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Enhance your professional career in health with an advanced knowledge of public health issues in Australia and internationally. Develop practical skills to provide meaningful and informed healthcare in the Tropics with a degree aligned with the core principles of public health defined by the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions in Australia (CAPHIA).

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#1 in Queensland

for full-time employment outcomes Good Universities Guide 2023, PG Health Services

#1 in Queensland

for median graduate salary Good Universities Guide 2023, PG Health Services

Enhance your expertise

Build the skills to progress your career

Online

Online: February, July

$18,980.00⁺

⁺total estimated tuition fee

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

1 year part-time

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline; or equivalent

English language requirements

Band 2

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

101811

What to expect

Take the next step in your health career with the Graduate Certificate of Public Health. Become equipped to address pressing public health issues relevant to tropical Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. 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 Certificate of Public Health degree focuses on developing strategies that protect and promote the health and wellbeing of tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities. As you study public health, you will explore a specialised body of theoretical and technical knowledge in the discipline of public health and learn how to apply your knowledge to diverse contexts and settings.

In this six-month degree, you will undertake four core subjects: Tropical Public Health; Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy; Epidemiology for Public Health; and Communicable Disease Control. These subjects will give you a thorough understanding of the main pillars of public health and will equip you to identify public health issues, assess their contributing factors, develop strategies to address these issues, and apply your knowledge and skills appropriately and effectively.

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 Certificate of Public Health, you will be prepared 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 practice with an evidence-based approach to health informed by recent developments in the field.

View the handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

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 Certificate of Public Health. Additional information

Graduate Certificate in Public Health

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding career in a growing and highly valued field? Well, you might not be fully qualified for a career in public health yet, but you will be if you complete JCU’s Grad Cert in Public Health. In only six months, you will develop valuable skills and knowledge in public health, enabling you to address important public health issues in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. You can contribute your own valuable insight to the extremely vital work done by public health authorities around the world when it comes to protecting the health, safety and lives of the most vulnerable communities, and make yourself a desirable employee for public health employers. The world has never been more acutely aware of how important public health is, and it’s not going to become less so in the future. Secure a future-proof career with limitless potential by studying public health at JCU.

What You Will Learn

This certificate has been developed to prepare you for a future in public health, designed in accordance with the core principles of public health, with a curriculum developed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the field and work according to industry standards. You will study four core subjects:

Tropical Public Health
Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy
Epidemiology for Public Health
Communicable Disease Control

During the six months it takes to complete this certificate, you will learn about problems facing vulnerable communities and how to develop strategies to detect, prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases. You will study a specialised body of knowledge in public health and learn how to apply your knowledge to different settings and diverse contexts. You will finish your certificate able to identify public health issues, assess contributing factors and develop strategies to address the problem. You will be able to make ethical decisions based on evidence and recent developments in the field.

Your Future Career

Studying JCU’s Grad Cert in Public Health provides an excellent basis for a range of rewarding careers in the field, offering endless opportunities for you to explore your passions. JCU’s certificate is the number one Grad Cert in Public Health in Queensland when it comes to full-time employment outcomes, with a median salary of $89,700 for those who have previously completed it. You can go on to find employment in various settings, including government organisations, health care settings, community settings and non-profit and international organisations. The most directly applicable roles are ones focused on the health of the population, prevention of poor health outcomes and promotion of health and wellbeing, but there are plenty of other opportunities as well. If you want to aim even higher, you can go on to study for a graduate diploma or master’s in Public Health, also available at JCU.

Apply and Study a Grad Cert in Public Health Online

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health at JCU is completely online, making it easy to fit around other commitments and possible to complete from anywhere in the country. It takes six months to complete full-time and one year if you study part-time. If public health is your calling, apply to study for this certificate through JCU’s online application portal. Hide additional information

Career Opportunities

JCU Graduate Certificate of Public Health graduates are equipped with advanced skills and are employed in a wide range of healthcare 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.

Alternatively, go on to complete the Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Graduate Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Master of Public Health or Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2023
Course code	101811
Course type	Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8)
Owner	Academy
College	Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline, from this or another university; or

Other qualifications recognised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine as equivalent to the above; or

Submission, as an exceptional case, of other evidence of professional and academic attainments, including employment for a minimum of five years in health related activities.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection. In assessing applications the following will be considered: prior academic performance and prior relevant work experience.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Additional selection requirements

Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

12 credit points

Course learning outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate of Public Health will be able to:

Integrate and apply a specialised body of theoretical and technical knowledge in the disciplines of public health across diverse tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous contexts
Review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise information, data and evidence to devise appropriate strategies to detect, prevent and control communicable and non‐communicable diseases ensuring safe and healthy environments for tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities
Critically reflect upon the socio‐ecological nature of health promotion and its application in optimising the health and well-being of tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities
Critically reflect upon and engage in professional public health practice based on ethical decision making and an evidence- based approach, including consideration of recent developments in the field
Apply specialised human, project and organisational management skills within a public health and policy context to effect efficient and equitable gains in public health
Communicate theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions through advanced literacy and numeracy skills to specialist and non‐specialist audiences
Demonstrate personal autonomy and accountability for their own future personal and professional development and contribute to the professional development of others, by engaging in critical reflective practice in relation to knowledge, skills and attitudes and their application to the specialty of public health

Inherent Requirements

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 visit: Postgraduate Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

TM5502:03 Tropical Public Health

TM5513:03 Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy

TM5515:03 Epidemiology for Public Health

TM5525:03 Communicable Disease Control

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
External	Some subjects may require face-to-face on campus attendance

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1 year part-time
Maximum time to complete	3 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Nil

Credit

Eligibility	Not applicable
Maximum allowed	Not applicable
Currency	Not applicable
Expiry	Not applicable
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Award title	GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Approved abbreviation	GCertPH
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Students who complete this course are eligible for entry to either the Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Master of Public Health or Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and may be granted credit for all subjects completed under the graduate certificate.
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD18,980.00

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.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma 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.

Student

Nathan Dawes

Master of Public Health

JCU’s Public Health courses are facilitated by dedicated, experienced staff who recognise each student as an individual and with a unique set of postgraduate circumstances. A must do for any health care practitioner wishing to further themselves.
Student

Vanessa Ernst

Graduate Certificate of Public Health

The course content in the Graduate Certificate of Public Health is as fascinating as it is diverse. Guest lecturers provide unique perspectives, and course coordinators do a fantastic job of scaffolding information delivery to support students with online learning.
Alumni

Robbie Gillies

Master of Public Health Graduate and Young Victorian of the Year

I loved being in a new place and meeting new people from the Master of Public Health. We had amazing professors and specialists teaching us tropical medicine. All the highlights from my time there are framed by the scenery and the experience of living in beautiful Townsville.
Lecturer

Associate Professor Stephanie Topp

Global Health and Development, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences

In Public Health and Tropical Medicine, we have an unusually broad range of subjects that allows students to tailor their Master degree to meet any one of the many options that public health graduates have. This includes aeromedical retrieval, tropical medicine, communicable disease control and humanitarian work
Employer

Barbra Kurkowski

Area Manager (Townsville), Northern Queensland Primary Health Network

I hire JCU graduates because they have a local context and knowledge of North Queensland. They have studied a comprehensive public health degree with diverse subjects, but local relevance. It’s very important for us to grow and keep skilled workforce in North Queensland.