Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (Sexual Health)

This course is aimed at health practitioners, particularly general practitioners or nurses training in sexual health, (or related fields) who may be in urban, regional or rural Australia. It is also suitable for public health practitioners and students who may have an interest in sexual health. The core subjects taught are available in face-to-face or distance mode and draw on national and international developments in the diagnosis and public health control of sexually transmissible infections.
Graduates from this course will find it easier to enter careers related to sexual health in the fields of clinical care, research, the pharmaceutical industry, or hospitals.

On completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (Sexual Health) graduates will:

• have developed an understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of sexually transmissible infections
• have gained an understanding of the sexual and reproductive health issues relevant to Australia
• have developed an understanding of the public health control of sexually transmissible infections
• have gained the ability to evaluate and synthesise the relevant literature
• be able to apply the conceptual and practical dimensions of the course in their own professional practice

Four subjects taken over one or two years part-time (one or two subjects per semester)

Core Subjects

Students must complete at least 2 of the following 3 core subjects:

Please note that POPH90068 Sexually Transmissible Infections now incorporates the learning objectives of Control of Sexual Transmissible Infections (previous subject). Existing students who have already completed either Control of STIs or Sexually Transmissible Infections should enroll in Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Health as their core requirement. Students with a clinical background may enroll in both POPH90070 and POPH90069.

Elective Subjects

Additional elective subjects can be drawn from any public health/sexual health related subject within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences butwill need to be approved by the Course Coordinator before the student enrolls in it and in agreement with the appropriate other course authority..

• a health related degree, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline or equivalent.

The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and will call for reports from at least two professional referees to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

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

Please refer to the Course Objectives.

Core subjects are taught by either distance education or classroom.

Full fee paying overseas students can only apply to study this course by distance.

Mid-Year Entry is available.