Master of Public Health Advanced

Overview

The Master of Public Health Advanced is a flexible degree designed to give students a broad introduction to public health while equipping them with the skills and knowledge to define, critically assess and resolve public health issues within a community.

The flexible and interest driven program allows students to develop, analyse and implement policy, plan and evaluate health services and programs whilst catering for their individual career goals. The program is structured in a manner that responds to the constantly changing health and social issues both at local and international level.

The following specialty streams are available:

• Health Promotion
• Social Marketing for Health
• Public Health Nutrition
• Work Health and Safety
• Health Informatics
• Research Skills and Application
• Major Project

The degree is designed to provide more options for graduate public health studies. It has the same structure of the Master of Public Health, with the additional requirement of a second specialty stream of advanced study comprising 24 credit points of either further coursework or research studies. This allows students to tailor their learning to their career aspirations.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Master of Public Health Advanced will be able to:

1. Critically examine the social and environmental determinants of health and disease - at local, national and international levels by drawing on currently available evidence-based research.
2. Monitor and evaluate available population health data- to assess the effectiveness of health and healthcare policies, interventions, programs and services; and to identify gaps and opportunities in service delivery, policy frameworks and program implementation.
3. Demonstrate strategic leadership - by applying and advocating for the core public health values of equity, sustainability and social justice when planning and developing health and healthcare policies, interventions and services.
4. Use quantitative and qualitative approaches - to construct and implement rigorous scientific inquiry to explore health issues and their determinants.
5. Draw on best practice principles and socio-ecological paradigms - to design innovative solutions with groups, communities and populations to improve health outcomes.
6. Work independently and as part of a team, across a range of sectors and in partnership with key stakeholders - in a way that is participatory, inclusive and collaborative, to plan, manage and evaluate interventions designed to advance health outcomes.
7. Effectively communicate health information and priority health issues - for groups, communities and populations to a wide range of audiences and using diverse media.
8. Conceptualise key issues and concepts related to a range of contemporary public health sub-disciplines.

Course Structure

The Master of Public Health Advanced requires the successful completion of 96 credit points comprising:

1. 48 credit points of core public health subjects;
2. 48 credit points from two of specialty streams (2 x 24cp):
   1. Some specialty streams have limited intakes. Consequently, commencing students must have their specialty stream choice approved by the Course Director prior to commencement;
   2. The Public Health Nutrition stream is only available to students with a 3-year undergraduate bachelor degree in nutrition or equivalent;
   3. The following research streams are available for students who achieve at least a credit grade (65%) in all core public health subjects:
      • Research skills and application
      • Major project.

The Health Promotion and Social Marketing for Health streams are available in both on-campus and distance mode in 2015.

Students who decide not to complete the Master of Public Health have the option to exit early with a Graduate Certificate. There are two options available:

1. Students who complete the 3 core subjects (24cp), HAS 911, HAS 913 and HAS 920 can apply to exit the Masters with a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (UOW Course Code 1130); or
2. Students who complete the 24cp in the Health Promotion stream can apply to exit the Masters with a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion (UOW Course Code 1183).

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

Graduates of the Master of Public Health Advanced may apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association and the Public Health Association of Australia.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au