Program Overview

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Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Specialise in public health issues relevant to tropical Australia, surrounding nations and developing countries.

Fast Facts

• Domestic: You’re a domestic student if you are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, are an Australian permanent resident, or hold an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.
• International: You’re an international student if you intend to study on a student visa, are not a citizen of Australian or New Zealand, are not an Australian permanent resident, or don’t hold an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

Location

• JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Online
  • Townsville

Commencing

• The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Online: February, July
  • Townsville: February, July

Fees

• Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $10,790.00+
  • $31,710.00^
  • ^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
  • Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
  • Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
  • Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are subject to change in following years.

Duration

• The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 1.5 years full-time

Entry Requirements

• This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge
  • AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant discipline; or equivalent

Course Code

• The course code is JCU's unique identifier for this course.
  • 74204

Course Detail

• What to expect
  • Pursue your passion with a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, one of only two degrees of this kind offered globally.
  • Complete most of your studies online, and benefit from immersive learning experiences in the north of Queensland by studying elective block mode subjects that focus on tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
  • Develop your professional judgement and ethical decision making using evidence-based approaches. Use your knowledge and expertise in public health core competencies and tropical medicine to become an effective leader for positive change in the communities in which you work.
  • View the handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

About JCU's Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

• Build on your skills and experience as a health professional with one of the best MPH programs in Australia. Earn your Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine degree (similar to a Masters Degree in Public Health) through JCU and gain a specialised understanding of the most pressing health issues in the region and throughout the world.

A World-Class Education

• Take advantage of JCU's unique geographical placement and connections with private and government entities. Build a solid foundation of the skills and knowledge required to deliver programs that promote health, prevent disease and protect the health of the population. Study your way in a flexible environment that matches your needs. Equip yourself through online (external) courses or a mix of online and on-campus classes. Choose block intensives to maximise your learning while minimising disruption to your schedule.
• Gain crucial experience in public health graduate programs as you work in some of the world's leading research facilities. Build your resume and practical knowledge at cutting-edge laboratories. Connect with leaders in the field to build your network of professional connections.
• Learn through courses with small class sizes under lecturers committed to student success. Become a well-rounded professional with well-developed communication skills and the ability to critically analyse information.

Study JCU's MPH Programs and Become a Change-Maker

• Take part in research that makes a difference. Prepare yourself to effect meaningful change in community health outcomes in rural, urban, and tropical environments. Understand the challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as well as issues of public health management.
• Learn about the unique challenges of tropical living through studies in human parasitology. Become an effective researcher skilled in identifying diseases and developing interventions. Improve the quality of life for others and learn how to best implement public health policies to stop the spread of disease.
• Be a part of cutting-edge research into emerging health threats. Work to decrease health disparities for marginalised peoples. Build on your passion to make a difference with real-world skills through one of the best public health masters programs in Australia.

A Masters Degree in Public Health That Can Lead to a Successful Career

• Prepare for success using applied and experiential learning to become a leader in advancing global public health. Work at home or abroad and choose your own direction in public health, laboratory research, private corporations, or academia.
• Work with local governments in disaster preparedness or as a specialist in biosecurity. Advance community health by researching and implementing initiatives or working in child and maternal health in communities at risk.
• Use your leadership skills as an environmental health director to oversee staff and policies in clinics or hospitals. Track down patterns of disease to prevent illness and educate others on how to stop its spread. Advocate for marginalised people and help public services understand the distinct health challenges tropical, rural and remote communities face.

Create a Brighter Future With a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

• Use your skills in research and your knowledge of disease and illness to make the world a better place for everyone. Boost the health of communities. Advocate for the health of those without a public voice. Go beyond just treating disease, identify the issues and work towards preventing illness and improving the quality of life in under-served communities.

Inherent Requirements

• Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Career Opportunities

• JCU Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine graduates are equipped with specialist skills and are employed in a wide range of healthcare settings.
• You could find employment in State and Commonwealth Government organisations, health care settings, community settings, non-profit and international organisations.
• This could include working in roles related to disease control and protection of the health of the population living in tropical areas, and promotion of health and wellbeing.

Handbook

• Visit the JCU Course and Subject Handbook.

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD10,790.00
• Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD31,710.00
• A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Pathways to JCU

• A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in this subject area can be used as a pathway into this course.
• Explore JCU’s available Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas here or contact our friendly JCU Future Students Team to find out more.

How to Apply

• Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
• Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine applicants must also complete and upload the following forms and documentary evidence with their application:
  • Current AHPRA Registration (if applicable)
  • Degree Testamur
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement or Letter of Motivation.

Real Stories

• Student: Angus Lane (MBBS) Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  • The lecturers and academic staff are a real highlight for me. They are engaged, passionate and up-to-date on world affairs, and have always been approachable for advice, support or to further cultivate your interest in public health or tropical medicine.
• Alumni: Dr Faith Alele Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  • I had a beautiful experience at JCU. The support was extraordinary and beyond my expectations. Now when I have the opportunity to work in the public health sector I can do things much more differently compared to when I was working without the knowledge gained in my Public Health and Tropical Medicine degree.
• Lecturer: Professor Stephanie Topp Global Health and Development, College of Medicine and Dentistry
  • In Public Health and Tropical Medicine, we have an unusually broad range of subjects that allows students to tailor their Master degree to meet any one of the many options that public health graduates have. This includes aeromedical retrieval, tropical medicine, communicable disease control and humanitarian work.

Real-World Experience

• A unique career Working as a 'flying doctor' in remote Australia Learn More