Victoria University
Graduate Certificate in Public Health
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 8 months
Award-winning study model, delivered 100% online, this course will equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills to pursue a career in public health practice.
Course overview
Award-winning study model
VU Online's award-winning postgraduate Block Model recognises the complexity of students' lives while giving a consistent, manageable and connected online learning experience. Earn your Graduate Certificate in Public Health faster than on-campus with VU's unique study model.
No exams or textbooks to purchase
The online units have been designed with a student-centred approach that spans across the overarching learning outcomes to the engaging activities and self-determined assessments.
Support is available seven days a week and in the evenings.
VU Online provides you with the support you need, when you need it, during your course. VU's support network has a single focus on ensuring you are entirely supported to succeed.
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health course equips graduates with the foundational knowledge and skills to pursue a career in public health practice. The course integrates the biological basis of health with population-based intervention and policy and, in doing so, covers dimensions of the social, cultural, economic and political aspects of health.
Designed for practitioners who may already be employed in the field of public health, as well as recent graduates, this course provides the building blocks in public health in practice, epidemiology and biostatistics. It also provides a pathway, upon successful completion, to continue on to the Master of Public Health.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,164 (CSP)
August, 2025
October, 2025
What you will study
To attain the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, students are required to complete 48 credit points of core units.
Core units
- Foundations of Public Health
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1
- Public Health in Practice
- Culture and Society in Public Health
Entry requirements
To apply for the online Graduate Certificate in Public Health, you are required to have one of the following:
- Completed an Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
- Five years of approved work experience.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have completed your studies at another university or institution, you may be eligible to receive credit for skills and past studies. Units can be credited if they are part of the course structure you are applying for. Please note that credits relating to prior VU subjects are automatically granted and no further action is required.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Roles in public health are diverse and in high demand. They cover areas of health promotion, disease prevention and policy. Depending on your career goals and skill set, studying the Graduate Certificate in Public Health course with VU Online will open up numerous roles that may interest you.
- Public health officer
- Non-government organisation worker
- Community development officer
- Health promoter
- Public health researcher
- Health educator
- Program officer
- Project officer
Fees and CSP
Estimated total cost in 2025: $4,656 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative total cost in 2025: $12,800 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Student fees shown are subject to change. You may also be required to pay student amenities fees. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is where the government pays for part of your unit fees. This is a subsidy, not a loan, so you do not need to repay it. Your remaining fees may also be eligible for FEE-HELP.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
