Master of Public Health (Online)

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this subject students will be introduced to the concepts, frameworks and methods used in prioritising and planning in public health. This subject will introduce students to the conceptual approaches and key methods used to conduct a health needs assessment and prioritise the identified needs for subsequent strategic planning. The subject will also explore the strategies and interventions that are commonly used to address health needs in populations and the criteria that can be used to select an appropriate intervention. Finally, the subject will consider essential concepts in the design and evaluation of health programs.

Within this subject, students will have the opportunity to apply the skills learnt to public health scenarios drawn from Australian and international case-studies. The material in this subject is highly relevant in day to day public health practice.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this subject, students will be introduced to the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It is a fundamental science of public health.

Students will be introduced to the three main tasks of epidemiology which include description, causal inference and prediction. This subject focuses on the first two and emphasises the application of epidemiological evidence to informing public health practice and policy.

Description: the epidemiological measures of disease frequency and summary measures of population health are introduced and used to describe patterns and trends in disease occurrence within and between populations. The role of routinely collected data, particularly for surveillance of infectious diseases, is discussed.

Causal inference: is key to applying epidemiological evidence to controlling health problems if interventions are to be effective. In this subject, causal inference is considered within the modern counterfactual framework. Causal diagrams, which are an integral part of this approach to causal inference are introduced. The common experimental and observational study designs, and systematic reviews, and their relative strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The implications of common types of bias (selection bias, information bias, and confounding) are discussed, as are methods to minimise them. Methods to control for confounding, including standardisation, are discussed.

Differences in characteristics of the major sources of morbidity (infectious disease, non-communicable disease, and injury) are discussed in the context of prevention and early detection of disease. Transmission dynamics of infectious diseases are introduced in this context. The applicability of epidemiological evidence (external validity) to interventions in target populations is introduced. Measures of the validity and performance of tests for early detection are introduced.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject lays the foundation for the degree and provides an orientation to the field of public health. In this subject, students will be provided with a critical overview of public health historical development, conceptual underpinnings and practice in the following domains.

History and distinguishing features of public health and population health: The historical development of public health is traced. The distinguishing features of public health, emphasising the health of groups and populations rather than a focus on the health of an individual, are presented and explored. Key points of transition in the health of populations over time are identified. The scientific disciplines that make up the toolbox of modern population health are described.

Determinants of the health of individuals, groups and populations: Determinants of health affecting the health of individuals, and populations are identified, recognising that social determinants work in concert with environmental and biological factors. The health of Indigenous people in Australia is examined and resources provided to assist in understanding common influences on the health of Indigenous people world-wide. The increasing importance of health and human rights locally and globally is discussed, including an examination of the ethical frameworks relevant to public health practice.

Strategies and Systems: Major strategies and approaches to public health including health protection, health improvement and health care quality assessment are presented, with illustrations from local and international experience. The elements and function of health systems are defined and the roles of principal public health agencies internationally and nationally are described.

Achievements and challenges: The significant achievements in public health from the late 20th century through to the 21st century are identified and emerging challenges and possible solutions are explored, including in relation to Indigenous populations.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This is a compulsory subject in the wholly online Master of Public Health (MC-PHMO). Qualitative research plays an important role in public health as it can explain how people experience a particular health issue or why they perform a health-related behaviour, taking into account specific social, political and economic contexts. Public health practitioners need to be able to undertake and interpret a range of published research (including qualitative research) in order to gather evidence for practice, identify gaps in evidence and evaluate current practice.

