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Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence

Postgraduate coursework

Gain an understanding of epidemiology theory to inform public health decision-making, policy and practice, and graduate ready to make a difference.

Key facts

Duration

Up to 1 year of part-time study.
The course is only available to students on a part-time basis

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Our Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence equips you with a strong understanding of epidemiology to inform public health decision-making, policy and practice. You will be immersed in the study of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of public health events, and will learn about outbreak detection and response including contact tracing, as well as public health preparedness.

Are you ready to make a difference to the health of populations around the world?

The COVID-19 global health crisis has seen the demand for experienced health specialists grow significantly. The Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence explores public health from a holistic point of view, giving you the well-rounded skills, knowledge and practical experience to meet this demand and to apply real-world solutions at a local and international scale.

Suitable for clinical and non-clinical health professionals, as well as graduates from other disciplines, the course equips you with crucial problem-solving and data analysis skills to provide epidemiology intelligence to health departments and decision makers. You’ll explore two key study areas that work together to give you the best possible grounding in the field.

Epidemiology

At the heart of epidemiology is quantitative research. The epidemiology units will train you to find, evaluate and interpret the right data, allowing you to shape policy and practice with evidence-based insights.

Biostatistics

Explore fundamental statistical concepts in a health context and build experience applying biostatistical techniques to health-related data. This expertise is essential when modelling data, testing hypotheses and analysing case-control studies.

You’ll be taught by highly experienced, internationally renowned experts, giving you unrivalled access to some of the world’s most innovative research, including the world-class COVID-19 research produced by Deakin’s Institute for Health Transformation. By drawing on the latest research, we can ensure the course is relevant, informed and reflective of the true nature of the industry.

As a qualified health professional working in the largest and fastest-growing industry in Australia, career opportunities will be diverse. From public health research roles to opportunities within international organisations such as the WHO and UNICEF – your job prospects will be varied and vast. Upon graduation, you will also have the option of continuing your studies. You can develop advanced skills and build even more industry experience by articulating into one of the following masters courses:

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
H546
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence students must attain 4 credit points. This comprises of four core units (these are compulsory).

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.

Recognition of prior learning can be granted depending on previous studies and professional experience.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Should you wish to progress to a Master of Public Health, Master of Health Promotion, Master of Health Economics or Master of Health and Human Services Management as a graduate of this course, you will be eligible for Recognition of prior learning.

Trimester 1 intake

Trimester 1

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
  • Epidemiology 1
  • Biostatistics 1
  • Trimester 2

  • Epidemiology 2
  • Biostatistics 2
  • Trimester 3 intake

    Trimester 3

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
  • Biostatistics 1
  • Trimester 1

  • Epidemiology 1
  • Trimester 2

  • Epidemiology 2
  • Biostatistics 2
  • Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Burwood- Melbourne Campus

    Trimester 3 - November

    • Start date: November
    • Available at:
      • Burwood Melbourne Campus

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

    Workload

    As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, workshops and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

    The trimesters of the course require a part-time commitment, with a substantive load of required learning activities and study time. Although the course is designed for working health professionals, students will on average spend 150 hours per unit credit point over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities.

    Participation requirements

    See individual unit descriptions for full details.

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.

    Public health postgraduate course guide

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    Entry requirements

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    Academic requirements

    To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher
    • at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.

    Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

    You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

    Learn more about fees and available payment options.

    FEE-HELP calculator

    What is FEE-HELP?

    FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.

    Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

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    *Disclaimer

    Deakin University (Deakin):

    • gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
    • advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
    • instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

    This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.

    Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

    The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:

    • does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
    • does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
    • assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
    • assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
    • assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
    • where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply directly to Deakin

    To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.

    Pathways

    Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence will be eligible to receive 4 units of credit and articulate to:
    Master of Public Health (H757)
    Master of Health Economics (H704)
    Master of Health Promotion (H759)
    or receive 2 units of credit and articulate to Master of Health Management (H756)

    Contact information

    Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    The worldwide demand for qualified health professionals is at an all-time high. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence enables you to join organisations focused on solving a broad range of health issues, including cancer, reproductive health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV.

    Some areas you will be prepared to work in include:

    • health departments in all levels of government
    • public health research roles in government, industry, universities and hospitals
    • medical research in research institutes, universities, private business and hospitals
    • international organisations such as the WHO, UNDP and UNICEF.

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

    Collect, critically analyse and communicate epidemiological research and data to inform public health decision making.

    Communication

    Analyse, synthesize, interpret and communicate epidemiological concepts and scientific evidence to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

    Digital Literacy

    Use appropriate technologies to locate and analyse epidemiological data, and interpret and disseminate findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

    Critical thinking

    Demonstrate critical thinking to independently analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex epidemiological research data and evidence, to make high level and independent judgements to inform health service programs, policy and practice.

    Problem Solving

    Utilise epidemiological methods to interpret data, identify the determinants of disease and disease risk, and plan and evaluate public health interventions.

    Self-management

    Operate independently to understand epidemiological concepts, maintain self-awareness, and critically analyse bias and confounds to support expert judgement.

    Teamwork

    Identify and reflect on effective teamwork skills and principles required to collaborate with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.

    Global Citizenship

    N/A