Doctor of Public Health

Overview

The Doctor of Public Health is a professional doctorate degree granted on successful completion of an approved program of coursework, in addition to a supervised independent original investigation of a significant problem in public health, and presentation of the research as a thesis. This degree prepares students for leadership positions in the public health sector that require advanced analytical and/or conceptual capabilities.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Doctor of Public Health will be able to:

1. Demonstrate expert, specialised cognitive technical and research skills in public and/or public health professional practice health area to independently and systematically generate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial contribution to the discipline of public health.
2. Critically reflect on, synthesise and evaluate a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of public health and/or an area of public health professional practice.
3. Communicate research findings, explaining and critiquing theoretical propositions, methodologies, results and conclusions to peers and to the community.
4. Apply detailed knowledge of research, research integrity, ethics and the rights and safety of others, to plan and execute original research with full autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsibility for personal outputs.

Course Structure 

The program for the degree will require successful completion of 144 credit points comprising:

1. 48 credit points of coursework subjects completed over the first year of study. The subjects:
   1. Are selected with the student in consultation with the potential research thesis primary supervisor, recommended by the Course Coordinator and approved by the Head of School;
   2. Must be passed with a credit average to allow progression into the research component of the course; and
   3. May include the following if the applicant does not have a background in public health:
      • HAS913 Social Determinants of Health
      • HAS920 Introduction to Epidemiology and Statistics II
      • HAS921 Health Research Methodology II
      • HAS922 Epidemiology and Statistics III
2. 96 credit points as a supervised thesis (THES912/924) completed over 2 years.

In addition to completing the coursework component with a credit average, students must have also developed a research project proposal and obtained agreement of a primary supervisor who has that role approved by the Head of School. The research project is developed over time into a written proposal which is submitted for panel assessment, in addition to oral presentation to an assessor panel of the School. This normally occurs within the equivalent of twelve months of full time study following initial enrolment.

On successful completion of the research proposal, the student undertakes the research under supervision. At the end of this period the student will submit a thesis for examination under the regulations for Doctoral Theses of the University.

Supervisors can be drawn from any major study area of the School. Normally the study area will be directly related to Public Health. In the event a primary supervisor is not in public health, a co-supervisor must come from public health.

Field of Study

• Public health
• Health promotion
• Health policy
• Public health nutrition
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Allied health education and practice
• Social marketing for health
• Sustainable communities

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au