The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immeasurable impact on public health management, policy and strategy. At the same time, health care is shifting away from a 'break it then fix it' approach towards a more preventative focus.
With their interdisciplinary, population-wide approach to wellbeing and disease prevention, public health professionals are uniquely equipped for the challenges. Thanks to modern technology, diagnostic advances and insights from behavioural economics, they have the tools to engage with more people than ever before.
While COVID-19 has brought public health into the spotlight, it’s about much more than just epidemiology. It also incorporates:
Public health professionals are valued not only in the public sector, non-government organisations (NGOs) and academia, but also the private sector. For example, in private hospitals, consulting and research firms, pharmaceutical companies and training organisations. Your career in public health can be as focused or as broad as you like. You could work in small, remote communities to improve rates of preventable disease, take on government roles supporting national public health campaigns or research worldwide infection trends.
Whether you're already a healthcare professional or work in an entirely different industry, you're bound to learn many skills and gain interesting knowledge in this innovative area of study. Working in public health is a rewarding experience as you have the ability to make positive contributions and changes on an individual, community, national and global scale. Since studying public health can open doors to different jobs, anyone who wants to positively promote health, prevent disease and empower people to manage illnesses and disabilities will find their place in the industry.
Universities tend to have different entry requirements for each level of study but this is what you can generally expect. Speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor to confirm your eligibility to apply for a postgraduate course.
Graduate certificate
Graduate diploma
Master's degree
Online postgraduate study enables you to build theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills, while you work.
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of public health theory and research to inform best practice standards. You can immediately apply what you learn to make a greater impact in your current role and future-proof your career.
Topics covered may include:
As part of your postgraduate study in public health, you’ll learn how to:
The world of public health is vast and so are the opportunities. Careers in public health are diverse and can be guided by your own experience, interests, values and aspirations. Whatever impact you want to have on the world, postgraduate study can help you make it happen.
A few of your career options include:
Epidemiologist
Health policy advisor
Health promotion officer
Other possible career paths include:
Ready to create lasting change? Postgraduate study in public health will prepare you to:
Studying a postgraduate qualification in public health means learning from respected professionals, global experts and experienced clinicians. You’ll explore evidence-based public health policies and approaches as well as learn how to apply them within different communities.
Online learning gives you the flexibility to fit your studies around work, social and family life. You can log on from any device, any time and have access to support every step of the way. With intakes every two months, you can study one course at a time, 100 per cent online and accelerated, instantly adding value to your career and organisation.
Master’s degrees allow you to build skills and knowledge across different areas of public health – for example, health promotion and disease management and prevention. Most have graduate certificate and graduate diploma qualifications embedded within them, so you can work toward your master’s at your own pace, acquiring new skills and career-boosting qualifications along the way.
If having options throughout your studies is important to you, choose a university that offers both specialist and generalist graduate certificates that all lead to a master’s degree. You should also look into the electives you can do. If life gets busy, you can always take breaks as required.
Before choosing a graduate certificate, check the graduate diploma or master's degree it's embedded within. Some graduate certificates are specialist, whereas others are generalist. If you are starting a graduate certificate with the idea of studying for your master's degree in the future, confirm this pathway is available with your chosen course. Choose a public health course above and speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor to confirm you have chosen a pathway that aligns with your goals.
Take the first step in making a decision by reviewing the courses on offer in detail. If you can't find all of the information you are seeking, speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor who can help you understand what course is right for you.
Compile a list of the key questions you seek to answer while deciding which course to do. This list might include (but is not limited to) the following:
We list programs from our Australian university partners that are offered in the online accelerated mode of study. This mode is specifically designed to cater for busy people, who are balancing work and life while continuing their education as they build or change their careers in health and social care roles. Select a course above to enquire and connect with a Student Enrolment who can assist you with the enrolment process.