Australian Catholic University

Master of Public Health

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Course Type: Master's

Prepare graduates with specialised knowledge, skills and understanding in public health to enhance population health and well-being.

Course overview

ACU’s Master of Public Health prepares graduates to practice with a community, national, or global focus and an ethical, social justice perspective. It allows students to develop advanced and specialised knowledge across the discipline of public health, emphasising evidence-based practice, rigorous intellectual inquiry, innovation and thought leadership and effective communication and advocacy skills.

Students may complete their Master of Public Health through a Research Pathway (undertaking additional research training and completing a minor thesis) or a Capstone Pathway (involving a capstone experience, such as a practice-based project). Elective units and a specialisation option are also available.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
24 months (Full time)
Campus
Melbourne
Intake
New start dates announced soon
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
16
Fees
More Information
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
HECS, CSP

What you will study

To complete the Master of Public Health, a student must fulfil 160 credit points, consisting of:

Year 1

  • History and Principles of Public Health
  • Biostatistics
  • Determinants of Health
  • Introduction to Health Sciences Research
  • Health Promotion
  • Epidemiology
  • Disease Prevention and Management
  • Public Health Law and Policy

Year 2

  • Preparation for Practice
  • Practice Placement
  • Six elective units

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International students must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have:

  • A Bachelor's degree (or higher) or equivalent; OR
  • Completed a Graduate Diploma in Public Health; AND

Either:

  • A grade point average of at least 4.2  on the ACU 7-point scale in a Bachelor's degree.
  • A minimum of two years of professional experience in health (or related field), including Honours or other postgraduate studies in health.
  • Suitable practical experience in public health, global health or humanitarian assistance to the satisfaction of the course coordinator.

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduates have pursued careers in:

  • The Health Sector
  • Education
  • Government
  • Service Sectors

Fees and CSP

Indicative first-year fee in 2026: $9,536 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 80 credit points (normally eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.