- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Master of Public Health | 2018
Testamur Title of Degree: | Master of Public Health |
Abbreviation: | MPubHlth |
UOW Course Code: | 438 |
CRICOS Code: | 084771F |
Total Credit Points: | 72 |
Duration: | 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Home Faculty: | Faculty of Social Sciences |
Intake Session(s): | Autumn, Spring |
Delivery Mode: | On-campus, Distance |
Delivery Campus / UAC Code: | Wollongong / 935100 |
Overview
The Master of Public Health 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 levels. The degree is composed of six core public health subjects; plus three subjects from a selected specialisation. The specialisations available are Health Promotion, Public Health Nutrition* and Social Marketing for Health**.
Selected subjects can be taken as a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (UOW Course Code 1130) - see Course description in the Handbook. The Health Promotion specialisation can also be completed as a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion (UOW Course Code 1183). This allows students to tailor their learning to their career aspirations.
*Public Health Nutrition is not available by distance delivery.
** Social Marketing for Health is not available for 2018.
Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements
Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to demonstrate:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
To qualify for award of the degree, the Master of Public Health, a candidate must successfully complete at least 72 credit points, comprised of
- 48 credit points of core public health subjects; and
- 24 credit points from one of the following specialisations:
- Health Promotion
- Public Health Nutrition*
- Social Marketing for Health (Not available for new enrolments in 2018)
All specialisations have prescribed subjects so it is important you make your selection early and then follow the recommended subjects each session.
*The Public Health Nutrition specialisation is only available to students with a 3-year undergraduate bachelor degree in nutrition or equivalent.
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:
- Students who complete the following 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
- Students who complete the 24cp in the Health Promotion specialisation can apply to exit the Masters with a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion (UOW Course Code 1183).
All subjects are available in both on-campus and distance mode, except for those in the Public Health Nutrition specialisation which are taught in flexible delivery mode with on-campus workshops.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students are required to complete the following core subjects (48cp): | |||
| HAS 911 | Contemporary Public Health Issues II ^ | 8 | Autumn, Spring |
| HAS 913 | Social Determinants of Health II | 8 | Autumn |
| HAS 915 | Public Health Policy II | 8 | Spring |
| HAS 920 | Introduction to Epidemiology and Statistics II | 8 | Autumn |
| HAS 921 | Health Research Methodology II | 8 | Spring |
| Plus ONE of the following core subjects: | |||
| HAS 904 | Independent Study ** | 8 | Autumn, Spring |
| HAS 922 | Epidemiology & Statistics III | 8 | Autumn, Spring |
| Or one 8cp subject selected in consultation with the Academic Program Director which is relevant to the students' interests and specialisation | |||
| Students articulating from an approved Graduate Certificate program into the Master of Public Health are also required to complete the following as an additional core subject: | |||
| HAS 912 | Advanced Studies in Public Health | 8 | Not available in 2018 |
| Plus 24 credit points from one of the following specialisations: | |||
| Health Promotion Specialisation*** | |||
| HAS 914 | Health Promotion II | 8 | Autumn |
| HAS 910 | Health Promotion Competencies II | 8 | Spring |
| Plus one 8cp elective subject selected in consultation with the Academic Program Director | |||
| Public Health Nutrition Specialisation | |||
| HAS 936 | Public Health Nutrition | 8 | Autumn |
| HAS 937 | Nutrition Promotion | 8 | Spring |
| HAS 938 | Food & Nutrition Monitoring and Surveillance | 8 | Spring |
| The Public Health Nutrition specialisation is only available to students with a 3-year undergraduate Bachelor degree in Nutrition or equivalent. | |||
^ HAS 911 must be completed in the first session of enrolment.
** HAS 904 can only be completed in the last session of enrolment.
***Health Promotion is available via on-campus or distance delivery mode. International students in Australia on a student visa who are studying ons*hore cannot enrol in more than 25% of their total course by distance as per ESOS legislation.
For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.
Professional Recognition/Accreditation
Graduates of the Master of Public Health may apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association and the Public Health Association of Australia.
Other Information
For further information email: ssc@uow.edu.au