Graduate Diploma in Public Health

A wide range of career opportunities are available to graduates of Public Health programs in Australia. According to a recent public health workforce study, these opportunities are typically within the public or not-for-profit sector; however, one-quarter of postgraduate public health graduates are employed in the private sector.

Approximately half of all postgraduate public health graduates are employed within the health sector, with others finding opportunities within education, government and services sectors.

Managerial, analytical and program-/project-based roles are common destinations for postgraduate public health graduates. For many health practitioners, particularly medical practitioners or registered nurses, a postgraduate public health degree expands their career opportunities within their existing field (eg different roles or modes of practice).

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have:

• a Bachelor degree (or higher) or equivalent

Work and Life

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

English Proficiency Requirements

Students must meet English Language requirements as follows:

• IELTS: Overall score 6.5, Individual score of 6.0 in all test
• PTE: 58 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
• TOEFL: Internet based total of 79: minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
• ACU English Language Test: B (65-74%)
• CAE: Overall CAE of 176, Minimum individual score of 169 in all tests

ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 4 subjects (40cp).

For further information see https://www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/credit-and-prior-learning.

ACU’s Graduate Diploma in Public Health equips graduates with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills in public health to improve population health and well-being. The degree prepares graduates to practice with a community, national or global focus, and with an ethical, social justice perspective.

On successful completion of the degree, graduates should be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge across major subject areas within public health; analyse and utilise best available evidence to support public health action; and demonstrate skills needed to critique and implement a range of public health interventions.

Articulation from this course into the Master of Public Health program is available.

ACU’s Graduate Diploma in Public Health program is distinguished by:

• Study options and flexibility to meet the needs of postgraduate students who are also working; for example, full-/part-time study, on-campus or online study mode, intensive unit teaching schedules (including weekends);
• A curriculum designed with reference to Australian and international conceptual frameworks for public health;
• A focus on illustrating theory with relevant, practical examples of established and emergent public health issues and contemporary social issues with substantial health impacts, such as family violence, homelessness and cyber-/workplace bullying;
• Assessment tasks designed to simulate practice-relevant data, situations, problems or issues, with students assessed on their responses as public health practitioners;
• An articulation option from this program into the ACU Master of Public Health. Successful completion of all units in this program allows articulation into second-year Master of Public Health studies, with a choice of completion via the Research Pathway (involving additional research training and preparation of a minor research thesis) or by Capstone Pathway (involving a practice-based project or other approved fieldwork/project/experience). Students articulating into the Master of Public Health from this program may also chose to undertake the Global Health & Advocacy specialisation;
• Alignment of public health’s professional values with ACU’s Mission; for example, striving to achieve prevention of illness and improved, equitable health outcomes for all people (public health practice) with the pursuit of the dignity of the human person and the common good (ACU’s Mission).

Recommended Study Pattern

Students are required to follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.

For this course students are allowed to enrol in up to 4 subjects per study term. To enrol in more than 3 subjects please contact us.

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 8 subjects from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.

Schedule of Unit Offering:

• Introduction to Health Sciences Research
• History and Principles of Public Health
• Health Promotion
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Determinants of Health
• Disease Prevention and Management
• Public Health Law and Policy

Award Requirements

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 8 subjects from the Schedule of Unit Offerings

Exit Points

A student who has completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Public Health may exit with the relevant award.

Submission of Application to Course Complete form to ACU