Master of Public Health (MPubHlth)
Master of Public Health (MPubHlth)
Program Code
MPH
Program Faculty
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Academic Year
2024
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
The Master of Public Health consists of core and elective coursework in the areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, social science research methods for public health, public health policy and evaluation, health systems and advocacy, occupational, environmental, and global health and infectious disease epidemiology and control. Synthesis of skills learnt through coursework study will offer students a choice of a guided professional practice placement/project or a research dissertation/thesis in order to contribute new knowledge.
The Master of Public Health is intended to equip graduates for careers in public health or to broaden the public health orientation of their current work for those with established careers.
The Master of Public Health is an AQF Level 9 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 2 years. Students may be eligible to complete the program in a full-time standard duration of 1.5 years or 1 year on the basis of prior learning.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of public health at internationally recognised advanced levels, including: 1.1 epidemiology 1.2 biostatistics 1.3 environmental health sciences 1.4 health policy management 1.5 social and behavioural sciences.
- Locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner to: 2.1 conduct an appraisal of policy in context 2.2 make decisions in the face of uncertainty.
- Apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future health problems, including the capacity to deal with Indigenous health issues.
- Demonstrate skills of a higher order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.
- Demonstrate a proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary public health technologies, towards the development and evaluation of public health interventions, using epidemiological, biostatistical, economic and social science approaches.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a community leadership or advocacy role in public health.
- Consider ethical, social and cultural issues in demonstrating professional skills and responsibilities in the field of public health, including Indigenous health.
- Demonstrate a capacity to respond to public health issues at a variety of levels: 8.1 individual 8.2 community 8.3 population 8.4 policy level.
Conditions
Condition of Enrolment
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director or Delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.
Condition of continuing enrolment
Research dissertation: A student must complete core and elective courses to a value of 36 units with a minimum GPA of 5.0, before proceeding to the research dissertation.
Research thesis: A student must complete core and elective courses to a value of 24 units with a minimum GPA of 5.0, before proceeding to the research thesis.
Immunisation: Prior to any professional placement, students will need to check vaccine requirements with their placement provider and provide evidence of their immunisation status. Students are required to have the appropriate level of immunisation required by the Immunisation for Health Care Workers in South Australia Policy Directive for tuberculosis (TB) screening and criminal history clearances (CHC), Prescribed Communicable Infections (PCI) screening, including recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. Please note that professional placements cannot be guaranteed for unvaccinated students.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Master of Public Health
There shall be a Master of Public Health.
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the Master of Public Health the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 48 units, comprising:
One of the following pathways:
- Research Dissertation
- Research Thesis
- Professional Practice
- Work Integrated Research
Core Courses
-
Research Dissertation Pathway
To satisfy the requirements for Research Dissertation Pathway students must complete courses to the value of 48 units.
- Core courses to the value of 30 units.
- Dissertation to the value of 12 units.
- Electives to the value of 6 units.
Core Courses
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7074 Introduction to Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7075 Introduction to Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7090 Global Public Health 3 PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics 3 PUB HLTH 7092 Health Systems, Systems Thinking & Advocacy for Change 3 PUB HLTH 7093 Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations 3 PUB HLTH 7113 Environmental and Occupational Health 3 PUB HLTH 7096 Making Healthy Public Policy 3 PUB HLTH 7078 Qualitative Research Methods In Health 3 PUB HLTH 7300OL Developing a Novel Research Question 3 Dissertation
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7119 MPH Dissertation (Full-Time) 12 or
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7122A MPH Dissertation Part 1 0 PUB HLTH 7122B MPH Dissertation Part 2 12 Electives
Courses to the value of 6 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HEALTH 7000 Ethical Challenges in Modern Health Care 3 PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7104 Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7106 Epidemiological Research Methods 3 PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment 3 or
Courses to the value of 6 units may be taken from other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University of Adelaide or another University with prior approval from the Program Director.
-
Research Thesis Pathway
To satisfy the requirements for Research Thesis Pathway students must complete courses to the value of 48 units.
- Core courses to the value of 21 units.
- Thesis to the value of 24 units.
- Electives to the value of 3 units.
Core Courses
Courses to the value of 21 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7074 Introduction to Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7075 Introduction to Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7090 Global Public Health 3 PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics 3 PUB HLTH 7092 Health Systems, Systems Thinking & Advocacy for Change 3 PUB HLTH 7093 Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations 3 PUB HLTH 7113 Environmental and Occupational Health 3 PUB HLTH 7096 Making Healthy Public Policy 3 PUB HLTH 7078 Qualitative Research Methods In Health 3 Thesis
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7133A MPH Thesis Part A 0 PUB HLTH 7133B MPH Thesis Part B 24 or
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7134A MPH Thesis (Two-Year) Continuing 0 PUB HLTH 7134B MPH Thesis (Two-Year) Final 24 Electives
Courses to the value of 3 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HEALTH 7000 Ethical Challenges in Modern Health Care 3 PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7104 Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7106 Epidemiological Research Methods 3 PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment 3 or
Courses to the value of 3 units may be taken from other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University of Adelaide or another University with prior approval from the Program Director.
-
Professional Practice Pathway
To satisfy the requirements for Professional Practice Pathway students must complete courses to the value of 48 units.
- Core courses to the value of 27 units.
- Professional practice to the value of 12 units.
- Electives to the value of 9 units.
Core Courses
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7074 Introduction to Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7075 Introduction to Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7090 Global Public Health 3 PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics 3 PUB HLTH 7092 Health Systems, Systems Thinking & Advocacy for Change 3 PUB HLTH 7093 Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations 3 PUB HLTH 7113 Environmental and Occupational Health 3 PUB HLTH 7096 Making Healthy Public Policy 3 PUB HLTH 7078 Qualitative Research Methods In Health 3 Professional Practice
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7079 MPH Professional Practice Placement 12 Electives
Courses to the value of 9 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HEALTH 7000 Ethical Challenges in Modern Health Care 3 PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7104 Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7106 Epidemiological Research Methods 3 PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment 3 or
Courses to the value of up to 6 units may be taken from other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University of Adelaide or another University with prior approval from the Program Director.
-
Work Integrated Research Pathway
To satisfy the requirements for Work Integrated Research Pathway students must complete courses to the value of 48 units.
- Core courses to the value of 15 units.
- Research Project to the value of 6 units.
- Electives to the value of 27 units.
Core courses
Courses to the value of up to 15 units may be taken from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7074 Introduction to Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7075 Introduction to Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7090 Global Public Health 3 PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics 3 PUB HLTH 7092 Health Systems, Systems Thinking & Advocacy for Change 3 PUB HLTH 7093 Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations 3 PUB HLTH 7113 Environmental and Occupational Health 3 PUB HLTH 7096 Making Healthy Public Policy 3 PUB HLTH 7078 Qualitative Research Methods In Health 3 Research Project
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7095EX Work-Integrated Research Project 6 Electives
Courses to the value of 12 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HEALTH 7000 Ethical Challenges in Modern Health Care 3 PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7104 Biostatistics 3 PUB HLTH 7106 Epidemiological Research Methods 3 PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment 3 and
Courses to the value of up to 15 units may be taken from other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University of Adelaide or another University with prior approval from the Program Director.