Graduate Certificate in Public Health (M5W)

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 2 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Online
Semester 1, Semester 2

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

There is no better time to embark on or advance your career in public health and learn how tackle contemporary and emerging public health challenges in a local and global context. Study online or at our Hobart campus.

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health develops foundation competencies required for effective public health practice in Australia and globally. It encourages students to think broadly about the factors that affect health and wellbeing including social, environmental, cultural, economic, political and structural determinants.

This course also aims to empower students as practitioners who can address public health challenges via public health practice that is culturally competent, collaborative, evidence-based and builds capacity for public health action. This program is relevant to those who work within public health as well as those wanting to move into the field of public health.

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health will equip you with a sound understanding of public health principles, epidemiological concepts and evaluating interventions. This course articulates with the Master of Public Health which is the cornerstone for a career in public health practice which includes epidemiologists, health policy analysts, or planning health promotion or environmental health programs.

  • 1 Identify health challenges of local and global populations to inform decision making in public health practice, policy, and actions.
  • 2 Apply evidence-based reasoning and knowledge of public health principles to assess public health actions that focus on prevention, protection and improving the health of the population.
  • 3 Engage, collaborate and communicate for ethical public health action and advance health equity.
  • Career outcomes

    The curriculum is informed by competency standards articulated by the Council of Public Health Institutions in Australasia (CAPHIA). There is currently no professional accreditation required for public health tertiary qualifications.

    Course structure

    This unit explores the principles, theories and practice of epidemiology. Students are provided with a comprehensive introduction to the collection and interpretation of epidemiological data within the framework of health, health care delivery and human services. The unit content covers…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces the scope of public health practice in the 21st century and the social, political and economic context within which public health practitioners operate. The unit combines theoretical and practical material to assist students to understand the social…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 2 Core Option Units from the list.

    Globally, health systems are tasked with responding to contemporary challenges and the related disease burden and health needs of their population. This unit takes a systems approach to examine how health systems are designed, the key components, who pays, and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Systems thinking is an approach to public health that allows us to understand and manage complex problems. The purpose of this unit is to introduce key systems thinking concepts and practical methods to address complexity to improve the health of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Evaluation is a core function of public health and health system leadership. It provides evidence to improve the design, delivery, reach and impact of health interventions in the many different contexts of the health system. This unit develops student competencies…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit focuses on the practical development of interventions and strategies to reduce the major risk factors for the major non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart and lung diseases, cancers and diabetes, including tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit offers an introduction to the fundamental concepts of biostatistics, providing a background in descriptive and analytical methods that are used to estimate associations between variables. This unit covers statistical theory, data entry and manipulation methods, data summarising, basic…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Communicable Disease Epidemiology will explore communicable diseases of humans from an epidemiological perspective. It will provide an introductory overview of the basic biological knowledge needed to understand the interactions within and between populations of microbes, human and other animals. Students…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Entry requirements

    Tertiary: Successful completion of an AQF 7 Bachelor degree or equivalent

    Where standard entry is not able to be met the following criteria for alternative entry will be considered by the Course Coordinator:

    • At least 3 years relevant work experience (Specific occupations, workplace settings and industries are more relevant for specific courses and will receive greater weighting in consideration) demonstrating the relevance of the course;
    • A record of high achievement in any other qualifications or uncompleted undergraduate qualifications such as Distinction average.

    This course is not available to international students. Please enquire online for advice on alternative course options.

    Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.

     

    Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Health may receive full (50 cpt) credit into the Graduate Diploma of Public Health (M6W) or the Master of Public Health (M7W). The Graduate Certificate in Public Health provides an exit award for the Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Master of Public Health.

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Scholarships

    For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps