Graduate Certificate in Public Health

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Public Health will have specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of Public Health knowledge, including an understanding of the core areas of knowledge competencies of epidemiology, statistics, health systems and determinants of health that underpin the discipline of Public Health.

You will be prepared to move into a range of roles that require a public health specialisation, including medical administration, welfare centre management, environmental health management and public health promotion. You could work in local, state and federal governments, not-for-profit organisations, federal and state health agencies, international health organisations, health and welfare organisations and associations, community service providers and medical and health research organisations.

Professional recognition

The following professional bodies recognise graduates of this award:

• Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA)
• Australian Health Promotion Association
• International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE).

Higher education

To apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, a student must:

• hold any Bachelor degree (or higher) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing)OR hold a health-related diploma plus two years relevant work experience in the public health sector OR

VET studies

• hold a health-related diploma plus two years relevant work experience in the public health sector; OR

Work and Life

• have a minimum of five years equivalent full-time work experience in health practice and/or administration/management/leadership roles within health-related organisations and students would be expected to have career goals to work in public health-related organisations.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.

• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.

• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies

Develop or further your career in public health practice, research and management with a Graduate Certificate in Public Health, recognised nationally and internationally as the credential for a career in public health. With an understanding of how local, national and international health systems are structured and operate, you'll be capable of planning and delivering effective programs to address our most challenging health issues.

You will focus on the socio-ecological model of public health that emphasises and analyses the important interactions between the social, biological, economic and environmental determinants of health. Throughout, there is opportunity for you to apply this analytical skill set to research, plan, implement and evaluate population-based interventions that protect and promote health.

This graduate certificate provides you the opportunity to focus on the area of public health that interests you. The diverse range of core and electives courses in areas such as nutrition, health promotion, environmental health, climate change, program planning and health services management, ensures you can tailor your studies to your own circumstances and aspirations.

Recommended Study Pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Healthcare Systems

• Epidemiology: Principles and Practices

• Environment and Population Health

• Social Determinants of Health

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCertPH), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 30 credit points for the core subjects and
• gain 10 credit points from the listed elective subjects.