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.
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Entry Requirements
For those who are based in Adelaide, we will be offering a blended delivery mode that combines face-to-face with remote learning in as many courses as possible, taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene. All lectures will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions.
For our students who are studying offshore for the remainder of the 2020 Academic Year, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely. 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.
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
Graduate entry
Higher Education Study A completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a GPA of 5.0 or better. How to Apply
SATAC Code: 3CM181
International applicants
Not an international applicant?
CRICOS 081148J Intake February and July Selection Criteria
English Language Requirements
Australian Year 12 Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject English Tests accepted by the University of Adelaide IELTS Overall 6.5 Reading 6 Listening 6 Speaking 6 Writing 6 TOEFL Overall 79 Reading 13 Listening 13 Speaking 18 Writing 21 Pearson Overall 58 Reading 50 Listening 50 Speaking 50 Writing 50 C1 Advanced Overall 176 Reading 169 Listening 169 Speaking 169 Writing 169 Qualifications that meet minimum English requirements A range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements Academic Entry Requirements
More InformationTertiary Qualifications Bachelor degree or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0. How to Apply
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Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:International applicants
Not an international applicant?
Indicative annual tuition fees (24 units) International student place: $38,000 Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
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Careers
Career Readiness
Students choosing the practice pathways of the two specialisations undertake a work-based learning experience to ensure mastery of public health knowledge and skills is contextualised in real-world applications.
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
The MPH Professional Practice Placement is a semester-long course of 12 units in the Public Health specialisation, and 3 units in the practice focus stream of the Population Oral Health specialisation. Students are placed with a host organisation to undertake a real-world public health project in an applied setting.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
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Degree Structure
The Masters of Public Health is offered in two formats: the Conversion Program of 48 units and the Extension Program of 36 or 24 units.
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
Indicative study plan | Public Health Specialisation conversion Program (48 Units) Year 1
PUB HLTH 7075 Introduction to Epidemiology
PUB HLTH 7074 Introduction to Biostatistics
PUB HLTH 7090 Global Public Health
PUB HLTH 7113 Environmental and Occupational Health
PUB HLTH 7093 Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations
PUB HLTH 7091 Knowing What Works - Evaluation for Public HealthSummer PUB HLTH 7092 Leadership and Advocacy for Public Health Action Year 2 Professional Practice Placement OR MPH Dissertation + choose 5 electives
Or MPH Thesis Part A and MPH Thesis Part B + choose 1 electiveStudents 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
Assessment will be based on a combination of oral presentations, practical assignments, tutorial participation and written examinations. Both face-to-face and online methodologies will be used. -
Related Degrees
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Further Information
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: Friday, 16 Oct 2020
