Charles Darwin University

Master of Public Health and Master of Health Research Online

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

Develop advanced public health and health research expertise through online postgraduate study, combining evidence-based public health practice, research skills and a supervised research project to address complex population health challenges.

Course overview

The Master of Public Health / Master of Health Research from Charles Darwin University is a double master's degree designed for graduates seeking advanced knowledge in public health and health research. Delivered online and available full-time or part-time, the course prepares graduates to investigate, evaluate and respond to complex population health issues in local and global contexts while developing advanced research capability.

The curriculum develops advanced knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics, quantitative and qualitative research methods, evidence-based public health practice and health research. You will learn from Menzies School of Health Research professionals with expertise in Indigenous health, global health and public health practice while undertaking a supervised research project that applies research skills to a contemporary public health or health research topic.

Apply public health approaches to:

  • Health Promotion
  • Disease Control
  • Health Systems
  • Health Policy
  • Decision Making
  • The Environment
  • The Sustainable Development Goals

On successful completion, you will graduate with the Master of Public Health / Master of Health Research. Graduates may pursue career opportunities across government and non-government organisations in areas including health research, public health practice, health policy and planning, epidemiology, communicable and chronic disease control, community development and aid work.

This course requires a high level of academic reading and writing. The University's academic support services are available if needed.

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
Online
Course Type
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
24 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,647
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.

$1,192 (CSP)
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You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. Fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Intake
1st March, 2027
Units
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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
FEE-HELP loans and HECS-HELP loans are available to assist eligible domestic students with the cost of a university program.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Master of Public Health/Master of Health Research, you must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points. 

Core

Compulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below:

Public Health

  • Indigenous Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health

Health Research

  • Research Design
  • Research, Ethics and Impact
  • Biostatistics
  • Qualitative Research
Specialist Elective
Research

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:

  • Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree, graduate diploma, or master's degree in a related area
    or
  • Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree plus an honours degree, graduate diploma, or master's degree in a non-related area.

Related areas include public health, health science, primary health care, medicine, social science and 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.

English language requirements

The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language
  • Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
  • Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
  • Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
  • Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
  • Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in non-government organisations (NGOs) and government sectors in areas such as: health research, professional health practice, health policy and planning, epidemiology, communicable and chronic disease control, community development and aid work.

Fees and CSP

Estimated total fee in 2026: $19,072 (Commonwealth Supported Places).

Estimated total fee in 2026: $58,352 (Domestic full-fee paying place).

Student fees may vary per:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

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 only need to pay some 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.
  • Depending 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.