To apply for the online Master of Public Health, you are required to have:

• Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline OR
• Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in a similar discipline OR
• Applicants without an undergraduate qualification may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate with five years of approved work experience. Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate, graduates will be eligible for admission to this course with credit granted for completed units.

Students may choose to exit after completing 8 units in the course, in which case they may graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Public Health.

Roles in public health are diverse and in high demand. They cover areas of health promotion, disease prevention and policy. Depending on your career goals and skill set, studying the Master of Public Health course with VU Online will open up numerous roles that may interest you.

Global Health Leadership

• Disease Preparedness Researcher
• Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
• Infection Preventionist
• Health Informatics Specialist
• Communications Manager
• Health Administrator
• Senior Advisor - Health
• Policy Advisor - Health

Health Promotion

• NGO Manager
• Health Promoter
• Public Health Researcher
• Community Health Promoter
• Public Policy and Strategy Consultant
• Health Educator
• Health Promotion Research Coordinator

Other roles in this field include

• Public Health Medical Officer
• Lecturer in Health
• Medical/Health Advisor
• Program Officer
• Communicable Disease Analyst
• Project Officer

VU Online provides you with the support you need, when you need it, during your course. Our support network has a single focus on ensuring you are entirely supported to succeed in your studies.

Our highly experienced academics are responsive and accessible and understand how to deliver a quality online learning experience. You will also be introduced to your very own Student Success Advisor, who provides motivation and one-on-one personalised assistance with non-academic matters throughout your course.

You’ll experience the support of your community through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity. Remember, your support network is only a phone call and email away.

A Master of Public Health from VU Online costs $3,200 per unit*, taking the total for 12 units to $37,900*.

This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.

Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.

*2025 student fees are shown and are subject to change.

For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.

Studying with VU Online means that you can undertake postgraduate study without having to attend on-campus classes. This makes it easy to fit study around existing commitments including work and family. You will be able to access your coursework, resources, assignment details and individual feedback from facilitators, all from your online learning environment, VU Collaborate.

Chat with fellow students, compare research notes and collaborate on group tasks – it’s all possible with our seamless, community-focused platform.

With VU Online, you will study just one unit at a time under the award-winning VU Block Model®. Learn about our postgraduate online Block Model with this YouTube video.

With VU Online, you will receive support from our responsive academics and facilitators, as well as your dedicated Student Success Advisor throughout your study.

VU Online has simplified the application process, involving just three key steps.

1. Speak to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors, who will help you determine your eligibility for the program and whether it suits your career goals. Our advisor will keep you informed of all the application requirements and what to expect during the process. They can also suggest flexible study plans for your circumstances.
2. Begin your online application and submit the required documentation. This may include a copy of your CV and academic transcript.
3. Upon completing your application, you will receive a confirmation email or an email letting you know if you need to provide any additional information.

This unit is designed to introduce students to the main theories, principles and values of public health illustrated by selected major topics in nutrition and in active living from a global perspective. It investigates policy, systematic and multi-discipline public health approaches as a global and local effort to address contemporary health challenges. The origins and evolution of public health and major global achievements in public health and their impact on the health of populations are explored. The role and interface of political, cultural, social, behavioural and environmental determinants of health of populations informs critique and discussion throughout the unit.

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The disciplines of Epidemiology and Biostatistics provide the foundation for designing studies to better understand the distribution of exposures and outcomes among specific population groups. In this unit, students are introduced to the basic principles, concepts of descriptive epidemiology and related biostatistics and how to use software to perform analytical research. Students will learn and practice how observational data is collected and analysed using statistical methods and communicated to a variety of audiences. These skills will enable students to evaluate existing epidemiological studies, and undertake basic epidemiological analysis using biostatistical approaches.

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This unit explores how public health theories, principles and values have informed the practice of public health with a focus on program planning for health promotion. The origins and purpose of health promotion and the theories which inform health promotion practice are examined along with the potential of health promotion to positively influence the determinants of health and reduce health inequalities. Students will gain skills in a range of practical approaches and methods for promoting health. Students will use a project management cycle to assess needs, set priorities for action and plan and manage interventions that promote health in populations. Theoretical aspects of the unit will be reinforced through their application to local, national and global issues.

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This unit examines the contribution of the social sciences to understanding and improving public health. The influence of culture and society on beliefs, attitudes and behaviours around health and how these shape disease risk and health outcomes is critically appraised. Students will explore the complex relationships between gender, culture and health inequalities. The efficacy of policies and strategies to address such inequalities will be evaluated. Concepts such as cultural competence, cultural safety and cultural humility as they relate to public health practice will be examined. Students will evaluate effective communication strategies, for public health practice when working with diverse communities.

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This unit builds on Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 to extend on students’ understanding, application and interpretation of fundamental epidemiologic and biostatistical concepts. Students will develop the capability to identify, differentiate, select and apply biostatistical concepts as appropriate and interpret the output of biostatistical tests. This capability will enable students to critically analyse epidemiological studies and identify the strengths and limitations of epidemiological approaches. This unit explores study designs, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies and innovations such as natural experiments to analyse and describe causality using observational data. Students will describe the determinants of significant population health problems. Students will also learn to identify and differentiate sources of bias and approaches to reducing bias or undertaking sensitivity analyses to better understand the impact of bias. The unit provides students opportunities to use statistical software programs to conduct biostatistical analysis of data.

