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CDU student Robyn Bennet
Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Public Health/Master of Health Research

Key details

Duration

2 year/s full-time
4 year/s part-time
2 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

160

Course code

BPHHR1
SATAC codes

Overview

Combining a Master of Public Health with a Master of Health Research will give greater flexibility and opportunity to your career. This double degree is a strong modern qualification that will enable you to tackle contemporary and future population health issues with high level public health and health research skills. It is also an alternative pathway to Higher Degrees by Research. This double degree will equip students with the tools to investigate, critique and respond to real-world population health problems in local and global contexts, as well as advanced knowledge and skills in health research design and evidence-based practice.

Unique features of the course include learning from acclaimed Menzies School of Health Research professionals in the specialist areas of Indigenous health, global health, public health practice and health research. Our students study epidemiology, biostatistics, quantitative and qualitative research methods. You will learn to analyse and interpret population health information, evaluate and design public health interventions and formulate evidence-based strategies to address complex health and social issues.

Apply public health approaches to:

  • health promotion
  • disease control
  • health systems
  • health policy
  • decision making
  • the environment and
  • the sustainable development goals

Consolidate your learning by undertaking a research project supervised by an expert in the field.

This course requires a high level of academic reading and writing. Students who are not confident in their academic literacy skills are encouraged to fully utilise the university's academic support services.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $31,584.00. This equates to $ $3,948.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Stephen Kho - Public Health Research

Why study a health course at CDU?

As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
  • Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

What will I study?

The Master of Public Health/Master of Health Research is a two-year double degree. The core units cover the essential knowledge and skills of public health and health research. The choice of specialist electives provides opportunities for students to explore various specialist areas of public health and health research. The research project enables students to plan and implement a substantial research-based project in the public health or health research areas, under the supervision of an experienced researcher. The capstone units enable students to undertake significant pieces of scholarship such as an advocacy strategy and an economic proposal. Delivered externally online; some units are also offered with an internal option.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core   
(8 units)
80cpCompulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below:   

Public Health   
PHM516 Indigenous Health   
PHM552 Epidemiology   
PHM559 Health Policy   
PHM567 Public Health   

Health Research   
PHM526 Research Design   
PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact (new title 2021)   
PHM553 Biostatistics   
PHM588 Qualitative Research (new title 2021)   
 
Specialist Electives   
(4 units)
40cpSpecialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from ANY of the following streams. (Students are advised to choose electives that will build content knowledge in the intended area of research)   

Public Health Stream   
PHM523 Health Promotion   
PHM529 Sexual and Reproductive Health   
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation (new title 2020)   
PHM592 Global Health   
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy orENV508 Geographic Information Systems   
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context   
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making (new title 2020)   
PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control   
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health (new title 2020)   

Health Research Stream   
PHM517 Public Health Anthropology   
PHM519 Clinical Trials and Other Intervention Studies (replaces PHM524 from 2021)   
PHM525 Indigenous Health Research   
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases
Research   
(1-2 units)
40cpResearch units totalling 40 credit points:   

2 x PHM820 Research Project (Part Time) (20 credit point repeatable unit)   
Or   
1 x PHM840 Research Project (Full Time) (40 credit points)   
 
Course Total160cp 

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (160cp)

Study plan


STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.             
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist Elective

DOMESTIC STUDENT 
(Note: student visa holders must follow the International student study plan for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS below)

Full-Time Study Plan          

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
PHM516 Indigenous HealthCOPHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact (new title 2021)  CO
PHM526 Research DesignCOPHM553 BiostatisticsCO
PHM552 EpidemiologyCOPHM559 Health PolicyCO
PHM567 Public HealthCOPHM588 Qualitative Research (new title 2021)CO
Year 2
Specialist ElectiveSEPHM840 Research Project (40cp)R
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  

 

Specialist Elective Unit Availability

Semester 1Semester 2

Public Health Stream                  
PHM523 Health Promotion                  
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation (new title 2020)                  
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making (new title 2020)                  
PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control                  
PHM592 Global Health                  
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context                  
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy orENV508 Geographic Information Systems

Health Research Stream                  
PHM519 Clinical Trials and Other Intervention Studies (replaces PHM524 from 2021)

Public Health Stream                  
PHM529 Sexual and Reproductive Health                  
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health (new title 2020)

Health Research Stream                  
PHM517 Public Health Anthropology                  
PHM525 Indigenous Health Research                  
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Disease

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Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist Elective

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

(Note: International student visa holders are required to enrol internally on a full-time load each semester and follow the relevant study plan)

Full-Time Study Plan            

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
PHM567 Public HealthCOPHM559 Health Policy  CO
PHM592 Global HealthSEPHM588 Qualitative Research (new title 2021)CO
PHM552 EpidemiologyCOPHM553 BiostatisticsCO
PHM526 Research DesignCOPHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact (new title 2021)CO
Year 2
PHM516 Indigenous HealthCOPHM840 Research Project (40cp)R
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in ContextSE  
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy OR ENV508 Geographic Information SystemsSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  

 

Specialist Elective Unit Availability

PHM519 Clinical Trials and Other Intervention Studies                  
PHM523 Health Promotion                  
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation (new title 2020)                  
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making (new title 2020)                  
PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control

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_____________________________________

STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.             
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist Elective

DOMESTIC STUDENT

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact (new title 2021)  CO
  PHM553 BiostatisticsCO
  PHM559 Health PolicyCO
  PHM588 Qualitative Research (new title 2021)CO
Year 2
PHM516 Indigenous HealthCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
PHM526 Research DesignCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
PHM552 Epidemiology COSpecialist ElectiveSE
PHM567 Public HealthCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Year 3
PHM840 Research Project (40cp)R  

 

Specialist Elective Unit Availability

Semester 1Semester 2

Public Health Stream                  
PHM523 Health Promotion                  
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation (new title 2020)                  
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making (new title 2020)                  
PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control                  
PHM592 Global Health                  
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context                  
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy orENV508 Geographic Information Systems

Health Research Stream                  
PHM519 Clinical Trials and Other Intervention Studies (replaces PHM524 from 2021)

Public Health Stream                  
PHM529 Sexual and Reproductive Health                  
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health (new title 2020)

Health Research Stream                  
PHM517 Public Health Anthropology                  
PHM525 Indigenous Health Research                  
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Disease

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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of one of the following:

  • a recognised bachelor degree or a graduate diploma or masters degree in a related area; or
  • a recognised bachelor degree plus an honours degree or a graduate diploma or masters degree in a non-related area.


Related areas include: public health, health science, primary health care, medicine, social science or health promotion.

Note: Bachelor of Nursing is not an approved degree for this course. Applicants with a degree in this field are encouraged to apply for either the Graduate Diploma of Health Research or Public Health. Applicants with extensive experience in rural and remote practice may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who have completed Charles Darwin University's Graduate Certificate of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (UIDPC1) or Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology (UEPID1) are also eligible for entry.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.

Nishat

CDU student

Nishat studying

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Health Research:Master of Public Health
Faculty/College
Menzies School of Health Research
Sector
HE
Area of study
Health, Public Health

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1CM114
Casuarina campus (FF)
1CM614
Online (CSP)
1CM114
Online (FF)
1CM614
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
103123K

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