School of Public Health and Community Medicine

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Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) at UNSW Sydney is widely recognised as essential for a career in population health, including health promotion, primary health care, policy formulation, research, and management of health programs. Many of our graduates occupy key positions in health departments, non-government organisations and universities in Australia and internationally.

Program Objectives

The Public Health program provides preparation for education, research and service in all aspects of public health. The program includes study in epidemiology, biostatistics, quantitative and qualitative research methods, health promotion, health policy and health services management, as well as many topical public health issues. It is designed to address the continuing education needs of specialists in public health as well as providing an orientation to public health issues and methods for health professionals.

Public Health Degree Options

Students may enrol in a general Master of Public Health degree or complete a specialisation (there are 9 specialisations to choose from), an extension degree (with research component), a dual degree or a dual degree (with research component). See Degrees for more information.

Program Mode

The School provides a great deal of flexibility for students to tailor their study options according to their needs. The MPH program can be undertaken either full-time or part-time. Courses are offered internally on campus with face-to-face teaching, or externally by distance mode using online teaching technologies. All courses offered by the School are available fully online which means our degrees can be completed from anywhere in the world. For some elective courses, there are optional workshops which are held at a residential school on campus, twice a year, one week before Term 1 and Term 3 starts. 

Public Health Degree Options

  • Specialisations (see Degree Specialisations for more information):
    • Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing
    • Ageing and Health
    • Epidemiology
    • Health Economic Evaluation
    • Health Promotion
    • Infectious Diseases Control
    • International Health
    • Primary Health Care
    • Public Security
    • Social Research
 

Articulation

The Masters’ program articulates with the Graduate Diploma and the Graduate Certificate. Credit for courses completed as part of the Graduate Diploma and the Graduate Certificate may be transferred to the Master’s program in accordance with the UNSW policy on credit transfer.

Which public health degree is right for me?

Master of Public Health (MPH) - 9045   8 courses (48 Units of Credit)
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time		   The MPH program provides preparation for education, research and service in all aspects of public health. It is designed to address the continuing education needs of specialists in public health as well as providing a general orientation to public health issues and methods for health professionals. Students will acquire a deeper understanding of knowledge and skills for research, professional practice and further learning.
         
Master of Public Health (MPH) Specialisation - 9045   8 courses (48 Units of Credit)
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time		   A specialisation allows students to complete a specialised program of study in their Masters degree by focussing their studies in areas where the School has considerable expertise.  It may incorporate a research project.
         

Master of Public Health (Extension) (MPH(Extn)) - 9046

   12 courses (72 Units of Credit)
1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time		   The MPH (Extension) is designed for students wishing to complete a Masters degree with a research component.  It could also provide a pathway for students seeking to apply for entry into a PhD program.
         
Graduate Diploma in Public Health (GradDipPH) - 5507   6 courses (36 Units of Credit)
1 year full-time; 1.5 years part-time		   The Graduate Diploma is designed to address the continuing education needs of specialists in public health as well as providing a general orientation to public health issues and methods for the health professions. It will benefit students returning to postgraduate study after a long period in the workforce by updating their skills and knowledge.
         

Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GradCertPH) - 7368

   4 courses (24 Units of Credit)
1 year part-time		   The Graduate Certificate provides preparation for education, research, and service in aspects of public health. It is designed for health professionals who wish to study in a short time frame and may be seeking to update their knowledge and skills. It will benefit students returning to postgraduate study after a long period in the workforce.
         

Dual Degree in Master of Public Health / Master of Health Management (MPH/MHM) - 9047

   12 courses (72 Units of Credit)
1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time		   The MPH/MHM Dual Degree will suit students wishing to complete two Masters degrees in the areas of Public Health and Health Management. It provides graduates with essential knowledge, skills and attributes to carry out senior managerial and leadership roles in population, clinical and departmental health services.
         
