Public health is a broad area which can be generally characterised as being concerned with improving health and wellbeing by carrying out actions that will have an impact at a population or 'whole of community' level. Current Australian priorities for public health are to reduce health disparities between different population groups and to positively influence social, economic, physical and biological factors that play a role in determining overall health outcomes.
 
Public health practitioners are health professionals who have the skills required to help individuals and communities to have greater control over their health and wellbeing and to influence organisational and political environments in ways that lead to better health for all.
 
The Master of Public Health by coursework is recognised nationally and internationally as the appropriate qualification for health professionals seeking to work in the public health domain. ECU's Master of Public Health provides students with an opportunity to develop competencies that have been widely endorsed as being appropriate for MPH graduates working within Australia and overseas. 

A relevant undergraduate degree or relevant postgraduate qualification.

This course is comprised of 240 credit points (12-13 units). 

Core units in the MPH program have been selected to enable students to develop knowledge and skills in areas that are widely accepted as being key competencies for MPH graduates. Students must complete all eight core units to be eligible to graduate with the degree of MPH. These units have a combined value of 160 credit points.

MPH students must also complete elective units from a provided list of options to a combined total of at least 80 credit points. Most of the elective units offered have a credit point value of 20. Consequently, students who only choose elective units with a value of 20 credit points must complete four to achieve the 80 points required. Students should be aware, however, that some elective units that are offered have lower point values (i.e. 10-15 points). Students enrolling in any of these units will need to complete five elective units to achieve the required minimum of 80 credit points in elective units. The units that have credit point values of less than 20 are as follows:

• MKT5712 Social and Not For Profit Marketing (15 points and offered on campus only);
• NUT4444 Public Health Nutrition (15 points and offered on campus only);
• CMM4113 Health Journalism (15 points and offered on campus only); and
• HST5609 Workplace Assessment (10 points).

Core units and electives can be completed in any order, however, when planning enrolment in their first six units of this program, students are strongly encouraged to follow the structure of one of the six specialisms offered in the Graduate Diploma of Public Health. Following one of these specialisms will ensure MPH students have the option of concluding their postgraduate studies in public health after completing units to a total credit point value of 120 and then applying for the award of Graduate Diploma of Public Health. Students should be aware that some units may not be available in both semesters.

Students should also be aware that if they complete 60 credit points from any combination of core or elective units and then decide to discontinue their post graduate public health studies, they are eligible to apply for the exit award of Graduate Certificate in Public Health.