Master of Public Health (Global Health and Advocacy)

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

Approximately half of all MPH-GH&A)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 MPH graduates. For many health practitioners, particularly medical practitioners or registered nurses, an MPH-GH&A)degree expands their career opportunities within their existing field (e.g. different roles or modes of practice).

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

• not-for-profit organisations
• health education
• government
• health services
• project management

Professional recognition

Our Master of Public Health program has been designed around the Foundation Competencies for Master of Public Health 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 conceptual frameworks have also informed the Master of Public Health curriculum design.

Higher education

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.

Work and Life

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

• A minimum of two 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.

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

Practicum placement

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.

ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 8 subjects (80cp).

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

ACU’s Master of Public Health 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.

A uniquely ACU specialisation, global health is an increasingly important and active area of work for public health practitioners. If you are planning to focus on global health, our Master of Public Health program offers a specialisation in global health and advocacy during your second year. The Master of Public Health (Global Health and Advocacy) specialisation will give you the knowledge, skills and experience to practice effectively in the evolving professional landscape of global health.

Students may choose to complete their Master with specialisation 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).

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 (Global Health & Advocacy), 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. 80 cp Specified Research units;

ii. Project Stream:

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

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

Global Health and Advocacy Specified Research Pathway Units:

• Global Health and Sustainable Development
• Humanitarian Assistance and Health
• Global Nutrition and Food Security
• Health Advocacy
• Public Health Research Thesis A
• Public Health Research Thesis B

Global Health and Advocacy Specified Project Pathway Units:

• Global Health and Sustainable Development
• Humanitarian Assistance and Health
• Global Nutrition and Food Security
• Health Advocacy
• Prepartation for Practice
• Practice Placement

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Master of Public Health (Global Health & Advocacy), 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. 80 cp Specified Research units;

ii. Project Stream:

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

Exit Points

ACU - Graduate Certificate in Global Health

Choose your subjects

Majors

Two streams are available :

• Master of Public Health (Global Health and Advocacy) Research Stream
• Master of Public Health (Global Health and Advocacy) Project Stream

Electives

Project Pathway to select 2 electives from the following subjects:

• Organisational Culture and Management
• Quality and Safety in Health Care
• Leadership in Health Care
• Workforce Management
• Policy and Planning in Health Care
• Health Promotion and Social Inclusion
• Healthcare Ethics: Principles of Practice

Submission of Application to Course Complete form to ACU