University of Canberra
Master of Public Health (Extended)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Gain the skills needed to analyse health information and plan and manage public health programs for populations, communities and individuals.
Course overview
The Master of Public Health (Extended) course is delivered in partnership with the esteemed UC Health Research Institute to help you gain the skills needed to analyse health information and plan and manage public health programs for communities and populations.
Key features of the extended course are enhanced training in epidemiology and biostatistics and increased work-integrated learning opportunities, allowing you to apply your selected public health expertise in mentored workplace settings. This interdisciplinary degree focuses on the ecological model of public health, emphasising and analysing the important interactions between social, biological, economic and environmental influences on human health.
You’ll graduate equipped with the skills and knowledge to understand and deliver the core elements of public health confidently. Your understanding of the multiple systems in which public health operates will allow you to investigate and apply interdisciplinary and creative approaches to address real-world problems within the goals of sustainable development.
The course also has an emphasis on health equity and the development of culturally safe public health practices with a spotlight on First Nations’ health imperatives, locally and globally.
Study a Master of Public Health at UC and you will:
- Be prepared to undertake core elements and competencies for public health.
- Understand the social determinants of health.
- Be equipped with the skills to develop health-promoting and sustaining environments.
- Understand ecological public health and its real-world application.
- Be able to analyse public health problems and develop solutions critically.
- Possess an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge associated with contemporary and emerging local and global public health issues.
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary approaches to public health with key stakeholders.
- Confidently plan and execute a substantial research-based project or capstone experience aligned with one of the key themes of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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
10th August, 2026
15th February, 2027
9th August, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Public Health (Extended), students must complete 48 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth three credit points.
Students must pass 45 credit points as follows:
- Research Planning
- Research Project in Health (six credit points)
- Epidemiology and Principles of Research
- Communicable Disease Control
- Ecological Public Health
- Global Health
- Health Economics
- Healthy and Sustainable Places
- Health Promotion Principles
- Policy and Public Health
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Evaluation of Health Programs
- Public Health Practice
- Advanced Epidemiology
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must have completed a bachelor's degree.
Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit and the number of available places.
Assumed knowledge
Students are expected to have basic competency in understanding biostatistical concepts.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible, you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 6.5. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course, please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate specialised theoretical knowledge and applied skills in the practice of public health.
- Apply advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge associated with contemporary and emerging local and global public health issues.
- Interpret and effectively communicate public health information via a multidisciplinary lens, demonstrating high-level skills in communication and advocacy.
- Demonstrate the application of selected public health competencies through the provision of mentored workplace opportunities.
- Investigate and apply interdisciplinary and creative approaches to generate solutions to real-world problems.
- Identify solutions to public health problems by planning, designing and executing ethical research projects in a public health domain within the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Critically analyse public health programs and evaluate recent developments in the field.
- Reflect on culturally safe public health practices with a focus on First Nations health imperatives locally and globally.
Career outcomes
Completion of this course opens doors to a variety of careers in public health, including but not limited to:
- Public Health Officer
- Community Health Officer
- Health Policy Officer
- Health Project Officer
- Health Program Officer
- Health Educator
- Epidemiological Officer
- Healthy Lifestyle Project Officer
- Public Health Communications Officer
- Policy Officer
- Advocacy Officer
Fees and CSP
Estimated annual fee in 2026: $9,537 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
The estimated fee is calculated based on your total and full-time study load of 24 credit points.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- 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.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
