| Rank threshold | ATAR: 60 SR: 60 |
| Duration | 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time |
| Location | Online and |
| Next start term | Term 2, 2024 |
| Study mode | On Campus, Online |
| Course code | CC44 |
| First-year fee | $8,944 (Indicative) (CSP) |
Overview
Discover a rewarding career in health promotion or environmental health and make a difference in the community with the Associate Degree of Public Health. Tailor your studies and prepare yourself for a career in public health with the Associate Degree of Public Health (Specialisation). Benefit from the support of experienced public health lecturers and authentic assessments to graduate work-ready.
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.
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. And, you'll have the option to choose a major in health promotion, environmental health or public health nutrition.
Health promotion major
This major sees you gain skills and knowledge of health promotion activities. You'll study topics such as drugs in society, health promotion strategies, indigenous studies and community needs assessment.
Environmental health major
You'll learn to monitor environmental health issues. This includes assisting in conflict resolution between agencies, regulated parties and the communities. Your study topics in microbiology, food safety, environmental science, law and communicable disease control.
Public health nutrition major
In this major you'll build your skills and knowledge to take part in food and nutrition interventions. You'll study topics such as nutrition, community needs assessment, chronic diseases and health promotion.
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 to further enhance your future career prospects.
Career Opportunities
Completion of the Associate Degree of Public Health (Specialisation) will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in public health, such as:
- Environmental Health Officer
- Health Promotion Officer
- Environmental Health Technical Officer.
This degree may also be of interest if you currently work in administrative support roles in public health and wish to advance in the profession.
Structure & Availability
Course structure
You are required to complete seven core units and either one seven-unit major in environmental health or health promotion, or a nine-unit major in public health nutrition.
Unit information
For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.
Credit transfer information
If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.
On-Campus Availability
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| Term 1, 2023 | Bundaberg, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville |
| Term 2, 2023 | Bundaberg, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville |
| Term 1, 2024 | Bundaberg, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville |
| Term 2, 2024 | Bundaberg, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville |
| Term 1, 2025 | Bundaberg, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville |
| Term 2, 2025 | Bundaberg, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville |
Online Availability
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| Term 1, 2023 | Available Online |
| Term 2, 2023 | Available Online |
| Term 1, 2024 | Available Online |
| Term 2, 2024 | Available Online |
| Term 1, 2025 | Available Online |
| Term 2, 2025 | Available Online |
Environmental Health major
As an Environmental Health graduate, you will be skilled to work in local, state and federal government, in overseas aid, the military (including the army and air force as an environmental health officer) as well as in private industry. Create change by working on projects that focus on the link between environment and human health such as safe drinking water, safe food, clean air, healthy housing, disaster management, areas impacted by changing environments, and settlement planning to improve health, prevent injury and disease.
Health Promotion major
The Health Promotion major equips you with the skills to work in the community, industry, business, and government sectors to educate people to make healthy choices. You will be qualified to work in a range of areas such as infant feeding, maternal health, child health, chronic disease prevention, Aboriginal health, food supply, food security, or overseas development and more.
Public Health Nutrition major
This major allows you to provide advice and guidance to organisations, private industry, community health groups and government about population-level nutrition issues. You will have the skills to write and develop policies about nutrition in schools, food labelling, and regulations relating to allergens and intolerances. Plus, you'll work closely with health promotion professionals to improve health issues relating to diet, especially obesity and cardiovascular disease.
- ENVH12001 Food Safety
- MBIO19012 Microbiology
- PBHL12001 Communicable Disease & Public Health
Some electives may have compulsory residential schools. Students are advised to check the handbook and Unit Profile prior to enrolment.
Community Engaged Learning - HLTH12031
This unit is compulsory for Health Promotion majors only. 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.
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, 2023 via our Institute Profile.
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). Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
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.
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.
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.
How to apply
How to apply
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Your application options
Follow these steps
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
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