error in your date of birth e.g. a birth certificate.
      6. English language test results - if your courses were not predominantly in English e.g. IELTS or equivalent test results.
      7. Official translations of any documents not in English.

      A "certified" copy is a copy bearing the recognised mark of a Justice of the Peace, Commission of Oaths or declarations, Public Notary or a Solicitor.

    • Create an electronic copy of your attachments:

      For each certified document, scan and save it on your computer. Save your curriculum vitae to your computer, then get ready to upload all documents in the form.

    • Do not send original documents as they will not be returned.

Then submit your application in one of two ways:

Apply online

Alternatively, you can download, print and email/fax your application:

Curtin_Postgraduate_Application_Form (PDF, 233 KB)

PDF applications should be emailed to: apply@open.edu.au or faxed to: +61 3 8628 2989.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Master of Public Health students must complete 16 units or equivalent.

Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit

Available according to Curtin University policy. Students who have completed one of the Graduate Certificates may apply for their units to be credited towards further study in the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Public Health. Students who have studied similar units at other Universities may apply for Credit. Students are encouraged to contact the course coordinator for further information and guidance regarding RPL applications.

Recommended Study Pattern

Please note: Students should check for any prerequisites before enrolling in any units. There are three groups of units that Master of Public Health students must complete:

Core units
Students should complete all eight public health core units (also available as the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health)

Major units
Students should select one of the public health majors listed below and complete six major units.

Research unit
Students should complete their studies with MPH600 Research Project (double unit).

Course Structure

Majors

 Select one of these Majors:

  • Public Health
  • Health Promotion
  • Environmental Health
  • Nutrition
  • Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics
  • Health Policy and Management
Core Public Health units Total number of units to complete: 8 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following 8 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin

* These units have prerequisites, students should ensure that they have studied the required units before enrolling.

Master of Public Health students should complete these eight core units from the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health before starting their major units below.
Major - Public Health Total number of units to complete: 6 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Students must complete one unit from each of three Majors: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Health Promotion; Health Policy and Management plus any three MPH units.
Major - Health Promotion Total number of units to complete: 6 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Optional Units: Complete 6 units from the following 7 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin

* These units have prerequisites, students should ensure that they have studied the required units before enrolling.

Major - Environmental Health Total number of units to complete: 6 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Optional Units: Complete 6 units from the following 7 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Major - Nutrition Total number of units to complete: 6 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following 4 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Optional Units: Complete 2 units from the following 4 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin

* These units have prerequisites, students should ensure that they have studied the required units before enrolling.

Major - Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics Total number of units to complete: 6 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following 5 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Optional Units: Complete 1 unit from the following 2 units
Curtin
Curtin

* These units have prerequisites, students should ensure that they have studied the required units before enrolling.

Major - Health Policy and Management Total number of units to complete: 6 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following 6 units
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Curtin
Research Project - double unit Total number of units to complete: 1 unit
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following unit
Curtin

* Students should complete all core and major units before enrolling in MPH600 Research Project.