The Doctor of Public Health is a higher research degree which provides suitably qualified health professionals with a balanced training in the theory and practice of public health. The prescribed course work (20 per cent) comprises advanced epidemiology, statistical methods for public health, advanced research methods in public health and health leadership and management. Two elective units are chosen from a wide range of units. The research project (70 per cent) is expected to provide a significant original contribution to knowledge and/or practice in the field of public health and to demonstrate the capacity of the student to conduct independent research. The public health practice component (10 per cent) is a supervised attachment in a variety of public health settings. Graduates will be well equipped to enter a wide range of careers in epidemiology, public health practice and research.
Following the completion of prescribed coursework, practical experience and a research project, graduates will be able to (a) appreciate the need for evidence-based practice in public health, (b) critically appraise published research studies, (c) formulate, conduct and report independent research, (d) apply research findings to professional practice, (e) develop skills in the formulation and evaluation of community-based health interventions, (f) develop skills in writing professional reports, (g) present research findings to professional and lay audiences, (h) formulate public health policy, and (i) demonstrate the capacity to provide leadership in public health.
The Doctor of Public Health is a three-year full-time program. As with PhD studies, a year of full-time study comprises 48 weeks. The program has three components:
While work towards the thesis will occur
throughout each 48-week year, coursework sessions will be conducted over two
13-week semesters for the first two years. The public health practice component
will occur in the second year of the course.
The course may be undertaken as a three-year full-time degree or a six-year
part-time degree.
As the Doctor of Public Health will be an intensive and demanding program, selection for the course will be rigorous with the goal of selecting highly motivated top-class students. The same standards of academic excellence which apply to acceptance for PhD study will be applied to acceptance of students into the Doctor of Public Health, that being the minimum of an upper second class honours degree in a health discipline or equivalent. Candidates would be expected to have a minimum of two years of work experience in the field of public health. Suitability for the role of a professional working in public health will be assessed from both a personal statement and referee reports. Enrolment into the doctorate program will be probationary for the first year with firm admission contingent on meeting all course requirements in the first year.
Admission to the professional doctoral program will also be available to public health professionals who have previously graduated with a Masters of Public Health. In general, there will be scope for students who have completed coursework and/or supervised practice of equivalent standing to those in the program to be granted exemption for the relevant component(s) up to a maximum of three units. Appropriate methods for assessment of equivalence of prior study will be applied either through a viva voce, written examination, submission of referees' reports and/or presentation of written work. Credit will not be given for previous research. A minimum enrolment period of two years will apply to all later-year applicants. No credits will be given for elective units.
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