Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Public Health

Effective from 01-JAN-2023 : Code I62

ECU’s Master of Public Health offers students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge required for a diverse career in public health practice. Public Health is a broad field which aims to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of the population. Public health practitioners encourage individuals and communities to have greater control over their health and well-being, and to influence relevant organisations that lead to better health for all. They work 'across the lifespan', including the early years, child and adolescent health, and healthy aging to support population health. Students will be equipped for careers in various sectors in public and community health including healthy ageing, health protection, communicable disease, addiction services, health promotion and healthy public policy. Throughout their studies, students will be provided with the core foundations of public health theory and practice with a focus on cultural competence and the development, management, and evaluation of public health programs. Students can customise their study through specialist elective units in contemporary health strategies, nutrition, occupational safety and health and alcohol and other drugs. They will also undertake a core employability skills unit where they engage with public health industry and develop a personal portfolio of evidence to support their transition into the workforce following graduation.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply cognitive, technical and interpretative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex psychosocial and health issues in authentic situations.
2. Apply communication and collaboration skills to design and implement contributions to public health practice and scholarship.
3. Demonstrate expert judgement and autonomy when initiating, planning and executing a substantial public health study.
4. Reflect critically on a complex body of public health knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of public health practice and scholarship.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 8)

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have an undergraduate or post graduate degree in any discipline.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 2 Years
• Part Time: 4 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Leesa Narelle COSTELLO

Course Structure

Students are required to complete 9 Core units and 3 Recommend Elective units. Alternative elective units may be approved at the discretion of the Course Co-ordinator. Note that students who commence their course in the July intake (Semester 2), will do units in a slightly different order. Please consult with the Student Hub to ensure the most efficient progression pathway.

Note: Students can choose to study MMP6102, NRB5112 or MAT5212 depending on their semester schedules and area of research interest. MMP6102 is only offered on campus in Semester 2 and NRB5112 is only offered on campus in Semester 1. MAT5212 is currently offered on campus in both semesters. These core option units should only be undertaken in the second year of the MPH program. If students select to do either MAT5212 or NRB5112 in Semester 1 (rather than MMP6102 in Semester 2) of their second year, they will forfeit the elective in the first semester of their second year and complete two electives in Semester 2 of their second year instead.

Please note: Some electives units run exclusively online with no on-campus classes. International students are permitted to take a maximum of three units in online mode. Hence, for Visa purposes, International students should undertake ALL core units in on-campus mode so that they are able to choose electives that run only in online mode. Please refer to the ECU timetable for delivery modes.

** Students who commence the degree mid-year will complete units in a different order and must seek advice from the Student Hub.

Students who are unable to complete this degree may, with Course Coordinator approval, exit with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Public Health.

^ Core Option