Master of Global Public Health

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically apply knowledge of public health theory and practice to address current and emerging complex public health challenges in global and local contexts and across diverse populations;
2. Select, interpret and apply epidemiological and biostatistical concepts to the study of disease exposure, risk and outcomes in populations for evidence-based decision making in public health practice;
3. Investigate and propose systems thinking approaches to respond to global and local health challenges across the domains of public health practice thereby promoting strategies for health equity and addressing the social determinants of health;
4. Propose, design, implement, evaluate and lead innovative, evidence and place-based public health action for sustainable development, planetary health and ‘Health For All’;
5. Practice cultural safety and humility when working with diverse populations, listening to and respecting Indigenous voices and standpoints, to advocate for health equity and social justice across all domains of public health practice;
6. Interpret, justify and communicate knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences across a range of media in order to advance and defend efforts to promote and protect health and prevent disease; and
7. Demonstrate intellectual independence, collaborative practice and career readiness through research or a professional project with an industry partner that contributes to the evidence base in public health research or practice.

Victoria University is part of a global planetary health community, which recognises the intersect between the health of people and the planet – and the impact of human behaviour upon the natural world.

As students prepare to enter the world of work, their employers will increasingly require the knowledge, skills and mindsets to both respond to the health impacts of climate change and to drive the transformation to a more sustainable and carbon neutral health system.

With its focus on global health, our new, revitalised and contemporary curriculum is built around planetary health and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The course's focus ensures you will create more significant networks of influence and change to become a real world citizen – adaptable, resilient, and with deep concern for the planet, social justice and health for all.

You will gain authentic exposure to the real world of work by undertaking a professional project with an industry partner in a public health setting. This will help you to develop your career networks and build your work experience.

You will research, design and manage a public health project in the community, working collaboratively as part of a team.

The opportunity to gain work experience will help your job prospects both in Australia and internationally. 

If you are interested in a career in public health research, you can choose to undertake a research minor thesis as a pathway into PhD study.

Academics at Victoria University are involved in a wide range of public health research. Join one of our research teams to undertake your minor thesis research or choose your own topic in an area that interests you.

The minor thesis provides an opportunity to network with public health researchers to help you start your career in public health research.  

The Master of Global Public Health is highly practical, emphasising applying new knowledge gained to workplace settings, so that you graduate work-ready.

Our course is delivered through a combination of in-person workshops and self-paced online sessions to suit the varied learning styles of students, and ensure that students learn the soft skills necessary for public health.

You will become adept at interpersonal skills, including:

• effective communications (written and spoken)
• advocating
• teamwork and collaboration
• critical thinking
• ethical awareness.

We also emphasise tech-readiness so that you can apply your public health skills in today's digital environment.

In the Master of Global Public Health, you will get the benefit of in-person intensive workshops, and the flexibility of online self-paced learning.

Our teaching team has expertise across the range of public health settings and issues. In-person workshops provide the opportunity for you to learn directly from this expertise. Our links with industry mean we can provide authentic learning experiences that draw directly on the expertise of public health practitioners in the workplace.

The course is delivered in our highly successful VU Block Model®, a learning model where students undertake one, or at most two, units at a time, then move onto the next (rather than studying several at once).

These learning methods will help you to achieve the best possible outcomes in your study.