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This unit explores policy tools and regulatory mechanisms that can be used to make decisions to address the social determinants of heath and by doing so promote efficient and equitable gains in population health. Students will compare and contrast health policy with ‘healthy’ policy to highlight the critical leadership role of the health sector in promoting health in all policies. The unit explores how global and national frameworks and commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inform public policy formulation and decision making. Students will examine the policy making process in detail including how to frame a policy issue based on evidence, how to facilitate whole of society approaches, how to formulate policy through negotiation and advocacy, how policy is implemented and enforced through regulation and legislation and how policies are evaluated and reviewed. Students will also interrogate the politics of policy development and how politics and power influence policy decision making and funding.

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Systems thinking is a way of understanding and managing complex problems. This unit examines how systems thinking approaches, methodologies and tools can be used to understand and find solutions to complex health problems to improve population health and health equity. The challenges and opportunities of using systems thinking in real-world settings are examined considering the different levels and ways systematic approaches can be used in the practice of public health. The concept of systems thinking in health system strengthening is also explored. Students will use systems thinking methods and tools including participatory modelling, causal loop and stock and flow diagrams to analyse problems, integrate multiple perspectives and to propose strategies and policies to address complex health problems.

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Health planning and evaluation are part of the ongoing cycle of development, improvement and adaptation in public health program management. A  public health project  represents a single, focused action in public health. A  program is  a collection of projects that complement each other to assist the program in achieving its overall objectives. This unit examines the principles, frameworks and methods in planning, implementing and evaluating public health programs and projects. It also explores how public health program management is used to improve population health by addressing the social determinants of health. Students will apply concepts and approaches of systems thinking, human rights, and capacity building and participation in the program management cycle. Using case studies students will use program management methods and tools to effectively design, manage and evaluate public health programs. This unit is underpinned by the use of evidence-based program management and the importance of aligning program management with global and national policies and commitments.

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This unit expands student’s capacity to build substantive practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to become the next generation of health promotion professionals prepared to ensure currency and sustainability in health promotion actions. With attention on modern socio-ecological approaches to disease and injury prevention and health promotion interventions locally, nationally and globally, students will utilise creative methods to navigate health promotion priorities and approaches to promotion to formulate innovative and evidence-based health promotion programs and projects. Recognising that health promotion enables people to increase control over their own health, students will appraise and apply approaches to community engagement and cultural considerations with a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

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This unit equips students with the knowledge and skills to navigate challenges associated with contemporary social media and social marketing concepts and theories, and provides the tools to implement health promotion programs which have integrity, focus and ability to reach diverse populations. Through critical analysis of current local, national and global social marketing platforms used for health promotion, students will address the legal requirements, health literacy considerations and traverse the balance of technology, content design and delivery in order to construct innovative and effective health promotions. The strategies of social marketing, analysis, planning, execution and evaluation in health promotion will be critically reviewed. Through examination of behavioural theories to guide social media health promotion programs, students will be supported to utilise the project management cycle to create online health promotion strategies.

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This unit challenges students to propose health promotion strategies designed to further drive change and impact across the social and ecological determinants of health. Students will build health promotion development skills through interrogation of health promotion approaches with vulnerable and diverse populations across the globe. This includes debate focused on the politics and policies which both support and hinder global health promotion strategies. Through a comprehensive critique of leaders in global health promotion and analysis of the strategies implemented to address contemporary global health challenges, this unit entails critical analysis of the health promotion strategies to realise the Sustainable Development Goals. Through cross examination of authentic health promotion actions in global disasters and pandemics, students will gain skills and knowledge to enable innovative, coherent and realistic approaches to advocate for change in global health.

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In this capstone unit students consolidate their training by investigating a significant issue in their specialisation through undertaking a research project. Students will strengthen their evidence-based research capabilities by participating in a number of key phases and activities of an evidence-based research project to inform practice. Students will critically review the literature, including academic, policy and/or practice evidence, collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating findings in the form of a report or journal article for publication.

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This unit provides students with the skills to lead global health projects and programs. Students will examine the contextual challenges facing leaders in global health by utilising a leadership process of scanning the environment, establishing a direction and influencing people to overcome challenges and achieve goals. Students will exhibit leadership skills needed to engage with local, national, and global stakeholders and organisations to design and implement effective global health programs. The unit critically examines the basic functions and principles of leadership, governance and management to co-create a vision, empower others, foster collaboration and share decision making. Students will demonstrate and apply negotiation and mediation skills to address global public health challenges and apply strategic principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice to advance health equity and social justice globally.

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This unit explores the concepts of health economics and finance in global health contexts and systems. Students will first define and distinguish between economics and finance and explore key concepts and tools in each. This will enable students to understand the role of economics and economic evaluation in decision-making within the context of global health. Students will also examine funding mechanisms in local, national, and global settings as well as the importance of financial and budget planning and management in applying for and utilising funding. This unit will also develop students’ skills to critically evaluate funding metrics as well as economic cost analysis and national and global health perspectives and priorities in public health funding. Students will examine and analyse economic implications and financial operations of global health initiatives.

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In a world where various sources and types of information and data are readily accessible, and burdens on global health systems and organisations are complex, informed decision making is critical. This unit builds on students’ skills in using systems thinking frameworks and tools of evidence-based decision making needed for a dynamic global health landscape. Students will develop a deep personal understanding of leadership as a complex process. This includes scanning the environment, setting the direction and achieving organisational goals through influencing people both inside and outside the organisation. Students will also learn how to communicate evidence to influence decision-makers and impact policy and prioritise public health programs and resources globally.

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In this capstone unit students consolidate their training by investigating a significant issue in their specialisation through undertaking a research project. Students will strengthen their evidence-based research capabilities by participating in a number of key phases and activities of an evidence-based research project to inform practice. Students will critically review the literature, including academic, policy and/or practice evidence, collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating findings in the form of a report or journal article for publication.

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