The Master of Public Health (MPH) is widely recognised as essential for a career in population health, including health promotion, primary health care, policy formulation, research, and management of health programs. Many of our graduates occupy key positions in health services and universities in Australia, and the Western Pacific and Asian regions.

The Master of Public Health program provides preparation for education, research and service in all aspects of public health. The program includes study in epidemiology, quantitative and qualitative research methods, health services management, health promotion, development and education in health, as well as a systematic review of topical public health issues. It is designed to address the continuing education needs of specialists in public health as well as providing a general orientation to public health issues and methods for health professionals.

The MPH program is offered in full-time, part-time and external modes. For most external courses, students must attend compulsory residential school workshops at the Kensington campus twice a year, before each semester of study. The program comprises the following components, for a total of 48 units of credit:

Students from non-English speaking countries who have not previously completed a degree in Australia or other English-speaking country are required to take the following additional preparatory course in their first semester. This course is also available for all other students to assist in gaining maximum benefit from their study. The course is made available at no charge to students and does not contribute to the UOC requirements of the degree.

Electives

The following electives enable students to focus on areas of interest and professional relevance. Electives may also be chosen from core courses offered in the health management or international health programs. In addition, students may enrol in electives offered by other schools and academic units within the University of New South Wales, as well as approved courses offered by other universities, in accordance with the UNSW policy on credit transfer. Students may undertake Independent Study to learn about a particular subject area of special interest where there is appropriate expertise in the School, but no formal course. Students choose 5 elective courses (30 UOC) from the list below:

Students may also apply to the Program Director to be allowed to replace up to 12 UOC of course electives with a 6 UOC Research Project, 6 UOC Independent Study or 6 UOC Internship.

Streams (Areas of Specialisation)

The following streams are available in the Master of Public Health. These allow students to focus their studies on areas where the School has considerable expertise, and may incorporate project work. Students who demonstrate capacity through achieving a Credit average and propose an appropriate project topic in the area of specialisation may apply to undertake a 6 UOC Project (PHCM9148). The project may be in the form of a small-scale research study, a case study, a program evaluation or a report on field experience, and will be negotiated in advance with the relevant Stream Convenor.

The Master of Public Health articulates with the Graduate Diploma in Public Health (GradDip) and the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GradCert).

Please refer to the Program Structure above and contact the School of Public Health and Community Medicine for further information.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Applicants are required to have completed a bachelor degree in a health-related discipline and to have at least two years of experience in a health or health-related field.