Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health aims to build public health capacity via public health education through:

• the provision of a multi-disciplinary Master of Public Health degree by public health specialisation coursework and minor thesis or project
• ensuring that graduates have a broad-based understanding of the determinants of health in populations
• contributing to the development and vigour of the greater public health community
• equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain and improve existing health promoting environments
• the training, retraining and enhancing the skills of health professionals to meet public health workforce needs
• carrying out research to identify public health priorities and generating initiatives for policy and action
• developing strategies to equip graduates to ensure equity in the health system and interventions to promote the health of disadvantaged groups
• developing understanding of health issues and contribute to the improvement of public health research capability worldwide
• instilling in students the rigorous standards required for excellence in research, and
• creating an environment which will attract and retain quality teaching and research staff.

On completion of the Master of Public Health, graduates will be able to:

• Identify the scope, role and functions of public health in relation to the health system, other sectors and to society
• Understand health system structures
• Develop a broad understanding of the determinants of, and influences on, the health status of populations
• Identify the political and institutional context of population health
• Be familiar with the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services
• Understand the drivers of health system change including regulatory systems, public health and other health networks, and other institutional and political influences
• Identify the role of cultural, social, and behavioural factors in determining the delivery of public health services
• Critically reflect on their own social, cultural and professional standpoint and the implications for their own public health practice in relation to other social groups
• Understand statistical inference, precision and the principles of hypothesis testing
• Develop skills in data presentation
• Understand the methods of qualitative inquiry
• Understand the basic principles and concepts of descriptive epidemiology
• Understand the principles of disease causation including the contribution of the biological, environmental, behavioural, social and cultural determinants of health
• Understand methods and theories for the prevention and control of disease
• Understand the principles of health promotion for an individual, community or organisation
• Identify and apply appropriate methods to interpret evidence for policy, programming, evaluation and management.
• Have the capacity to set priorities and develop policy
• Apply the principles and processes of program planning and management
• Apply the principles of health promotion using theory and evidence to develop implement and evaluate health promotion strategies
• Understand the principles of advocacy, lobbying, and capacity building to develop intersectoral public health action
• Be able to develop and adapt approaches to problems that take into account the cultural, physical and socio-economic aspects of gender, social, religious, geographical and ethnic (particularly Aboriginal) health issues
• Have the capacity to develop critical and supportive professional relationships to enable reflexivity in own and others public health practice with diverse social groups.

The MPH is flexible and does not have fixed streams. Students can tailor subject choices to suit their interests, provided they meet course requirements and have course coordinator approval.

CONSORTIUM SUBJECTS

All students MUST complete a minimum of FOUR Victorian Consortium of Public Health Subjects (400 level) which must include the two CORE subjects 505-101 Statistics and 505-102 Epidemiology. However, students intending to specialise in Epidemiology and Biostatistics should take 505-969 Epidemiology and Analytic Methods 1 and 505-970 Epidemiology and Analytic Methods 2 in place of 505-101 and 505-102 to ensure they have the computer skills to articulate with advanced elective subjects in this stream. 505-969 and 505-970 are not Consortium subjects but have been approved as appropriate alerternatives for the Epidemioloy and Biostatistics stream only.

GROUP 1 ELECTIVES

Students must take at least six 12.5 point elective subjects (75 points) at 500 level, in addition to the research report (25 points), to ensure they complete 100 points at Masters level to meet the University’s Masters requirements. Choices must be approved by the MPH course coordinator.

Group 1 subjects are generally taught by the Melbourne School of Population Health and in limited instances by other departments. Please note that not all Group 1 subjects appear in the MPH Course Plans that follow. Students are advised to discuss their possible elective options with their Course/Stream Coordinator before making a final decision.

GROUP 2 ELECTIVES

Group 2 subjects are taught by departments external to the School of Population Health either within the University of Melbourne, or at another university. You may elect to take UP TO TWO Group 2 Elective Subjects.

Approval to enrol in Group 2 subjects taught outside the University of Melbourne (Cross Institutional) must be gained from the Course Coordinator via a Complementary Course application form which can be obtained from the School of Population Health office and a form from the other Institution. For further advice regarding the academic level of Group 2 subjects, contact the MPH Administrator or MPH Course Coordinator.

Please note that not all Group 2 subjects that can be taken appear in the MPH Course Plans that follow. Students are advised to discuss their possible elective options with their Course/Stream Coordinator before making a final decision.

