Associate Degree in Public Health (specialisation)

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Rank threshold
ATAR: 60 SR: 60
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Location
Online
Next start term
Term 1, 2027
Study mode
Online
Course code
CC44
First-year fee
$9,600 (2026 Indicative) (CSP)
The Environmental Health and Health Promotion Majors are no longer available for selection from Term 1, 2027. A revised structure will be published shortly.
Overview
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Four Nutrition students sitting around a small round table in a study room looking at and discussing different foods

Overview

Discover a rewarding career and make a difference in the community with the Associate Degree of Public Health. Benefit from the support of experienced public health lecturers and authentic assessments to graduate work-ready.

In this course, you will develop a broad understanding of evidence-based strategies to address a range of health risks and achieve higher standards of health. Your study emphasises participation, prevention and partnership with the community. Your core units introduce you to foundations of health, the environment, chronic disease and public health interventions.

What is public health?

Public health refers to a collection of disciplines that share a common aim to prevent disease, promote health and improve wellbeing among the population as a whole rather than focusing on individuals. Public health interventions help advance health and address risks in our local and global communities. The eradication of smallpox, improvements in workplace safety, reduced morbidity from cholera, and decreased trends in tobacco smoking are all examples of public health interventions.

Study Experience

Discover more about your public health degree, including flexible study options and seamless pathways to advance your skills and knowledge. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Experienced Teaching Team
  • Flexible Online Study
  • Seamless Pathways
  • Student Support
  • Study Full-time or Part-time

Career Opportunities

As a graduate, you'll have relevant skills and knowledge to work in emerging roles in non-traditional public health areas. Your training also prepares you for technical and project support positions. These positions may be within government, non-government and private industry.

You will also have the option to continue your studies and complete the Bachelor of Public Health (Specialisation), allowing you to enhance your future career prospects further.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. 

You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below. Visit the Academic Calendars webpage for key dates relevant to your chosen intake.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete 16 units (96 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (9 units)
  2. 2
    One seven-unit major

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Core Units

You will study the nine units listed below.

The Environmental Health and Health Promotion Majors are no longer available for selection from Term 1, 2027. A revised structure will be published shortly.

Showing 8 of 9

Environmental Health Major

The Environmental Health Major is no longer available for selection from Term 1, 2027. A revised structure will be published shortly.

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

Compulsory residential schools are required for students enrolled in the following units:

- ENVH12001 Food Safety
- MBIO19012 Microbiology
- PBHL12001 Communicable Disease & Public Health

Community Engaged Learning - HLTH12031

HLTH12031 is a service-learning unit, where students spend 25 hours volunteering in the community. The content and assessment are highly reflective, with the aim being to help students build an understanding of a salutary approach to health.

If you have prior experience or have studied previously, you may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning (RPL), which can help reduce your study load and the time it takes to complete your degree.

Learn more about credit and RPL, including application timelines and the overall process.

This course does permit you to defer your offer and commence at a later date.

Learn more about the offer process.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

Student and Course Profiles

View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2026 via our Institute Profile. 

Institute Profile

Alternative Entry Pathways

CQU offers a range of alternative entry pathways to help you get started. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, there are options available, depending on your background and previous experience.

View Alternative Entry Pathways

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.

Commonwealth Supported Places

This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

Important

If you are a new student and are offered a CSP, you must submit an eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) with the Australian Government to confirm your place, even if you are ineligible for or don’t intend to use a HECS-HELP Loan.

This is a Government requirement, and if you don’t submit before your commencing census date, your enrolment for the term will be cancelled.

HECS-HELP Loan

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. 

Learn more about paying for university.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.

Explore scholarships.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier
  3. 4
    Receiving an offer
    Find out more about how your application will be assessed, offer types and timelines for receiving and responding to an offer.

Extra Admission Information

Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU. 

Start Your Application

When applying through a tertiary admissions centre (TAC) you can use the relevant TAC code below to search for a course or add it to your application preferences. 

Apply via QTAC

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