Program Overview

Master of Public Health/Master of Health Research

The Master of Public Health/Master of Health Research is a two-year double degree that combines the essential knowledge and skills of public health and health research. This course is designed to equip students with the tools to investigate, critique, and respond to real-world population health problems in local and global contexts.

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.

Career Opportunities

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

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.

• Core Units: 8 units, 80 credit points
  • Public Health:
    • PHM516 Indigenous Health
    • PHM552 Epidemiology
    • PHM559 Health Policy
    • PHM567 Public Health
  • Health Research:
    • PHM526 Research Design
    • PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact
    • PHM553 Biostatistics
    • PHM588 Qualitative Research
• Specialist Electives: 4 units, 40 credit points
  • Public Health Stream:
    • PHM523 Health Promotion
    • PHM529 Sexual and Reproductive Health
    • PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation
    • PHM592 Global Health
    • DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context
    • ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy
    • PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making
    • PHM566 Chronic Conditions Control
    • PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health
  • Health Research Stream:
    • PHM517 Public Health Anthropology
    • PHM519 Clinical Trials and Other Intervention Studies
    • PHM525 Indigenous Health Research
    • PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases
• Research Units: 1-2 units, 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)

Study Plan

The recommended study plan provided 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.

Entry Requirements

• Admission Criteria: Successful completion of one of the following:
  • A recognised Bachelor degree or a Graduate Diploma or Master's degree in a related area
  • A recognised Bachelor degree plus an Honours degree or a Graduate Diploma or Master's degree in a non-related area
• Related Areas: Public health, health science, primary health care, medicine, social science, or health promotion
• English Language Requirements:
  • DOMESTIC STUDENTS: 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
  • INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed

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

Fees

• Commonwealth Supported Places: Available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements
• Full Fee Paying Places: Available in this course
• International Tuition Fees: The annual tuition fee for full-time study in 2026 is AUD $34,736.00

Why Study a Health Course at CDU?

• #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