Master of Public Health

At the end of the program, students of the Master of Public Health can:

1. Apply cognitive, technical and interpretative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex psychosocial and health issues in authentic situations.
2. Apply communication and collaboration skills to design and implement contributions to public health practice and scholarship.
3. Demonstrate expert judgement and autonomy when initiating, planning and executing a substantial public health study.
4. Reflect critically on a complex body of public health knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of public health practice and scholarship.

Public health is a broad field which aims to improve and protect the health and well-being of the general population. As a public health practitioner, you can make a real difference to the lives of local, national and international communities.

Public health practitioners help individuals and communities to have greater control over their health and well-being, and to influence organisational and political environments in ways that lead to better health for all. They work across the lifespan, including the early years, child and adolescent health, and healthy aging to support population health.

We realise that public health is such a broad area, which is why this masters degree offers a variety of elective units to allow you to specialise in an area of interest. You will also work closely with public health industry professionals and complete research projects on current issues in public health, which will help form a personal portfolio of evidence to support your transition into the profession.

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 240 credit points.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Note: Students can only study one from: NUT5116 or NUT5114. NUT5116 - Students wishing to take this unit must have completed University studies in chemistry due to the scientific nature of the unit content and assessments. Please speak to the Unit Coordinator to discuss suitability before enrolling into the unit.

Please note: Most electives run every year, however, some only run once every two years. Some elective units may also run exclusively on-campus or online. Please refer to the ECU timetable for delivery schedules.

** Students who commence the degree mid-year will complete units in a different order and must seek advice from the Student Hub.

Exit points

Students who are unable to complete this degree may, with Course Coordinator approval, exit with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Public Health.

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

Indicative total fee $46,100

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.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to have an undergraduate or post graduate degree in any discipline, and must demonstrate their commitment to the field of public health. Evidence may include, but is not limited to: membership of a community or professional group dedicated to public health-related goals, publication of written work on a public health issue in the media or in a professional publication, volunteer or paid work experience in a community organisation that seeks to advance the interests of a disadvantaged population or equivalent.

Applications based on prior learning alone will not be considered.

Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of the following:

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline.

Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page (Band 4);
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page (Band 4)

If you have completed units of study at University, or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal. 

Some elective units may also run exclusively on-campus or online. Please refer to the ECU timetable for delivery schedules.