Master of Public Health

Take the next step in your health career with the Master of Public Health. 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.

You will study an advanced body of theoretical and technical knowledge within public health to allow you to critically reflect upon and engage in professional public health practice based on ethical decision making and an evidence-based approach relevant to contemporary priorities, biostatistics, communicable disease control and public health management.

This 1.5-year degree includes five core subjects: Tropical Public Health; Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy; Epidemiology for Public Health; Biostatistics for Public Health; and Communicable Disease Control. You can tailor this public health degree to suit your interests by choosing elective subjects that cover a broad range of topics such as infection prevention and control, human parasitology and medical entomology, social science in public health, health promotion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, travel medicine, environmental health, and health economics.

If you choose to and are eligible to enrol in the major in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine, you will develop a broad understanding of the foundations of prehospital and retrieval emergency care, and gain specialist skills for an exciting and rewarding career in a range of emergency medical settings.. There is also the opportunity for you to undertake a research project, conducting an in-depth investigation of an issue relevant to the public health sector and completing a high-quality dissertation.

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 Master of Public Health, 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 practice will enable you to make ethical decisions and practise with an evidence-based approach to health, informed by recent development in the field.

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine Major

By completing the Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine major as part of your MPH at James Cook University you will develop a broad understanding of the foundations of prehospital and retrieval emergency care, and gain specialist skills for an exciting and rewarding career in a range of emergency medical settings. You will gain specific skills in pre-hospital and secondary retrieval situations in accordance with Australian and international health care standards and graduate with the expertise to manage patient transportation in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in both domestic and international contexts.
Additional 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 Master of Public Health.

JCU Master of Public Health graduates are equipped with specialist public health skills and are employed in a wide range of settings.

You could find employment in state and commonwealth government organisations, health care settings, community settings, non-profit and international organisations both within and beyond the health sector.

Roles can involve work that focuses on the protection of the health of the population, prevention of poor health outcomes and promotion of health and wellbeing.

You can also complete the Master of Public Health as a joint degree with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or the Master of Public Health- Master of Global Development.

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.

Master of Public Health 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.