Master of Public Health

Course aim

To equip graduates with specialised knowledge, understanding and skills in public health to improve and advance population health and well-being at community, national and global levels in an ethical, practice ready manner

On successful completion of the Master of Public Health, graduates should be able to:

1. Summarise advanced specialised knowledge across a range of subject areas within public health
2. Employ advanced communication and interpersonal skills, across a range of media, to support effective public health practice
3. Develop conceptual knowledge in which public health content knowledge is synthesised with the application of public health skills.
4. Develop, implement and evaluate innovative, best practice public health policy, programs and interventions, taking account of values such as respect for human rights, the dignity of the human person and commitment to social justice
5. Analyse, synthesise and utilise best available evidence to support public health action with an emphasis on rigorous intellectual inquiry and ethical, evidence-based practice
6. Design and apply a substantial public health research or practice-based project, drawing on advanced knowledge of applicable principles and methods

ACU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program equips graduates with specialised knowledge, understanding and skills in public health to improve and advance population health and well-being. ACU’s MPH prepares graduates to practice with a community, national or global focus, and with an ethical, social justice perspective.

ACU’s MPH allows students to develop advanced and specialised knowledge across the discipline of public health, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice, rigorous intellectual inquiry, innovation and thought leadership, and effective communication and advocacy skills.

Students may choose to complete their MPH through a Research Pathway (undertaking additional research training and completion of a minor thesis) or a Capstone Pathway (involving a capstone experience, such as a practice-based project). Elective units and a specialisation option are also available.

ACU’s MPH curriculum was designed around the the Foundation Competencies for MPH Graduates in Australia and the requirements of the Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (for medical practitioners specialising in public health). Other international competency and practice standards and competency frameworks have also informed ACU’s curriculum design.

Recommended study pattern

Students are required to follow the pattern of subject 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 Master of Public Health, a student must complete 160 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising of:

a. 80 cp specified Public Health Units (Part A); and

b. 80 cp Stream Units, consisting of either:

i. Research Stream:

1. 20 cp Elective units (Part B);
2. 60 cp Specified Research units (Part C);

ii. Project Stream:

1. 60 cp Elective units (Part B);
2. 20 cp Specified Project units (Part D)

Specified Public Health Units:

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

Specified Research Pathway Units:

• Qualitative Health Research

OR

• Quantitative Health Research

AND

• Healthcare Ethics: Principles of Practice
• Public Health Research Thesis A (20cp)
• Public Health Research Thesis B (20cp)

Specified Project Pathway Units:

• Peparation for Practice
• Practice Placement

Elective Units

• Quality and Safety in Healthcare
• Leadership in Health Care
• Workforce Management
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Global Health and Sustainable Development
• Humanitarian Assistance and Health
• Global Nutrition and Food Security
• Health Advocacy

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Public Health, a student must complete 160 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising of:

a. 80 cp specified Public Health Units ; and

b. 80 cp Stream Units, consisting of either:

i. Research Stream:

1. 20 cp Elective units;
2. 60 cp Specified Research units;

ii. Project Stream:

1. 60 cp Elective units;
2. 20 cp Specified Project units

Choose your subjects

Majors

Two streams are available :

• Master of Public Health Research Stream
• Master of Public Health Project Stream

Electives

Electives to be selected from the following - number of units will depend on course rules for the specified stream:

Elective Units

• Quality and Safety in Healthcare
• Leadership in Health Care
• Workforce Management
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Global Health and Sustainable Development
• Humanitarian Assistance and Health
• Global Nutrition and Food Security
• Health Advocacy

Exit points

ACU - Graduate Certificate in Public Health
ACU - Graduate Diploma in Public Health

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Public Health Subjects

• Research Pathway Subjects

• Project Pathway Subjects

• Public Health Electives

Submission of application form and appropriate supporting documents

Submission of Application to Course Complete form to ACU

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $42,100

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

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

• a Bachelor degree (or higher) or equivalent

OR

• successfully completed a Graduate Diploma in Public Health;

AND

• Either
  • a Grade point average of at least 4.2 on the ACU 7 point scale in a Bachelor degree; OR
  • a minimum of 2 years professional experience in health (or related field), including Honours or other postgraduate study in health; OR
  • suitable practical experience in public health, global health or humanitarian assistance to the satisfaction of the course coordinator.

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

If the applicant does not have a Bachelor degree (or higher) of equivalent, applicants may apply using the following for entry:

• a minimum of 2 years professional experience in health (or related field), including Honours or other postgraduate study in health;

OR

• suitable practical experience in public health, global health or humanitarian assistance to the satisfaction of the course coordinator.

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 80cp

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

A broad range of public health projects, activities or fieldwork can be undertaken in ACU-PUBH655, subject to approval of the Lecturer in Charge . These include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

• Project/activity: practice-based quality improvement; knowledge transfer; capacity building; program development, implementation, evaluation; policy analysis or advocacy activity; practice-focused research and reporting. Any project/activity undertaken must have a pre-defined, measurable output for a student to report on.
• Fieldwork: students may undertake fieldwork within their area of public health interest. Students must demonstrate that their fieldwork contributes to the health of the relevant community and/or improves the health program, service or system they are working in.

 As part of the learning and teaching strategy for the unit, students will undertake 150 hours of practice-/fieldwork-based activity, not including time spent organising their practice-based experiences or the preparation of assessment tasks for this unit. Where appropriate, students will incorporate an element of community engagement within their practice-based activity in order to demonstrate the relationship between public health practice and community engagement in enhancing the health, wellbeing and dignity of people and communities, especially those most marginalised and disadvantaged.

In general, project experiences will be undertaken by students on an individual basis. Group-based project experiences (e.g. international fieldwork opportunities) will be considered for ACU-PUBH655; however, the level of contribution from each group member will remain equivalent. In the event that an appropriate external placement is not available, an equivalent project will be offered.

Students are required to meet mandatory or other requirements as indicated by ACU or placement sites (e.g. vaccinations, Working with Children checks, CPR training, hand hygiene and others). Students are not permitted to conduct an external placement where they do not have a verified compliance status as appropriate by the first week of the semester of offering. ACU-PUBH649 provides students with guidance and opportunities to meet compliance requirements.