This subject will introduce students to qualitative research in public health - both the principles underlying design and the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methodologies. It will cover a range of methods, such as individual interviews, group interviews, visual and participatory methods. Each element of research design will be covered, from recognising research paradigms and sampling strategies through to the different types of analysis. In this subject, students will learn how to design, plan and evaluate qualitative research as sources of evidence in public health.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject aims to help students develop the practical leadership and management skills necessary for the public health workforce. This subject will introduce students to relevant theories and models of public health leadership and project management. This knowledge will be grounded in real-life case studies of public health significance, lectures with experts in the field, interactive sessions to practice skills and small team exploration and presentation on important public health projects, including Indigenous health project.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of statistics and the essential methods required to equip students to perform basic statistical analyses and interpret research findings. The focus is on data from public health and medical research settings, and all examples are provided in this context.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

The Public Health Capstone is the culminating experience of the Master of Public Health (MC-PHMO), providing students with the opportunity to apply and integrate their learning in a real-world context. The capstone offers two distinct pathways:

1. Research Pathway – Designed for students intending to pursue a PhD, this pathway involves undertaking a structured research project that meets PhD entry requirements. Students will conduct a literature review, develop a research question and aims, apply appropriate research methodologies, and generate findings suitable for potential publication. Research projects may include a qualitative or quantitative study, a systematic or narrative review, or the development of a research protocol.
2. Project Pathway – Geared towards students seeking to apply their skills in professional practice, this pathway focuses on projects relevant to public health organisations, quality improvement, and internal reporting. Students will complete a literature review, define project aims, and undertake activities such as data analysis, policy evaluation, a small-scale health program evaluation, or the development of an implementation plan or internal report.

Both pathways provide students with an opportunity to engage in independent inquiry, develop advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, and contribute meaningfully to the field of public health.

This subject is the first part of a two-subject sequence, taught over two consecutive study periods.  Students are required to enrol in POPH90327 Public Health Project Part 1 (12.5 credit points) and POPH90328 Public Health Project Part 2 (12.5 credit points), consecutively, for a total enrolment of 25 credit points.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

Refer to POPH90327 Public Health Project Part 1 for details.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

The Australian healthcare system is facing unprecedented challenges, including rising costs, changing population demographics, increasing burden of chronic diseases, and growing public demand for better access, quality, and outcomes of care. These challenges require a fundamental transformation of the healthcare system, from fragmented and episodic to an integrated and patient-centered model of care that delivers value for money and improves population health.

To achieve this transformation, it is crucial to understand the drivers for health system reform and the emerging policy and program directions in Australia as we work toward a system design that can achieve change and better outcomes for society.

This subject will provide health professionals with a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the current drivers and future trends in health system transformation, including embedding equitable co design practices and measuring outcomes in areas such as health systems governance, financing, value based care, workforce planning, innovation, primary and integrated care, digital health, environmental sustainability, and delivery of inclusive care for priority populations.

Through a mix of workshops, case studies, and group discussions, health professionals, managers and policy-makers will explore the latest research, policies, and practices in health system reform and transformation, and develop critical skills in health policy and systems analysis.

Overall, this subject will provide health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to become effective health system leaders and change agents who can drive innovation, improve performance, and enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations. Health professionals will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from a diverse range of health sector leaders, experts and peers, focused on the Australian health system, but with applicability to international settings.

This subject is designed for a range of experienced health professionals with an interest in health system reform and transformation, including:

• Public health practitioners
• Health policy analysts
• Health managers and administrators
• Clinical leaders
• Researchers and academics
• Health advocates and activists.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject is an elective subject within the Master of Public Health program and builds on the concepts and skills covered in the prerequisite Public Health Leadership and Management subject. Practice of Public Health Leadership explores the practical aspects of leadership and implementing public health programs in the real world. This subject explores leadership, program development and implementation as well as change management both within organisations and while working with collaborative partners. It explores some of the unique challenges of high-profile and controversial public health programs, as well as the role and influence of politics, media and the community for different local, national and international projects. This subject also progresses the practical elements of personal development as a leader, reflective practice and self-care.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