The research project is compulsory and allows students to consolidate their MPH studies in a particular discipline(s). Some research projects have pre-requisites and/or recommended subjects to help guide course planning. These subjects are offered in two consecutive semesters i.e. Semester 1 and 2 or 2 and 1. All students should consult with the MPH coordinator early in their enrolment to identify possible research project topics and supervisors. Students must complete ONE of the following:

International Students from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds are encouraged to enrol in the following Group 2 subject (400 level) offered jointly by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and the Centre for Communication Skills and English Language Studies:

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALISATIONS

Following are recommended subject combinations for specialisations within the MPH. These are guides and are not prescriptive, but students should check to see if specific research reports have set pre-requisite subject requirements. Students can obtain assistance in putting together their own inter-disciplinary course plans from the course coordinator during organized enrolment sessions at the beginning of each year, or by appointment throughout the year.

ECONOMIC EVALUATION

Students specialising in Economic Evaluation will learn to appreciate when an economic evaluation might be needed, the types of economic appraisal that are available, together with their strengths and limitations. Students will appreciate how "economic evaluation" differs from other forms of evaluation; the steps involved in conducting an economic evaluation; and the key issues of protocol design. Through practical case studies students will be able to distinguish a "good" study from a "poor" study; understand the various factors that may impact on how economic evaluation is received by managers, together with other possible stakeholders. Students will be introduced to the links between economic evaluation and priority setting/health service planning.

Economic Evaluation I is taught with a focus on case studies and practical skills in critical appraisal. Economic Evaluation II has more of a theoretical flavour (without losing the case studies), develops more complex aspects of protocol design, and provides a comprehensive introduction to priority setting. Students may usefully combine Economic Evaluation with subjects in Epidemiology (the evidence base for economic appraisal) and Program Evaluation (complementary form of appraisal). Research Projects in Economic Evaluation have considered such topics as:

• Allocative efficiency in health promotion program planning: A protocol using Program Budgeting and Marginal Analysis (PBMA);
• Assessing Cost Effectiveness (ACE) in Mental Health: Psychological and pharmacological interventions for generalized anxiety disorder;
• Cost-effectiveness of vaccines: Methodological issues

Contact Details

Core Subjects

• 505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
• 505-907, 505-908, 505-909 (Pre-reqs for the Research project)
• 505-906 (Research project)

And choose a minimum of two other appropriate Consortium subjects. Please see the section "Recommended Consortium Requirements" below for the most suitable options.

Recommended Consortium Subjects

Recommended Electives

Students are advised to include the following recommended electives and/or choose Epidemiology subjects.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS

This specialisation focuses on the core epidemiologic and analytic knowledge and skills that underpin health research and applied epidemiology. Students who specialise in Epidemiology and Biostatistics develop a broad understanding of the value and basic principles of epidemiological methods in public health, evidence-based practice and medical research, including its biostatistical underpinnings. Students develop skills in; study design and appraisal, data management and statistical analyses for handling a variety of practical problems; and the technical skills to practice in applied epidemiology in the public health setting and/or progress to further postgraduate studies in epidemiology and/or biostatistics. Students also have the opportunity to augment basic epidemiology skills with specialist knowledge and techniques in key areas - genetic, molecular and infectious disease epidemiology. Students use the research project as an opportunity to gain further applied experience in epidemiologic and analytic methods, develop higher level skills in specific methods, build networks with practitioners in their area of interest, and to apply their knowledge and skills to a particular research area, disease group, and/or population of interest.

Contact Details:

Dr Catherine Bennett
Centre for Molecular, Environmental Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology
School of Population Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 0736
Fax: +61 3 9349 5815
Email: c.bennett@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Mark Jenkins
Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology
School of Population Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 0902
Fax: +61 3 9349 5815
Email: m.jenkins@unimelb.edu.au

Core Subjects

The following subjects are core requirements for this Specialisation.

Students intending to specialise in Epidemiology and Biostatistics should take 505-969 and 505-970 in place of 505-101 and 505-102 to ensure they have the computer skills to articulate with advanced elective subjects in this stream together with a minimum of 2 other Consortium subjects.

Students must also enrol in 505-925 (Research Project)

Recommended Electives

It is strongly recommended that students enrol in 505-973 Study Design in Epidemiologyand choose three subjects from the remaining seven subjects.

