Master of Public Health / Master of Social Change and Development

What you will study

The Master of Public Health / Master of Social Change and Development requires the completion of 160 units of study, including 100 units of core courses, and 60 units selected from a curated course list. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth 10 units.

Entry requirements

Entry into this program will be available to applicants who have a Bachelor Degree (or equivalent) or higher in a related field.

Related fields include sociology, geography, anthropology and development studies, agriculture, environmental studies, education, municipal community or social work/welfare, Indigenous studies, economics, medicine, biomedical/medical science, nursing, allied health, dentistry, psychology, veterinary science, education, law, engineering, business, commerce, 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

All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Contact the university for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. 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.
• Apply advanced knowledge and skills in writing about competing development paradigms and their associated problems and issues.
• Apply advanced critical thinking and reasoning to demonstrate advanced understanding of recent development projects oriented towards social change.
• Apply critical thinking and reasoning to demonstrate advanced understanding of social change and development and apply theories of organisational leadership to building the capacity of organisations.
• Design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise social change and development projects both autonomously and as part of a team.
• An advanced capacity to demonstrate and apply specific theoretical and empirical expertise in areas of policy analysis to the economic problems facing developing economies.
• Interpret, justify and communicate development and social change projects and apply critical thinking and reasoning to social change and development issues.
• Solve a range of social change and development problems using an evidence-based approach by investigating, analysing and synthesising complex information and available resources.

Career outcomes

Upon graduation, you will be eligible for roles within the national and international health sector. You will be well-positioned for career advancement into mid-to-high-level positions.

Graduates find rewarding careers in diverse areas such as:

• Development and planning
• Local councils
• Education
• Program or project management
• Government departments working in global development

Based on your chosen electives, you will be skilled in research and professional practice. Your skills and knowledge can be applied in:

• Population health practice
• Health promotion
• Health management

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $25,360 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 80 units (normally eight courses) per year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of courses studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of courses.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

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 program.