Public health is a vital field that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and populations. With the increasing demand for professionals in this field, several top Australian universities now offer public health online degrees that are flexible, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of aspiring public health practitioners.
These online courses provide a comprehensive understanding of public health issues, including epidemiology, health promotion, disease prevention, and environmental health.
In this article, we have compiled a list of public health online degrees from leading Australian universities, to help you make an informed decision about your future in this critical field.
Quick Links To Online Public Health Degrees
Edith Cowan University
Master of Public Health
- 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
- 9 Core units and 3 Recommend Elective units
- Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $23,150
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC HEALTH
- 8 months part-time (minimum)
- 4 units (7 weeks)
- $3,050 per unit, Commonwealth Supported Places & FEE-HELP available
University of Technology Sydney
GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC HEALTH (ONLINE)
- 16 months (minimum)
- 8 study periods
- $3,096 per subject**, FEE-HELP available
University Of New South Wales
Master of Public Health
- 1 Year(s)
- Commencing Terms
Term 1, Term 2, Term 3 - $8,360 - Indicative CSP First-Year Fee
$32,160 - Indicative First Year Full Fee
Edith Cowan University
Master Of Public Health
The field of public health has a wide scope that aims to enhance and safeguard the health and well-being of the general populace. Public health practitioners play a vital role in making a positive impact on the lives of communities at the local, national, and international levels.
These professionals assist individuals and communities in taking charge of their health and well-being and influencing organisational and political settings to promote better health outcomes for everyone. They work across different stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, and aging, to promote population health.
To cater to the diverse interests of aspiring public health professionals, this master's degree program offers a range of elective units to specialise in specific areas. The program also involves close collaboration with experienced public health industry professionals and research projects focused on contemporary public health issues, resulting in a personal portfolio of evidence that can aid in the transition into the field.
Victoria University
Graduate Certificate In Public Health
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health program is designed to equip graduates with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in public health practice. The program emphasises the integration of biological foundations of health with population-based intervention and policy while considering social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of health.
This program targets practitioners already working in public health and recent graduates, providing foundational training in public health practice, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Successful completion of the program provides a pathway to continue to the Master of Public Health.
VU Online is a member of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA), offering Graduate Certificate in Public Health students access to CAPHIA's range of benefits, including health professional and researcher development programs and events across Australasia.
University of Technology Sydney
Graduate Diploma in Public Health (Online)
The Graduate Diploma in Public Health program offered by UTS Online is specifically designed for professionals seeking to enhance their specialised knowledge and skills to advance health programs at the local, national, or global level. The program provides insights into health systems across various societies, exploring how social determinants of health can be used to address complex challenges related to technological, economic, and social changes within communities and societies.
Being 100% online, this program offers immediately applicable skills for current professionals looking to make a greater impact in their current roles and prepare for future health challenges. This program is delivered by the UTS School of Public Health, and informed by prominent academics and researchers, providing students with a top-tier education at the forefront of public health.
The University of New South Wales Sydney
Master of Public Health
The degree program offers individuals an opportunity to play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of communities. The Master of Public Health degree is a necessity for a profession in population health, including health promotion, policy development, and population health program planning.
The degree offers an advanced and all-inclusive comprehension of public health practices that prepare students to detect, comprehend, avoid, and contain disease outbreaks in populations. Additionally, students will be equipped with skills to identify and address the social causes of population health disparities to enhance collective health results.
The subjects included in this program mirror the interdisciplinary character of the field, offering students with fundamental abilities in epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, qualitative and quantitative research methods, health policy, and health services management. This degree offers both the fundamental abilities necessary for launching a profession in public health and education for public health professionals to progress in their careers.
The University of Newcastle Australia
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health program is a one-year postgraduate program that offers an excellent opportunity to commence a fulfilling career in public health. Whether individuals are looking for a change in career direction or wish to advance their careers, this program provides the competitive edge necessary to succeed. The program is designed to accommodate individuals from diverse educational backgrounds and working in various settings, including health departments and community organisations.
The Master of Public Health program is a flexible degree that aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to public health, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to define, critically assess, and resolve public health issues within communities, while catering to their individual career goals. With the aid of innovative and applied education tools and expert industry-engaged academics, students can gain an understanding of contemporary public health issues and learn practical techniques for analysing and evaluating public health problems globally and in Australia.
This program provides real experiences in public health through core courses that offer students the necessary skills and knowledge, as well as elective courses that cater to their interests. The program offers workplace-related learning opportunities and research projects that can be readily incorporated for individuals working in relevant public health jobs. Whether studying online or on campus, the Master of Public Health program provides students with a comprehensive education in public health.
Deakin University
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health course is aimed at professionals who want to develop their skills and knowledge to solve global health issues. The program offers eight career pathways to choose from, or students can create their own pathways based on their interests and career aspirations. Graduates of the course can expect to gain practical skills and professional networks that will open the door to exciting opportunities and leadership roles in the field of public health.
