Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time
Locations
Online
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
From tackling the spread of infectious disease, to shaping preventive health programs, public health professionals play an important role in our healthcare system. Take your first steps towards a leading role in this field with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Public Health. You’ll build vital skills in public health practice, epidemiology, and biostatistics, preparing you for the dynamic scenarios that you will face when working in the field.
Are you ready to lead public health strategy and policy development?
The Graduate Certificate of Public Health will equip you with the knowledge to respond to and prevent health issues at a big-picture level. You’ll be exposed to the latest research and industry evidence, empowering you to lead policy change and public health interventions. As a graduate, you will demonstrate advanced problem solving, analytical, and collaboration skills, enabling you to become a high-performing member of a public health team.
The Graduate Certificate of Public Health is ideal for clinical and non-clinical professionals, as well as graduates from other fields who are passionate about improving societal health. You will learn about the strategies and practical techniques employed by public health professionals, with a particular focus on preventative measures and health equity. This course enables you to:
- explore how different theories and disciplinary perspectives have informed public health principles and practices.
- understand the role of epidemiology in public health, by exploring study designs, tools, methods, as well as the latest research findings in the field.
- apply biostatistical techniques to health-related data, by exploring the philosophical basis of statistical thought, examining fundamental statistical concepts and methods, as well as exploring their application in a variety of health settings.
Your learning will be shaped by Deakin’s leading public health research, which is rated as well above world standard^. You’ll have direct access to research produced by the Institute for Health Transformation, which is led by internationally recognised researchers. Close links with cutting-edge research will allow you to gain critical insights for your current role and throughout your career.
You have the option to study on-campus, or through our innovative online learning platform. The flexible online option allows you to study when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support. You will receive personalised support from teaching staff who will guide you through class discussions and seminars, preparing you for a career in public health.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will also have the option to further your skills by continuing on to the Graduate Diploma of Public Health, or the Master of Public Health.
^ Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 2018
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Public Health
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H547
- 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 Public Health students must attain 4 credit points. Three are core units (these are compulsory) and one unit may be selected from a list of electives.
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.
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:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
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 course requires a part-time commitment, with a substantive load of 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.
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 or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
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:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
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
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. 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. 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 tuition fees.
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.
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.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Students will be eligible to apply for credit for this course.
Students completing the Graduate Certificate of Public Health can articulate into a higher award, the Master of Public Health (H757)
Graduates of the course may also be eligible for RPL (Recognition of prior learning) into the following courses:
Master of Health Promotion (H759)
Master of Health Economics (H704)
Master of Health Management (H756)
Careers
Career outcomes
The healthcare and social assistance sector is Australia’s largest and fastest growing sector, with 301,000 new jobs projected to be created by November 2026*. The Graduate Certificate of Public Health will prepare you to meet this demand and you will be in a strong position to pursue roles in:
- global organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- advocacy roles within organisations focused on cancer, tobacco, drugs, reproductive health, environmental health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV.
- population health and screening
- federal, state, and local government health departments.
The course can also be used as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Public Health, or the Master of Public Health. Continue your studies to develop more advanced skills, build industry experience and grow your professional network.
*2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026. Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia
Professional recognition
All students will receive a two-year membership to the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) while studying.
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 | Apply knowledge of public health theory, policy, surveillance, disease control and prevention, research principles, and recent public health developments in Australia and globally to practice and scholarship. |
| Communication | Communicate public health evidence, issues and solutions in an effective and coherent manner to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Demonstrate digital literacies in public health practice and scholarship to locate, interpret and transmit knowledge, data and ideas. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate public health evidence, theory and solutions. |
| Problem solving | Use appropriate analytical and research methods to identify and interpret public health problems and propose appropriate solutions to prevent disease and injury and protect and improve health. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability applicable to public health professional practice. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate and communicate effectively with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Global citizenship | Apply ethically appropriate research and practice skills to the appraisal of public health related issues and generate appropriate and culturally sensitive responses. |