Key facts
Duration
The time and cost can be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years duration. See entry requirements below for more information.
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Master of Health Promotion gives you the skills and platform to create healthy social and ecological environments for whole populations. You will develop skills and knowledge in health program planning, evidence-based strategies, policy, advocacy and research to prevent, minimise and respond early to health issues and their underlying causes.
Want an internationally recognised qualification that opens the door to a career that builds strong and just communities?
Health promotion contributes to social change for improved health outcomes, especially for marginalised and disadvantaged communities. Preventative action saves health dollars as well as promoting wellbeing. With a Master of Health Promotion, you can be a key player in creating social and environmentally just and equitable communities. You’ll graduate with a valuable set of analytical, creative, advocacy, planning and communication skills that prepare you to lead the way in health promotion, locally and globally. Plus, the course’s practical learning opportunities ensure you’re ready for both the current and emerging health challenges of the 21st century.
The course explores evidence-based health promotion strategies that improve the health of individuals, families, communities and countries. These are strategies that empower people to take control of their own health and advocate for just and equitable policies, strengthen community action and create environments that are more supportive of good health. Get hands-on practice developing these initiatives from start to finish, while gaining a deep understanding of the social, environmental, political and economic conditions that impact health. Whether you see yourself working on the prevention of violence against women, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, or promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing for youth, you will have the skills and experience to not only manage, but thrive.
Some of the course’s core study areas include:
- health communication
- evidence-based health program planning
- health program evaluation
- health equity and human rights
- contemporary health issues and policies
- health research.
You can customise your degree to your interests by choosing from a broad range of elective units. Choose from topics such as, nutrition, global health policy, environmental protection and obesity prevention to create a unique degree that takes your career further. The course also gives you the option of undertaking a major or minor project. These projects allow you to apply the knowledge and skills developed in the course to a contemporary health issue through either a critical a literature review, industry-linked project, policy proposal/review or an applied research project.
A strong focus of the course is professional development through practical experience. In particular, the course’s new work-integrated learning elective allows you to undertake 150 hours of valuable industry experience. This can be an agency-based work placement with one of our many industry partners, or agency-sponsored work based at the Deakin Freelancing Hub. These projects give you the chance to develop and apply your new skills in real-world contexts. They also allow you to work alongside leading health promotion practitioners and build professional networks that unlock new career pathways.
Our academics are renowned for their contributions to social and environmental justice, equity and the promotion of community wellbeing. Their project work and research feed into the course, ensuring content is authentic, relevant and responsive to the needs of an evolving sector. There are also opportunities for students to join academics and their colleagues on projects that address current health issues of global importance. We have academics embedded in many renowned healthcare organisations, institutes and health and environmental settings across many different roles, so you will have access to the perfect mentor no matter your interests and career aspirations.
Course information
Course structure
To complete the Master of Health Promotion, you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Health Promotion includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 8 credit points of core units
- 8 credit points of course elective units
Most units are equal to one credit point.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
- Health Promotion
- Health Communication
- Needs Assessment and Health Program Planning
- Research Literacy
- Health Program Evaluation
- Contemporary Health Issues and Policies
- Qualitative Health Research
- Health Equity and Human Rights
Projects and Specialisation
Students must complete a minor or major project option. Any student wishing to do both a Minor and a Major project, may do so with the permission of the Course Director, and will therefore only be required to complete 2 elective units from the Electives list.
Minor Project option
- Minor Project A (1 credit point)
- Minor Project B (1 credit point)
Plus 6 electives from the Electives list
Major Project option
- Major Project A (2 credit points)
- Major Project B (2 credit points)
Plus 4 electives from the Electives list
Mind, Society and Substance specialisation (SP-H759001) is available to student commencing in 2024 onwards.This specialisation is optional and the units are available as elective unit options or can be combined to complete this specialisation.
- Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)
- Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs
Plus 1 unit from:
- Social Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development
Electives
Other electives outside the list below may be approved on an individual basis. Course Director approval is required.
- Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)
- Social Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour
- Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development
- Principles and Practice of Public Health
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs
- Community Consultation and Participation
- Postgraduate Health Practicum
- International Perspectives in Health and Social Development
- Health Technology Assessment 1
- Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice
- Comparative Health Systems
- Disability and Inclusion: Contemporary Theory and Lived Experience
- Planning for Inclusion Across the Life Course
- Determinants of Health and Wellbeing in the Lives of People with Disability
- Community Capacity Building - Theory and Practice for Inclusion
- Inclusive Design and Technology
- Agricultural Health and Medicine
- Economics for Managers
- Emerging Issues in International Operations
- Principles of Nutrition
- Lifespan Nutrition
- Public Health Nutrition
- Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
- Nutrition Promotion
- Food, Nutrition and Behaviour
- Systems Thinking in Public Health Nutrition
- Obesity Prevention
- International Nutrition
- The Humanitarian World
- Program Design
- Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Led Recovery
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
Trimester 2 - July
Course structure applies to all students
Mind, Society and Substance specialisation available to students that commence in 2024 onwards.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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, practicals 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.
Work experience
Students will undertake work integrated assessment tasks in several core and elective units. All students also undertake a capstone minor or major project.
Other learning experiences
Internships are also available to students with WAM 70 and above.
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.
Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1.5 years full-time (2 years part-time).
Academic requirements
1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline
*Recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.
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
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.
You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
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.
Careers
Career outcomes
The health sector is Australia’s largest and fastest-growing. Contemporary health challenges such as obesity, mental health, climate change and an ageing population have increased the demand for skilled health promotion practitioners able to address the underlying social and ecological determinants of ill health and lead in the promotion of wellbeing.
With a Master of Health Promotion you can take advantage of this demand. Health promotion practitioners are employed locally and globally in all levels of government, health services, the education sector, private business and non-government, not-for-profit and community organisations. This also includes national and state-wide peak authorities such as VicHealth, the National Heart Foundation, Asthma Foundation, Gender Equity Victoria and The Cancer Council. Some of the areas you could be working in include:
- community development
- social planning and activities
- health education
- program development and evaluation
- advocacy
- policy development
- youth services
- aged and disability services
- women’s health
- migrant, refugee and asylum seeker services
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). Graduates can register with IUHPE as a registered Health Promotion Practitioner, securing you global and Australian recognition. Deakin is the first and only Victorian University to hold this accreditation.
Graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA). All Master of Health Promotion students also have option of obtaining free membership to AHPA for the duration of their studies.
Note: information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the time of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course and the relevant professional body retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
Course learning outcomes
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