University of Newcastle
Master of Public Health / Master of Health Economics, Management and Policy
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Empowers students to lead transformative change in healthcare by integrating population health expertise with advanced economic and policy analysis.
Course overview
The Master of Public Health/Master of Health Economics, Management and Policy provides students with a practical toolkit, interdisciplinary skills, conceptual knowledge and expertise for emerging public health practitioners, healthcare sector leaders, project planners, managers and policy makers. This program strengthens the capabilities of the healthcare system and public health workforce by addressing the current and future global health challenges and population health issues with a combined focus on health leadership, public health, policy and health system management. This combined degree program leverages students’ prior learning and existing knowledge. It aims to foster new skills that will equip university students to be effective leaders in the industry. They can lead and conduct research and healthcare data analysis, plan and lead projects, evaluate programs and policies, engage with stakeholders and work on real-world issues. Delivered by internationally recognised academics and experts, this program is nationally and globally relevant and will enhance students’ capacity to engage in, improve outcomes and make changes effectively. The graduates of this unique combined program will have strong local and global, theoretical, applied and varied skills, ensuring their ability to make a difference in the community, research, organisation, policy and other levels.
The Master of Public Health/Master of Health Economics, Management and Policy will prepare its graduates for a rewarding career in many different areas of health, program or project planning and management, local councils and local health districts, government departments, education, medical supply and pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, regulatory agencies, integrated care organisations and not-for-profit organisations as well as the opportunity to demonstrate specialist skills in research and professional practice in the fields of population health practice, health promotion, health management, research methodology or medical statistics.
Key facts
What you will study
The Master of Public Health/Master of Health Economics, Management and Policy program consists of 160 units. Each course is worth 10 units.
Complete the following core courses to fulfil the requirements of this program:
- Biostatistics A
- Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- Health Economics and Finance
- Health Plan Design and Payments: Theory and Practice
- Applied Economic Evaluation in Healthcare
- Health Systems, Policy and Governance
- Strategic Health Leadership and Management
- Financial Management and Decision Making in Healthcare
- Introduction to Public Health
- Applied Equity-Focussed Health Impact Assessment
Entry requirements
Applicants who have a Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field will be eligible for entry into this program.
Related fields include medicine, biomedical/medical science, nursing, allied health, dentistry, psychology, veterinary science, education, law, engineering, business, commerce, management, IT, social services, governance, science and arts.
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. The English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy contains further information regarding English language proficiency requirements. Contact the university for more details.
- IELTS Overall Minimum: 6.5
- IELTS Sub Test Minimum: 6
Contact the university for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The University of Newcastle wants to help you fast-track your degree, recognising that your prior study is one way they can do that. If your application is successful, you can reduce the number of courses you need to study, saving you time and money. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will have:
- A strong capacity for collecting, monitoring and critically reviewing evidence to inform health service practice and program delivery.
- The ability to apply a range of health theories to identify and plan for the health needs of the community or specific at-risk groups.
- The ability to identify and assess social, behavioural and environmental factors affecting health and illness.
- The ability to develop effective and efficient approaches to health services and programs.
- The ability to evaluate and improve health services, using appropriate research methods.
- Specialised knowledge of theories, models and concepts relevant to health economics, management and policy and be proficient in their application.
- Expertise in applying research principles and methods for the purpose of conducting substantial health economics, management and policy projects.
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills to support the recognition, definition, analysis, and solving of complex health economics, management and policy problems, successes and more importantly failures.
- Highly developed written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Critical analytical and decision-making skills that incorporate ethical, social and global issues in relation to health economics, management and policy.
- Awareness of an openness to self-reflection and its impact on those they seek to influence.
- Effective interpersonal skills demonstrated through management/leadership capability and the capability to work effectively in teams to deliver expected outcomes.
- Professional proficiency in the utilisation of information and technology in health economics, management and policy contexts.
Career outcomes
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles within the national and international health sector. You will have the potential for career advancement into mid-high-level positions.
Potential career paths include:
- Program Planning and Management
- Local Councils and Health Districts
- Government Departments
- Education
- Health Insurers
- Regulatory Agencies
Graduates will also be skilled in research and professional practice in:
- Population Health Practice
- Health Promotion and Management
- Research Methodology
- Medical Statistics
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $29,370 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative annual fee is based on a study load of 80 units.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per trimester.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
