The Master of Public Health (Health Services Management) is a 54-unit coursework program which is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificates offered within the Department of Public Health and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the awards.

Students who hold the graduate certificate or graduate diploma receive credit for topics already taken.

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally:

  • hold an approved degree in a related field or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and have not less than four years professional experience in the health sector following completion of the degree or equivalent qualification; or
  • hold either the Graduate Certificate in Health Administration, Graduate Certificate in Public Health, Graduate Diploma in Health Administration or equivalent and have not less than four years professional experience in the health sector.

The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The Master of Public Health aims to provide students with the ability to apply knowledge and skills in relation to public health principles, values and practices that reduce inequity in health care access and health outcomes, and improve population health status.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills:

  • in critical analysis of evidence, complex theories, problems, and concepts regarding social, economic, environmental, and political determinants of health
  • in developing, planning, and evaluating public health approaches to health problems
  • in critiquing and applying contemporary public health approaches in work-related environments and practice
  • of research principles, methodologies, and methods applicable to public health theory, policy and practice
  • in creativity and innovation in transferring knowledge to practice
  • in effective communication in the workplace and university context

apply an advanced level of knowledge and skills:

  • to recognise their own strengths, limitations, and learning style
  • in showing initiative and creativity in practice
  • to take responsibility, and to advocate for and empower others
  • in critical analysis of evidence and theories regarding determinants of health, planning and evaluating public health approaches, work-related environments; and undertaking public health research activities.

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Public Health (Health Services Management), a student must complete 54 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.   

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

49.5 units comprising:

HACM9100  Managing People  (4.5 units)
HACM9101  Managing Organisations  (4.5 units)
HACM9102  Financial Management in Health Care  (4.5 units)
PHCA9501  Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing  (4.5 units)
PHCA9514  Action on Social Determinants of Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9503  Research Methods for Social Epidemiology  (9 units)
PHCA9504  Critical Practice in Indigenous Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9509  Public Health Practice Development  (9 units)

plus one of

HACM9201  Health Law  (4.5 units) 
HACM9204  Health Economics  (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 unit option topic to be selected from the list below:

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

PHCA9507  Health Promotion in Public Health (4.5 units)
PHCA9510  Leadership and the New Public Health  (4.5 units)
PHCA9516  Introduction to Cancer Prevention (4.5 units)
PHCA9517  Undertaking Translational Research in Cancer Prevention  (4.5 units)
PHCA9518  Food Democracy for Public Health Practice (4.5 units)
HACM9201  Health Law (4.5 units)*
HACM9204  Health Economics (4.5 units)*
NUTD9226  Public Health and Community Nutrition (4.5 units)
MHSC8111  Managing Chronic Conditions - Self-Management Support Approaches  (4.5 units)
MHSC8112  Perspectives on Chronic Diseases Management (4.5 units)
MHSC8114  The Persons Experience of Self Management (4.5 units)

*Topic can only be completed once towards the Master of Public Health (Health Services Management)

Another 4.5 unit option topic may be selected with the approval of the Course Co-ordinator.

The award of grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University Policy on Student Progress.