Master of Public Health
Tackle real-world health problems and protect your community
Our Master of Public Health offers a simplified two-year path to working—and making a difference—in the health sector.
Equipped with an in-depth knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics, communicable diseases and global public health, you will be able to impact the health of your community by influencing policy or advocating for change at a population level.
Open up new career opportunities and work alongside other health professionals in a non-clinical setting to make our society healthier and safer.
What will you do?
- Develop specialist knowledge of practice and policy.
- Connect with mentors, active researchers, practitioners and policymakers.
- Learn strong problem-solving and research skills.
- Gain hands-on experience in real-life settings.
- Build professional networks.
- Tailor your study to personal goals and aspirations.
Specialisations are offered in:
- Public Health
- Population Oral Health
Where could it take you?
You could work with communities to manage local health problems or keep the nation informed during times of crisis. You might design and implement educational campaigns and health programs. Perhaps you’ll advise on policy or be a research officer for clinical trials.
Entry Requirements
For our students who are studying offshore in 2021 and 2022, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely for most programs. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses. Please refer to the COVID-19 FAQ page for a list of programs where in-person attendance is required.
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 3CM181 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
| Enquiries | Future Students team |
Selection Criteria
| Higher Education Study | A completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a GPA of 5.0 or better. |
|---|
How to Apply
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
HELP Loans
This program is an Australian full-fee program. The Commonwealth Government has a HELP Loan called FEE-HELP that you may be eligible for to pay part or all of your tuition fees.
FEE-HELP eligibility criteria and further information is available at: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/finance/assistance/help/fee/
Careers
Career Readiness
Students interact with our extensive network of alumni, working in public health locally, nationally and internationally, via a specialised mentoring program which matches students with experienced practitioners to assist in their career planning and direction setting.
We work with each student to select the specialisation or combinations of electives to develop a customised study plan which aligns with their interests and career aspirations.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Industry Placement
Potential careers
International Development Worker, Ministerial Adviser, Non Government Organisation Worker, Clinical Studies Coordinator, Community Development Officer, Data Analyst, Database Coordinator, Policy Adviser, Development Officer, Project Development Manager, Project Manager, Project Officer, Education Officer / Educator, Public Health, Public Health Management, Public Health Officer, Public Servant, Health Promotion Professional
Degree Structure
The Masters Conversion Program is a 48 unit program consisting of at least 24 units of coursework and a research or capstone project of 6, 12, or 24 units (depending on specialisation and pathway chosen).
There are two specialisations in the Conversion Program:
Public Health
Population Oral Health
The Masters Extension Program is either 36 or 24 units available to graduates of Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (or equivalent degrees) with a public health major, honours in Public Health, or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery. The Extension program is only available in the Public Health Specialisation.
Public Health specialisation
The public health specialisation equips graduates with the broad knowledge base in core public health disciplines including epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioural health sciences, environmental and occupational health sciences, global public health and health systems service and management, and the skills and experiences needed to think critically, work collaboratively, advocate for change and creatively solve complex problems to make a difference to the health of whole populations.
Public Health subjects:
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Global Public Health
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations
- Knowing What Works - Evaluation for Public Health
- Leadership and Advocacy for Public Health Action
- Professional Practice Placement or Dissertation or Thesis
- choice of electives.
Students in the Conversion Program are required to complete the following:
7 core courses AND 5 electives AND a capstone consisting of the Professional Practice Placement OR a dissertation;
or
7 core courses AND 1 elective AND a thesis
Students in the Extension Program are required to complete the following:
Up to 6 core courses AND up to 4 electives AND a capstone consisting of the Professional Practice Placement OR dissertation (36 unit extension program);
or
4 core courses AND 1 elective AND a work-integrated research project and linked methods course (24 unit extension program)
Students in the extension programs will be advised about which core and elective courses they must complete depending on their previous undergraduate study.
Population Oral Health Sciences specialisation
The population oral health specialisation equips graduates with the knowledge and skills they will need to think creatively about the many individual, family, community, environmental and dental system factors associated with the oral health of populations. The courses offered in the specialisation are intended to equip graduates for careers in public health dentistry or to broaden the population oral health orientation of their current work for those with established careers.
Population Oral Health Subjects:
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Introduction to Biostatistics
Dental Public Health
Choice of 2 courses from: - Global Public Health
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations
- Knowing what works - Evaluation for Public Health
- Leadership and Advocacy for Public Health Action
Choice of 3 courses from: - Prevention of Oral Disease
- Oral Health Policy
- Indigenous Oral Health
- Oral Epidemiology
- Societal Determinants of Oral Health
- Research pathway
- Population Oral Health Thesis
Practice Pathway - Public Health Practicum
- Leadership and Advocacy for Public Health Action
- Population Oral Health Dissertation
- choice of electives.
There are 2 pathways in the Population Oral Health Specialisation:
Research Pathway; 8 core courses (selected from Public Health and Population Oral Health core) AND a thesis
Practice Pathway: 9 core courses AND a practicum AND a dissertation AND 2 electives.
Electives
Please note: only some of these electives below will be taught each year. The choice of electives will depend on the student’s chosen pathway.
- Knowing what works - Evaluation for Public Health
- Leadership and Advocacy for Public Health Action
- Qualitative Research Methods in Health
- Health Economics
- Dental Public Health
- Occupational Hygiene and Ergonomics
- Health Economic Evaluation & Decision Making
- Biostatistics
- Diseases of Occupation
- Toxicology and Safety Management
- Epidemiological Research Methods
- Public Health Ethics
- Health Technology Assessment 3
- Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care
- Synthesising Economic Evidence
- Synthesising Qualitative Evidence
- Clinical Wisdom in Evidence-based Practice
- Developing Clinical Guidelines
- Developing a Research Proposal
- Prevention of Oral Disease
- Oral Health Policy
- Indigenous Oral Health
- Oral Epidemiology
- Societal Determinants of Oral Health.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Example Study Plan
| Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
| Summer PUB HLTH 7092 Leadership and Advocacy for Public Health Action | |
| Year 2 |
Professional Practice Placement OR MPH Dissertation + choose 5 electives |
Students in the extension program will be advised about which core and elective courses they must complete depending on their previous graduate study.
| OR other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University or another university which the Faculty approves in lieu of elective courses to the value of 6 units. |
Assessment
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The Master of Public Health allows you to experience a wide range of topics within the field of public health. The research support and mentoring I received was a hugely positive experience as a young researcher.
I was continually inspired by the passion of my supervisory panel and their commitment to improving the lives of young people. I've also established connections with some of the world's leading epidemiologists and public health researchers.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Tuesday, 14 Sep 2021