Dual Degree in Master of Public Health / Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence (MPH/MIDI) - 9059   12 courses (72 Units of Credit)
1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time		  

The Master of Public Health / Master of Infectious Disease Intelligence dual program is an innovative approach to postgraduate health education enabling candidates to gain a better understanding of infectious diseases in the era of new and emerging disease threats, and management approaches for the identification, assessment, prevention and control of infectious diseases.
         

Dual Degree in Master of International Public Health / Master of Public Health (MIPH/MPH) - 9043

   12 courses (72 Units of Credit)
1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time		   The MIPH/MPH Dual Degree will suit students wishing to complete two Masters degrees in the areas of International Public Health and Public Health. It provides graduates with essential knowledge to work internationally in health departments, with non-government organisations, and with international and bi-lateral aid agencies. It also provides for a  career in population health, including health promotion, primary health care, policy formulation, research, and management of health programs.
         

Dual Degree in Master of Public Health (Extension) / Master of Health Management (MPH(Extn)/MHM) - 9056

   16 courses (96 Units of Credit)
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time		   The MPH(Extn)/MHM Dual Degree will suit students wishing to obtain two Masters degrees in the areas of Public Health and Health Management as well as complete a Research Project in public health. It could also provide a pathway for students seeking to apply for entry into a PhD program. This program provides students with advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills to undertake population health and health services management roles in government, community and health service settings in Australia and internationally.
         

Dual Degree in Master of Public Health / Master of Health Management (Extension) (MPH/MHM(Extn) - 9057

   16 courses (96 Units of Credit)
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time		   The MPH/MHM(Extn) Dual Degree will suit students wishing to obtain two Masters degrees in the areas of Public Health and Health Management as well as complete a Research Project in health management. It could also provide a pathway for students seeking to apply for entry into a PhD program. This program provides students with advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills to undertake population health and health services management roles in government, community and health service settings in Australia and internationally.
         
Dual Degree in Master of International Public Health (Extension) / Master of Public Health (MIPH(Extn)/MPH) - 9052   16 courses (96 Units of Credit)
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time		   The MIPH(Extn)/MPH Dual Degree will suit students wishing to obtain two Masters degrees in the areas of International Public Health and Public Health, as well as complete a Research Project in international public health. It could also provide a pathway for students seeking to apply for entry into a PhD program. This program enables candidates to specialise in public health in international developing country contexts as well as Australia and other developed countries.
         

Dual Degree in Master of International Public Health / Master of Public Health (Extension) (MIPH/MPH(Extn)) - 9054

   16 courses (96 Units of Credit)
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time		   The MIPH/MPH(Extn) Dual Degree will suit students wishing to obtain two Masters degrees in the areas of International Public Health and Public Health as well as complete a Research Project in public health. It could also provide a pathway for students seeking to apply for entry into a PhD program. This program enables candidates to specialise in public health in international developing country contexts as well as Australia and other developed countries.

 

 

Master of Public Health (MPH) - 9045

The MPH consists of the following components, for a total of 8 courses comprising 48 units of credit (UOC):

  • Core courses - 3 courses (18 UOC)
  • Elective courses - 5 courses (30 UOC)
 

Master of Public Health (Extension) (MPH(Extn)) - 9046

The MPH(Extn) consists of the following components comprising 72 units of credit (UOC):
  • Core courses - 3 courses (18 UOC)
  • Elective courses - 5 courses (30 UOC)
  • Extension courses (including research project) - (24 UOC)
 

Graduate Diploma in Public Health (GradDipPH) - 5507

The GradDipPH consists of the following components, for a total of 6 courses comprising 36 units of credit (UOC):

  • Core courses - 2 courses (12 UOC)
  • Elective courses - 4 courses (24 UOC)
 

Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GradCertPH) - 7368

The GradCertPH consists of the following courses, for a total of 4 courses comprising 24 units of credit  (UOC):
  • Core course - 1 course (6 UOC)
  • Elective courses - 3 courses (18 UOC)
 

Dual Degrees (18 months duration)

For the following dual degree candidates must complete 72 Units of Credit (UOC) comprising 7 core courses (42 UOC) and 5 elective courses (30 UOC):

