Charles Darwin University
1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time
This Master's degree prepares health professionals and researchers to lead evidence-based population health research and public health practice. Ideal for graduates seeking advanced expertise in health research methods, epidemiology, and biostatistics to address complex health challenges globally.
Applicants must hold a recognized bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or master degree in a related area (public health, health sciences, primary health care, medicine, or social sciences), or a bachelor degree plus an honours qualification or graduate diploma/master degree in a non-related area. Note: Bachelor of Nursing is not an approved degree; applicants with nursing backgrounds are assessed case-by-case. English language proficiency is required with minimum IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for international students or equivalent qualification.
Core units (50 credit points) cover Research Design, Research Ethics and Impact, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Qualitative Research. Specialist electives (30 credit points) include Indigenous Health, Health Promotion, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Health Systems Planning and Evaluation, Public Health Economics, Chronic Conditions Control, Public Health, Global Health, Tropical Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health Anthropology, Clinical Trials, Indigenous Health Research, Communicable Disease Epidemiology, and Health Policy. Interdisciplinary units (maximum 10 credit points) cover Food and Society, Public Health Nutrition, Loss and Grief, Trauma-Informed Practice, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Planning, Emergency Management, and AI in Healthcare. Research component (40 credit points) involves planning and implementing a substantial research project under experienced supervision.
Charles Darwin University, in partnership with the Menzies School of Health Research, is uniquely positioned to deliver public health and health research education. CDU ranks #2 in Australia for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024) and offers distinctive expertise in Indigenous and tropical health. The university provides flexible study options (online, on-campus, part-time, full-time), supportive learning environments, and access to acclaimed Menzies professionals specializing in Indigenous health, global health, and public health practice.
Graduates can pursue careers in health research, professional public health practice, policy development, disease prevention, and health promotion across government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and international health organizations. Career opportunities include roles in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health planning, health policy analysis, research coordination, and community health project management. With approval, graduates may proceed to Higher Degree Research (PhD) training.