Health equity is the fair and just opportunity for all individuals to attain their highest level of health. It is widely acknowledged as a target for which health organisations of all sizes (from local to global) should be aiming. This practical subject will explain the theories and frameworks that underpin the concept of health equity and will allow students to develop a set of skills and tools to pursue health equity in a range of organisational and other settings. Realising structures and systems that allow all people to attain their full potential for health and wellbeing involves methodically identifying and eliminating inequities resulting from the structural determinants, social norms, and institutional processes that shape the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, play, and age. This subject examines not only the determinants of inequity and how these are amplified by structural barriers to produce poor public health outcomes but will also explore the possibilities for transformation to achieve health equity. This interdisciplinary and multi-method subject incorporates insights from a range of disciplines and draws on qualitative and quantitative methodologies using contemporary examples. In this subject, students will learn how health inequalities are generated and will develop skills and strategies to address the health equity challenges present in their work contexts and beyond.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject explores the policy decisions, usually made by governments, that determine present and future country or regional level objectives relating to health services; programs; and the regulatory, organisational, social, cultural, physical and natural environments that contribute to population health and well-being. This subject explores the nature of health policy, types of policy instruments, and policy making processes including agenda setting and policy influencing frameworks and theories. This subject will expose students to the role of evidence in policy formation including the significance of the balance between effectiveness, efficiency and equity as objectives of health policy. In doing so, students will be introduced to the importance and process of policy analysis and explore the relevant legal, political, managerial, sociological, ethical, epidemiological and economic perspectives to instrument selection and policy implementation across a range of health policy contexts. Australian and international country contexts will be used throughout the subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject introduces students to health economics as a sub-discipline of economics. Students are provided with a comprehensive introduction to micro-economics, so the subject is suitable for students with no prior knowledge of economics. It paves the way for students to apply micro-economic concepts to the analysis of contemporary issues in public health and health care. Topics to be studied include the following:

• Introduction to economics, micro-economics and welfare economics
• Introduction to health economics
• The demand for health and health care
• The production and supply of health care; the economics of the health workforce
• Behavioural economics in health care
• The market for health care
• Market failure and the role of government in health care,
• Economics approaches to measuring equity in health and health care
• The Australian health care system analysed from an economic perspective

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject provides an introduction to the principles, concepts and methods of economic evaluation and their application to health care and public health. Students are introduced to the foundations of economic evaluation in economic theory and the principal methods used by health economists: cost benefit analysis, cost effectiveness analysis, cost consequences analysis and cost utility analysis. In each case, the steps involved in identifying, measuring and valuing incremental costs and outcomes will be explained. Students will learn the key elements of an economic evaluation study design and be able to critically review economic evaluation studies. Contemporary issues and approaches in economic evaluation will be introduced, including the use of distributional cost effectiveness to capture reductions in inequality; and subjective wellbeing and other approaches for extending the measurement of benefit beyond the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY).

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject covers linear regression methods for continuous outcome variables and logistic regression methods for binary outcome variables. This subject will equip students with the practical skills to apply these regression methods to data from epidemiological studies using the statistical package Stata. Also covered is how to adjust for confounding and investigate effect modification using regression models. The focus is on the practical interpretation of the measures of association estimated by these regression models.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the wholly online Master of Public Health or Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this subject, students will be introduced to different institutions, structures and processes that constitute health systems, globally providing a strong platform for further studies and varied career paths in population and global health. This subject provides students with the analytical frameworks to explore the social and political dynamics, institutions and structures that constitute health systems globally. This subject is delivered by a cross-disciplinary team of experts working in health systems strengthening and analysis, and draws on contemporary research and examples from across Australia, the Asia and Pacific regions and other global contexts. Students of this subject will develop and apply skills in critical and comparative analysis of health systems in a range of countries and in settings with varied levels of socio-economic development.

Issues addressed in this subject include, but may not be limited to: global disparities in health system expenditures and outcomes; the characteristics of different health financing systems; health system structures; health system reform and performance measurement; health system strengthening approaches and strategies; intergovernmental relations and development assistance for health; health workforce supply and policy; general practice and primary healthcare; complementary health systems and health system orientation for Indigenous peoples; and the multi-level policy processes that inform health system decision-making.

View detailed information in the Handbook