For the following dual degree candidates must complete 72 Units of Credit (UOC) comprising 4 core courses (24 UOC) and 8 elective courses (48UOC):

 

Dual Degrees (2 years duration)

For the following dual degrees candidates must complete 96 Units of Credit (UOC) comprising 7 core courses (42 UOC), 5 elective courses (30 UOC) and Extension courses (24 UOC) including 1 research project:
For the following dual degrees candidates must complete 96 Units of Credit (UOC) comprising 4 core courses (24 UOC), 8 Elective courses (48 UOC) and Extension courses (24 UOC) including 1 research project:

 

Please note:
International students who have not previously completed a degree in Australia and are enrolled in the full time program in Sydney (Kensington campus) are required to take the following additional course in their first term:

  • PHCM9100 Academic Practice (0 UOC)

This course is available for all students to assist them with academic literacy practice and includes critical reading, thinking and writing, oral communication and managing postgraduate study. The course is made available at no charge to students and does not contribute to the program requirements of the degree. Local students who are returning to study after a long absence are also welcome to enrol in the course

 

FULL-TIME MPH RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION
Term 1 Start
Term 1 (18 UOC)
PHCM9041 Foundations in Public Health and Health Care Systems (6 UOC)
PHCM9498 Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 2 (12 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 3 (18 UOC)
PHCM9012 Health Promotion and Social Perspectives of Health (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)

 

FULL-TIME MPH RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION
Term 3 Start
Term 3 (18 UOC)
PHCM9012 Health Promotion and Social Perspectives of Health (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 1 (18 UOC)
PHCM9041 Foundations in Public Health and Health Care Systems (6 UOC)
PHCM9498 Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 2 (12 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)
One Elective (6 UOC)

 

PART-TIME MPH RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION
Term 1 Start
YEAR 1
Term 1 (6 UOC)*
PHCM9041 Foundations in Public Health and Health Care Systems (6 UOC)
Term 2 (6 UOC)*
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 3 (6 UOC)*
PHCM9012 Health Promotion and Social Perspectives of Health (6 UOC)
 

*Plus One Elective during any term (6 UOC)
YEAR 2
Term 1 (6 UOC)*
PHCM9498 Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health (6 UOC)
Term 2 (6 UOC)*
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 3 (6 UOC)*
One Elective (6 UOC)
 

*Plus One Elective during any term (6 UOC)

 

PART-TIME MPH RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION
Term 3 Start
YEAR 1
Term 3 (6 UOC)*
PHCM9012 Health Promotion and Social Perspectives of Health (6 UOC)
Term 1 (6 UOC)*
PHCM9041 Foundations in Public Health and Health Care Systems (6 UOC)
Term 2 (6 UOC)*
One Elective (6 UOC)
 

*Plus One Elective during any term (6 UOC)
YEAR 2
Term 3 (6 UOC)*
One Elective (6 UOC)
Term 1 (6 UOC)*
PHCM9498 Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health (6 UOC)
Term 2 (6 UOC)*
One Elective (6 UOC)
 

*Plus One Elective during any term (6 UOC)

 

 

Please note:

  • The above part-time study plan is only to be used as a guide. Students can amend their study plan to suit their needs, for example study one course per term.
  • Students from non-English speaking countries who have not previously completed a degree in Australia or other English speaking country are also required to take the core course PHCM9100 Academic Practice in their first term.

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to have either:

  • An undergraduate degree in a field relevant to public health or health management (see list below)* and two years full-time professional or volunteer experience.  This may also include equivalent professional experience acquired as part of a degree of 4 or more years duration (e.g. MBBS,  MD).

  OR

  • An undergraduate degree plus an honours or postgraduate degree in a field relevant to public health or health management*.

[*Examples include, but are not restricted to, medicine, nursing, allied health, health sciences, biomedical sciences, dentistry, social work, sociology, behavioural and social sciences, psychology, marketing, human services, emergency services, environmental health, veterinary science, health administration, business, management, engineering, law, science, mathematics and statistics, economics, policy studies and development studies.]