Course Information

Graduate Diploma of Public Health

Effective from 01-JAN-2019 : Code W61

Public health is a broad area which can be generally characterised as being concerned with improving health and well-being by carrying out actions that will have an impact at a population or 'whole of community' level. Current Australian priorities for public health are to reduce health disparities between different population groups and to positively influence social, economic, physical and biological factors that play a role in determining overall health outcomes. Public health practitioners are health professionals who have the skills required to help individuals and communities to have greater control over their health and wellbeing and to influence organisational and political environments in ways that lead to better health for all.

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 and evaluate complex psychosocial and health issues in authentic situations.
  2. Communicate advanced public health knowledge, concepts and ideas to a variety of audiences.
  3. Demonstrate high level independent judgement and management skills by planning, implementing and evaluating a substantial public health study.

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

It is desirable that all applicants demonstrate their commitment to the field of public health. Evidence may include, but is not limited to: publication of written work on a public health issue in the media or in a professional publication, membership of a community or professional group dedicated to public health-related goals, volunteer or paid work experience in a community organisation that seeks to advance the interests of a disadvantaged population or equivalent.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 1 Year
  • Part Time: 2 Years

Course Delivery

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

Course Coordinator

Ms Lesley Jane ANDREW

Course Structure

Students are required to complete four core units and two core option units.

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
HST5161 *Public Health: Philosophy, Principles and Practice20
HST5120Epidemiology20
RES5115Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches20
HST6335Public Health Strategies20
Plus two (2) units from:
HST6522 ^Public Health Leadership20
HST6333 ^Diversity, Culture and Health20
HST6337 ^Communicable Disease20
HST6338 ^Law and Ethical Issues20
HST6341 ^Maternal, Child and Youth Health20
HST6350 ^Drug Use and Addictive Behaviours20
HST6355 ^Ageing, Health and Wellbeing20
HST6510 ^Public Health Planning and Evaluation20
OHS6134 ^Principles of Environmental Health20
OHS6138 ^Occupational Health Management20
MAT5212 ^Biostatistics20
NUT6110 ^Food Vision20
NUT5116 ^Applied Food Science and Systems15
or
NUT5114 ^ *Public Health Nutrition15

Note: Students can only take one unit from: NUT5116 or NUT5114

Please note: Most core option units run every year, however, some only run once every two years. Some units may also run exclusively on-campus or online. Please refer to the ECU timetable for delivery schedules.

^ Core Option
* Students will be assessed to see if they have achieved the ECU minimum standard of English language proficiency in this unit. Students who don't meet the minimum standard will be provided with appropriate English language support and development.


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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