The course is suitable for both clinical and non-clinical health professionals, as well as graduates from other fields who are passionate about improving the health of individuals, communities and populations. The focus of the course is on evidence-based action that drives positive change across health systems, using the latest research to form strategies that tackle global health issues.
Students have the opportunity to narrow in on a field of interest and develop expertise in a specific area of public health. This not only helps them to learn more about their passion but also creates a pathway between where they are now and their dream role.
Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation, led by internationally recognised researchers, shapes much of what students learn in the program. Graduates have direct access to the latest research, which will be incredibly valuable knowledge that they can carry with them throughout their entire career.
The Master of Public Health course can be completed on campus or online, which is a popular choice for students who are working in the health or other industries while studying. The premium online learning platform provides students with the flexibility to fit their degree around their life and achieve their career goals on their own schedule.
The University of Western Australia
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The Master of Public Health course is designed for graduates from any field who wish to pursue a career as a professional public health practitioner or researcher. The program provides a strong foundation in core fields such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, health promotion, and qualitative research methods, as well as a broader understanding of the social context in which health programs are developed, delivered, and evaluated.
The course can be completed via coursework alone, coursework and a 24-point dissertation, or coursework and a 24-point practicum. For those who choose to undertake a research project, this may involve conducting a review of scientific literature, writing a literature review and detailed project proposal, developing research instruments, obtaining ethics committee approval, and preparing an analysis plan.
The practicum option provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by working with prospective employers, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, and developing practical skills such as project management, information and time management, problem-solving, literacy, communication, as well as professional conduct and ethical behaviour.
Western Sydney University
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health program offered by Western focuses on a comprehensive assessment of all determinants of health, which include broader social and environmental factors along with physical risk factors. The course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively assess and respond to emerging public health issues, evaluate public health programs, and manage disasters.
Western is a renowned institution in Australia for its teaching and research across both clinical and non-clinical health sciences, making its Master of Public Health graduates highly sought-after. This program offers students in-depth knowledge of global and public health issues and determinants, practical skills in community development and health promotion programs, and a culminating research and practice experience in the evaluation of a contemporary public health issue.
Students can choose from a variety of study areas, including communicable diseases, policy analysis, and economic evaluation, to focus on their areas of interest. Graduates are capable of identifying social factors affecting health and examining their implications for policy, health systems, and different groups. They can also analyse and interpret results from quantitative data collections to interpret health status and health impacts.
The program exposes students to academic and industry leaders who share their experience and knowledge to facilitate insight into contemporary public health issues. Upon completion, students will have developed skills and professional development in health policy, social determinants of health, epidemiology, biostatistics, applied research, and evidence-based practice, as well as an understanding of recent developments in the discipline.
The University of Sydney
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health degree program is designed to equip students from diverse medical, non-medical, academic, and professional backgrounds with the necessary skills and knowledge to become public health practitioners. The program emphasises the prevention of illnesses and the promotion of health by effectively managing community health problems to improve outcomes.
Students enrolled in the program will complete core units that cover foundational concepts in public health, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, research, and ethics. In addition to the core units, students can choose elective units, and they have the option to complete an optional specialisation using their elective credit point allowance. The Master of Public Health program provides advanced postgraduate training that prepares students for a career as a public health professional.
Torrens University Australia
Master of Public Health (Advanced)
The Master of Public Health (Advanced) is designed to equip health professionals with advanced knowledge and skills to address public health issues. The program emphasises the social determinants of health and prepares graduates to address health inequalities for vulnerable populations in Australia and globally.
This degree is ideal for international students and provides professionals from a wide range of health backgrounds with an understanding of current global and environmental health issues, ethical practice, health policy, systems and economics, as well as social, behavioural, and cultural determinants of health and welfare.
Queensland University of Technology
Master of Public Health
The public health programs offered focus on promoting population health and wellbeing in various areas such as food safety, disease control, prevention programs, health promotion, and environmental health. They cater to individuals seeking to pursue a career in public health, mid-career professionals seeking career advancement, and clinicians aiming to broaden their expertise.
Students in the program acquire essential skills in epidemiology and biostatistics, along with a comprehension of current and complex population health issues. The program offers majors in emergency and disaster management, epidemiology and research methods, health promotion, health, safety and environment, and the flexibility to choose units across various study areas.
A career in public health involves working to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of communities and populations through research, education, and the development and implementation of public health policies and programs.
Public health professionals can work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, healthcare organizations, non-profit organisations, academic institutions, and private industries. Job titles can include epidemiologist, health educator, environmental health specialist, biostatistician, health policy analyst, and public health nurse, among others.
The educational requirements for a career in public health vary depending on the specific job and employer. However, many public health positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as public health, health science, biology, or social science. Some positions may require a master's degree or higher.
Public health professionals need a range of skills, including analytical and critical thinking skills, communication skills, research skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with others. They also need knowledge of health behaviour, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy.
Public health professionals face a range of challenges, including emerging infectious diseases, health disparities and inequities, environmental health hazards, and the rising burden of chronic diseases. They also need to navigate complex political and social landscapes, and work with limited resources to achieve their goals.