Everything You Need to Know About a Master of Public Health Course

Are you considering a master of Public Health but aren’t sure what to expect? You aren’t alone! We are often asked about public health master’s degrees, their content, and career outcomes, and we are here with the answers you need.

Our brief guide walks you through everything you need to know about a master of public health to help you determine if it’s the right course for you.

What Is a Master of Public Health Course?

A master of public health is a postgraduate course designed to help you influence change in the current and future public health challenges.

The course equips you with the skills to improve public health outcomes at the local, national, and global levels. To achieve this, you will learn about the contemporary issues in public health, allowing you to make strategic health initiatives that will promote healthier communities.

Many Master of Public Health courses are offered full-time and part-time, with the option to complete your studies online. Online studying provides plenty of flexibility, allowing you to complete your studies around your busy schedule and other commitments. On average, the course will take two years to complete, spanning twelve units.

What Will I Learn in a Master of Public Health?

What you will learn in a master of Public Health varies depending on the course provider you choose and if you opt for a specialisation route. Typically, content will overlap across courses, ensuring you have the knowledge and skills to thrive in a public health career.

Before applying for your course, we recommend that you speak to the course provider to learn more about the units on offer and what you will learn in the course.

Typically, you will see some of the following unit titles on a master of Public Health:

• Culture and society in public health
• Foundations of public health
• Epidemiology and biostatistics 1
• Epidemiology and biostatistics 2
• Promoting health in policy
• Public health in practice
• Public health program management
• Systems thinking in public health

Many course providers offer specialisations, where you can tailor the master’s to suit your specific interests or career goals. Specialising in your master’s will provide you with four additional units that will be covered. The specialising options do vary depending on your course provider, but you can expect some of the following:

Health promotion:

• Global contexts of health promotion practice with diverse populations
• Innovative and evidence-based health promotion
• Research project
• Social media and social marketing approaches to health promotion

Global leadership

• Global health economics and finance
• Global health leadership
• Global health systems and decision making
• Research project

What Skills Will I Develop in a Master of Public Health?

As your knowledge of public health grows throughout the course, you will also develop essential soft skills, giving you a better understanding of public health issues and improving your chances of securing a role after completing the course. The following skills will be developed throughout the course:

Communication

As you complete written assessments, your communication skills will develop. Regardless of your current communication skills, you can expect to see an improvement in how you communicate, a vital skill for success in the public health sector. You will learn how to communicate concisely, both in writing and verbally.

In a public health role, you can expect to be speaking to others across different departments over the phone, via email, or through any reports and pamphlets you create, so it is important that you develop your communication skills now.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a vital skill that anyone working in the public health sector needs. You will develop this skill as you complete your course and assignments, learning to critically evaluate information to determine its value and how it can be used.

Course materials, including case studies, are an excellent way to develop your critical thinking skills, where you will analyse and assess information to develop the best solution to public health issues.

Problem-solving

As each unit brings new topics and challenges, your problem-solving skills will be put to the test and enhanced.

As you work independently, you will find new ways to face challenges through the course to ensure you can complete your research and assignments to the best of your ability. Doing so will help to prepare you for any challenges you might face in the workplace!

Time Management

To excel in an online master’s, you need excellent time management skills. You need a realistic schedule that allows time to complete any classes and assignments, along with additional reading.

It can be challenging to do this alongside work and other commitments you have, so it’s important you are realistic from the beginning about the time you are able to dedicate to it.

Throughout the course, your time management skills will improve and prepare you for your new role, where you will likely be juggling several tasks and responsibilities.

What Can I Do with a Master of Public Health?

• Communicable disease analyst
• Communications manager
• Community health promoter
• Disease preparedness researcher
• Disaster preparedness coordinator
• Health educator
• Health promoter
• Health promotion research coordinator
• Health informatics specialist
• Health administrator
• Infection prevention
• Lecturer in health
• Medical/health advisor
• NGO manager
• Public health medical officer
• Program officer
• Project officer
• Public health researcher
• Public policy and strategy consultant
• Policy advisor – health
• Senior advisor – health

What Do I Need for a Master of Public Health?

The entry requirements for a master of Public Health can vary, so we recommend checking with the course provider directly to see what you need. Usually, you will need one of the following:

• A bachelor’s degree in any discipline
• A graduate diploma in a similar discipline

You might also need to meet additional entry requirements if English is not your first language. We recommend that you speak directly with the course provider to learn more about this.

Find Your Public Health Course Today

A master of public health is the perfect way to deepen your knowledge and move into a new role. When choosing your course, we recommend that you consider the units and learning outcomes carefully to ensure it is right for you.

VU offers an impressive range of public health courses, including a master’s, where you will be challenged and prepared for a career in public health. Check out their public health course today!