Master of Public Health in Public Health

COURSE CURRICULUM

The Project Stream of ACU’s Master of Public Health, commencing in Semester 1 full-time, is structured over two years to provide a combination of core public health knowledge, research skills, practical experience, and elective study. In Year 1 Semester 1, students complete foundational units including PUBH610 History and Principles of Public Health, PUBH620 Biostatistics, PUBH630 Determinants of Health, and HLSC641 Introduction to Health Sciences Research, the latter delivered online in a scheduled format. Semester 2 builds on this foundation with PUBH611 Health Promotion, PUBH621 Epidemiology, PUBH631 Disease Prevention and Management, and PUBH632 Public Health Law and Policy, equipping students with the theoretical and analytical tools needed for public health practice. Year 2 Semester 1 focuses on preparation for practical work through PUBH649 Preparation for Practice, which has prerequisites in PUBH620 and PUBH611 and includes coordination with other project units. Students also select three elective units in this semester, allowing for personalised learning and development of specialised interests. Semester 2 provides hands-on experience with PUBH655 Practice Placement, which requires prior completion of PUBH649 and runs alongside elective study, with three additional electives available to tailor the program to professional goals. All units are delivered in multi-mode unless otherwise indicated, enabling a mix of flexible learning options and on-campus engagement. This structure ensures that graduates develop both the theoretical understanding and practical skills required to work effectively in public health, while also allowing for personalised exploration of specific public health interests through elective units.