What is a Master of Public Health?

See also: Learning Styles

Are you looking for a course and aren’t sure which is right for you and your career? A master’s degree in public health could be the perfect option, allowing you to deepen your knowledge and move into health and leadership roles. But what is a Master of Public Health?

Let us journey together to find out what a master’s degree in public health is, what you will learn, and what career awaits.

What is a master of public health?

A master’s in public health is a postgraduate course that is perfect for professionals who want to influence positive change in the current and emerging public health challenges. After completing this course, you will have the skills you need to impact public health outcomes in national, local, and global contexts. You will learn about the contemporary issues in public health, empowering you to make strategic health initiatives to promote healthier communities.

This course is offered full-time, part-time, and can be delivered online, allowing you to fit your studies around your schedule. The course can take two years to complete, with twelve units completed individually. After completing the course, you will be able to move into several roles, including the following:

  1. Public health medical officer
  2. Lecturer in health
  3. Medical/health advisor
  4. Program officer
  5. Communicable disease analyst
  6. Project officer
  7. NGO manager
  8. Health promoter
  9. Public health researcher
  10. Community health promoter
  11. Public policy and strategy consultant
  12. Health educator
  13. Health promotion research coordinator
  14. Disease preparedness researcher
  15. Disaster preparedness coordinator
  16. Infection prevention
  17. Health informatics specialist
  18. Communications manager
  19. Health administrator
  20. Senior advisor - health
  21. Policy advisor - health

What will I learn on a master’s in public health course?

What you will learn on a public health degree varies slightly depending on your chosen course. You should contact your course provider who can walk you through the units available to help you see if it is the right course. A master’s in public health may be split into twelve units and, while the titles of the units might change, you can expect to see the following included:

  1. Culture and society in public health
  2. Foundations of public health
  3. Epidemiology and biostatistics
  4. Promoting health in policy
  5. Public health in practice
  6. Public health program management
  7. Systems thinking in public health

You may also have the choice to specialise in your masters, choosing from health promotion or global health leadership, for example. These specialisations are made of four additional units, for example:

Health promotion:

  • Global contexts of health promotion practice with diverse populations

  • Innovative and evidence-based health promotion

  • Research project

  • Social media and social marketing approaches to health promotion

Global leadership:

  • Global health economics and finance

  • Global health leadership

  • Global health systems and decision making

  • Research project



What skills will I develop during a master’s in public health degree?

Along with gaining knowledge about public health, you will also develop essential soft skills, helping to make you more employable as you enter the world of work. As you work through each unit, you can expect to develop the following skills:

Problem-solving

Each unit will introduce you to new topics, which will introduce you to new challenges. As you work independently, you will have the opportunity to develop your problem-solving skills as you undertake research to complete your assignments and prepare for the complex challenges you might face in the workplace.

Communication

Throughout the course, you will submit written assignments that help to develop your communication skills. You will learn how to communicate concisely, a vital skill for success in the public health sector. You will need to communicate verbally and through the written word when working in public health. Whether it is emails, reports, or pamphlets, your information needs to be clear and easy for everyone to digest. You will improve your communication skills and become an excellent communicator through your assessments and tasks during the course.

Critical thinking

A master’s degree in public health asks you to engage in critical thinking, too, helping you to develop this skill. You will need to use critical thinking to complete your assignments, preparing you for a career in public health. Case studies and other course material engage your critical thinking skills, helping you learn how to analyse and assess information critically to find the best solution.

Time management

Studying online and on your own time requires excellent time management. You need to manage your schedule, create time to complete your classes and assignments, and set aside time for any additional reading. Doing all of this while juggling work, childcare, or other commitments can be challenging, so you need to be realistic about your time and how long you can dedicate to your studies.

The more time you spend learning to juggle various responsibilities, the better prepared you will be for the working world.

What do I need to apply for a master of public health?

The entry requirements for a master’s degree in public health will vary depending on the course provider you choose. We recommend speaking to them directly so that you know what is expected of you before beginning your application. However, most masters have similar entry requirements. For example, in Australia, you will likely need one of the following:

  • An Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline

  • An Australian graduate diploma (or equivalent) in a similar discipline

If you do not have an undergraduate qualification, then you can apply for a Graduate Certificate in public health, providing you have five years of approved work experience. This course will provide you with the knowledge and understanding that you need to progress to the master course. As you will transfer from the completed graduate certificate, you can put the qualification towards your masters.

If you are unable to complete your masters, you can exit after completing eight units and will be awarded a graduate diploma in public health. You can return to your studies to complete the four remaining units to get your master’s if you wish.

How do I apply for a master’s in public health?

The application process varies slightly depending on the course provider that you choose, but usually, you can apply following three simple steps, listed below:

  1. Speak to a student enrolment advisor, who will help determine if this is the right course for you and your career goals. Your advisor will tell you what is needed for your application, the course entry requirements and answer any questions you might have.
  2. When you are ready, start your application. You will likely need to include documentation, like a copy of your academic transcript and CV.
  3. Once you have applied, you will receive confirmation via email. You then need to wait until you hear back with a decision.

Start your public health course today

A master’s in public health opens many doors for you and allows you to progress into your dream role. What are you waiting for? Find your course today!


About the Author


Jessica Williams is an avid writer who is passionate about creating lifestyle, education, health and beauty content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her on adventures with her dog or cozying up with a book.

TOP