Master in
Master of Public Health
La Trobe University

Key Information
Campus location
Melbourne, Australia
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
AUD 38,800 / per year
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Jul 2023
Introduction
Will you help design a healthier - and safer - future?
There's never been a more important time to learn about the power of public health.
With an ever-increasing need for public health initiatives to prevent and protect the community from diseases, the world needs skilled professionals who understand contemporary public health research and practice.
And you don't need a health background to pursue an in-demand career in public health.
Our Master of Public Health will give you important foundations in systems thinking, epidemiology, policy and research methods. Learn how to gather, interpret and leverage health data to create a healthier society. Understand the key principles of promotion, protection and prevention. Develop your research skills and learn how to influence our health systems.
You'll gain the skills you need to work in health systems around the world. By developing a global and multidisciplinary approach, you'll gain an understanding of public health that can genuinely influence the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
Key features
- Develop your research skills and undertake a research or practice-based project.
- Graduates may be eligible for membership with the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).
- You don't need a health background to study the Master of Public Health. Our students come from a wide range of careers, including business, policy and communications.
Program Outcome
You'll learn:
- Systems thinking
Understand how the systems in our society are intrinsically linked to the health of individual people. - Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Learn how to gather and interpret health data, and improve health outcomes for your community. - Approaches to public health
Understand how theoretical principles can help you solve public health problems. - Policy and practice
Learn how to create policies that can improve health outcomes and develop practices that promote better health in your community. - Leadership
Develop the confidence to lead public health initiatives.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Career Opportunities
A Master of Public Health will equip you to work in a variety of health-related roles. Graduate ready to apply for roles including:
- Senior policy officer
Collaborate with a range of stakeholders from government, private sector and community.
Develop policy, briefings and project plans to implement best practice policy and improve people's quality of life. - Health project manager
Design and manage health projects through to completion.
Lead your team, negotiate with stakeholders, gain approvals, assess risks and manage budgets in line with expectations. - Researcher
Research public health problems to find solutions, recommend interventions, change policies and improve professional practice. - Evaluation officer
Conduct research to inform projects.
Design studies using qualitative and quantitative research.
Contribute to reports and communicate your research findings.
Public health managers in Australia earn an average of A$100 000 per year.
Curriculum
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure.
To qualify for the award of Master of Public Health, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Year 1
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points
including:
- 120 credit points from chosen Core
Year 2
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points
including:
- 60 credit points from chosen Specialisation
- 60 credit points from chosen Electives
This is a StudyFlex course
Whether your course is considered on campus, online or a mix of both, a StudyFlex course provides:
- at least one-third of its subjects on campus or online; and/or
- at least two StudyFlex majors - that is two eight-subject sequences that offer at least half of their subjects on campus or online.
Specialisations
A specialisation is a sequence of related subjects studied in your course. In some courses, you need to complete at least one specialisation to attain your degree.
Students to select one specialisation
- Advanced practice StudyFlex
- Ageing strategy and policy StudyFlex
- Applied research StudyFlex
- Data for decision making StudyFlex
- Digital health StudyFlex
- Health management StudyFlex
- Health promotion StudyFlex
- Health strategy and policy StudyFlex
- Health systems, structures and funding StudyFlex
- International development StudyFlex
- Sex, health and society StudyFlex
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Studying overseas can offer you a range of exciting opportunities.
But it’s important you’re prepared for the costs involved. You’ll need to manage tuition fees and costs of living, as well as other potential expenses associated with the overseas study. Here’s the good news: we offer a wide range of scholarships that can help you out.
Scholarships
International study is a big decision, especially when the future can look a little uncertain. So we’ve designed our range of scholarships to give you the support you need in a changing world. Our generous scholarships mean you can access financial support to study with us. From tuition fee reductions to cash grants, these scholarships recognise your achievements and reward your commitment to your future. We’ve increased the range and amount of scholarships we offer, so whether you’re interested in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework or postgraduate research, there’s a La Trobe scholarship for you.
La Trobe International scholarships
La Trobe International Scholarships reward your academic excellence by offering up to a 25 per cent reduction on tuition fees for the normal duration of your course.
Destination Australia scholarships
This Australian Government initiative supports new international students to study in regional Australia and is worth up to AU$ 15,000 per year.
Regional Scholarship
If you study at one of our regional campuses, you could be eligible for a one-off payment of AU$ 5,000, which will be deducted from your first-semester tuition fees.
Regional Victoria Experience Bursary
This is a top-up bursary for a prospective international student who is willing to undertake an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree in our Regional campuses.
Postgraduate research scholarships
We offer a range of postgraduate research scholarships.
ELICOS Scholarship
International students undertaking an English for Further Studies (ELICOS) course with La Trobe College Australia (LTCA) followed by an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at La Trobe University.
Sponsorships
As well as our scholarships, some international students can be sponsored by overseas governments, organisations or companies.