Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Take the next step in your health career with the Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Become equipped to address pressing public health issues relevant to tropical Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Gain an in-depth understanding of the urgent problems facing vulnerable communities and learn how to develop strategies to detect, prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases, ensuring safe and healthy environments for tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

JCU’s Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine degree has a strong focus on the prevention and control of communicable diseases in tropical contexts. You will study an advanced body of theoretical and technical knowledge in the disciplines of public health and tropical medicine, particularly in the areas of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and the investigation and management of tropical diseases.

Throughout your studies, you will learn about the importance of reconciliation, diversity and sustainability in relation to the socio-ecological nature of public health in Indigenous, tropical, rural and remote contexts.

This one-year degree includes five core subjects: Tropical Medicine; Tropical Public Health; Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy; Epidemiology for Public Health; and Communicable Disease Control. You can tailor this public health degree to suit your interests by choosing three elective subjects that cover a broad range of topics such as infection prevention and control, health promotion, human parasitology, social science in public health, travel medicine, environmental health, biostatistics, and health economics.

This course is designed in accordance to the core principles of public health as defined by the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions in Australia (CAPHIA), ensuring that your knowledge and skills are aligned with industry standards.

Upon completing the Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, you will be ready to enhance your career and undertake leadership roles in the health sector. You will be able to apply specialised human, project and organisational management skills within a public health and policy context. Your knowledge, skills and training in professional public health and tropical medicine practice will enable you to make ethical decisions and practice with an evidence-based approach to health informed by recent development in the field.

Consult the handbook for requirements and further information.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

JCU Public Health and Tropical Medicine graduates acquire the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their practice and manage public health priorities in tropical environments.

You could find employment in State and Commonwealth Government organisations, health care settings, community settings, non-profit and international organisations.

This could include working in roles related to disease control and protection of the health of the population living in tropical areas, and promotion of health and wellbeing.

You could also continue on to study the Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine applicants must also complete and upload the following forms and documentary evidence with their application:

• Current AHPRA Registration (if applicable)
• Degree Testamur
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement or Letter of Motivation.

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.