HEALTH ECONOMICS:

Students specialising in Health Economics will learn to appreciate and apply the key concepts behind health economics as a way of thinking. They will be able to analyse and discuss key policy issues in public health from an "economic" perspective. They will, for example, critically appraise the structure and financing of the Australian health care system, understand and assess health expenditure trends and their associated policy implications. They will consider the arguments for and against competition in health care (and "economic rationalism"), and apply economic reasoning to policy problems (such as the strengths and weaknesses of reform options for Medicare). Students often choose to combine Health Economics with the study of Economic Evaluation (see below) and Health Policy subjects. Research Projects in Health Economics have considered topics such as:

• Managed Care in Indonesia: Assessment of health insurance approaches
• The appropriate use of financial levers to promote preventative care by GPs

Contact Details

Core Subjects

505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-908 505-907 (Pre-req for Research project)
505-906 (Research project)

And choose a minimum of two other appropriate Consortium subjects. Please see the section "Recommended Consortium Requirements" below for the most suitable options.

Recommended Consortium Subjects

Recommended Electives

HEALTH PROGRAM EVALUATION

Students specialising in Health Program Evaluation acquire knowledge and skills in both the theory and applied practice of the evaluation of health programs and interventions. There is a strong emphasis on broadening the roles of program evaluation to include program planning, design, implementation, or monitoring as the evaluative focus, as well as the more traditional impact evaluation. The importance of negotiation and planning of program evaluations with commissioners and stakeholders to enhance knowledge utilisation is stressed, and students develop skills in defining appropriate evaluation questions; applying a variety of data collection and analysis strategies; the effective reporting of evaluations; and developing different evaluation plans for pro-active, clarificative, interactive, monitoring and impact evaluation purposes. The role of program evaluation in the conduct of public health programs and its role in the support of health care management through capacity building is examined.

Students may choose to combine their study of Health Program Evaluation with the study of Economic Evaluation, as both represent important approaches to health services research and evaluation. There is a wide choice of subjects focusing upon Health Program Evaluation and the closely associated Health Services Research.

Recent research projects by students completing the health program evaluation stream have included:

• Evaluations of the "Challenging Ageing" Program in Victoria, a clinical pathway to improve peri-operative care in patients with diabetes, an investigation of factors influencing the success of Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs in Australia
• An evaluation plan for a program designed to provide orthopaedic interventions for children in Nepal
• A needs assessment plan for an adolescent dental care program in Indonesia
• An investigation into the extent to which evaluation is incorporated into quality improvement programs in selected hospitals in Victoria , and qualitative assessment of outcomes from participants' perceptions of chronic disease self -management programs

Local and international graduates with a health program evaluation specialisation find work in organisations in a variety of roles, including the commissioning and management of evaluations; undertaking program evaluations within the organisation; program and intervention development, delivery and evaluation; policy analysis; and quality accreditation. All are involved in program evaluation utilization, a form of knowledge transfer. Many work where their specialisation is their key role, while most have program evaluation as an important role in their work.

Core Subjects

505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-100 (Recommended Consortium subject)
505-905 (Research project)

And choose a minimum of one other appropriate Consortium subjects.

Recommended Group 1 Electives

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH:
The international health specialisation places particular emphasis on health in resource poor settings. Students will gain skills in needs assessment, in program planning, implementation and evaluation and application of these in international settings. Based on a research project in international health, students will gain an understanding of the global issues which impact on the health of income poor populations. There may be opportunities to do this research in an international setting. The specialisation is suitable for people who are currently working in international health, students from income poor countries and those interested in gaining qualifications that will enable them to develop and implement best practice responses to global health issues. It will assist people planning for employment with international aid/development agencies and NGOs.

Contact Details
Dr Alison Morgan
Nossal Institute for Global Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 9138
Email: apmorgan@unimelb.edu.au

Core Subjects

505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-100 (Recommended Consortium subject)
505-903 (Research project)

And choose a minimum of one other appropriate Consortium subject.

Group 1 Electives

A minimum of four subjects from the following list (other subjects may be undertaken however you are recommended to discuss your subject choices with the specialization coordinator).

PLEASE NOTE:

• Students cannot enroll in both 505-963 and 505-957
• It is strongly recommended that students enrol in 505-957 and either 509-001 or 505-958 prior to commencing 505-903 Research Project in International Health

SEXUAL HEALTH

The Sexual Health stream in the MPH focuses on the important recognition and understanding of how sexual health impacts on the public health of communities. In developed countries recent changes in the epidemiology of many STIs and changing sexual behaviour patterns have focused attention deservedly on improving access to services and the protection and empowerment of those most vulnerable in society. In addition many other social, cultural and economic influences are acknowledged as important considerations in the study and practice of sexual health. This sexual health specialisation enables students to familiarise themselves with the important public health implications of sexual health and to develop an advanced knowledge of the literature in a related area of interest. Students may have a clinical or non-clinical interest and professional background. Whilst sexual health priorities may differ between resource poor and resource rich settings, many of the public health implications overlap and both local and international students will be able to find a relevant area of interest within sexual health to study. Students with a specialised sexual health qualification in public health will find this relevant to work in a wide variety of areas including clinical sexual health services, policy and government related areas and international health.

Contact Details

Core Subjects

505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-980 (Research project)

And choose a minimum of two other appropriate Consortium subjects.

Additional Core Requirements

The following subjects are additional core requirements for this specialisation.

Students must choose either 505-973 or 505-921 and at least one from 505-531 / 505-532 / 505-533.

505-534 is an optional core subject for nurses instead of 505-533.

Recommended Electives

SOCIAL HEALTH
The Social Health specialisation in the MPH uses the social sciences as its base; it uses a multidisciplinary approach that integrates a variety of humanities and social sciences perspectives on health and health care. It incorporates subjects from health ethics, sociology of health and illness, medical anthropology and the history of health care. The Social Health specialisation draws on national and international developments in health care knowledge and practice that urge us to address health in new ways. The Social Health specialisation provides higher order skills in social health with an emphasis on critical analysis, and written and verbal communication. The social and political dimensions of illness and suffering and the cultural differences in the understanding of health care delivery present important challenges, not only to practitioners, but also to administrators and planners. For example, a social health approach provides the opportunity to address such areas as: social determinants of health, complex ethical health issues arising out of the use of stem cell research, and the development of culturally sensitive population health programs.

Contact Details

Core Subjects

The following are the core requirements for this specialisation. Students must enrol in:

505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-919 (Research project)

505-921 Principles of Qualitative Research Design (pre-req for the Research Project)

505-922 Research Methods in Social Health (pre-req for the Research Project)

And choose a minimum of two other appropriate Consortium subjects.

Recommended Group 1 Electives

WOMENS HEALTH:

Contact Details

Core Subjects

505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-947 (Research project)

And choose a minimum of two other appropriate Consortium subjects.

Recommended Group 1 Electives

Students must enrol in a minimum of 6 subjects (75 points) from the list below.

Students undertaking the Research Project in Women's Health are advised to take 505-948 as a pre- or co-requisite

200 Point Program
• a non-health related degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of two years' work experience in a health related field OR
• a health related degree (or equivalent) with no health related experience.

175 Point Program (25 Credit Points Advanced Standing)
• A health-related degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of two years' health-related work experience

150 Point Program (50 Credit Points Advanced Standing)
• Applicants with both, a health-degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of two years' public health relevant work experience.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Academically excellent:

• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies

Knowledgeable across disciplines:

• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
• have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment

Leaders in communities:

• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
• have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity:

• value different cultures
• be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
• have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
• respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens:

• accept social and civic responsibilities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

• Identify the political and institutional context of population health
• Be familiar with the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services
• Understand the drivers of health system change including regulatory systems, public health and other health networks, and other institutional and political influences
• Identify the role of cultural, social, and behavioural factors in determining the delivery of public health services
• Critically reflects on own social, cultural and professional standpoint and implications for own public health practice in relation to other social groups
• Develop skills in data presentation and written and oral communication.
• Understand the methods of qualitative inquiry
• Have the capacity to prioritise and develop policy
• Apply the principles and processes of program planning and management
• Apply the principles of health promotion using theory and evidence to develop implement and evaluate health promotion strategies
• Understand the principles of advocacy, lobbying, and capacity building to develop intersectoral public health action
• Be able to develop and adapt approaches to problems that take into account the cultural, physical and socio-economic aspects of gender, social, religious, geographical and ethnic (particularly Aboriginal) health issues
• Have the capacity to develop critical and supportive professional relationships to enable reflexivity in own and others public health practice with diverse social groups.