What skills will I develop on a master of public health?

By Your Health Magazine

Studying a master of public health can help to develop many skills that make it easier to move into your new career. These skills including communication and critical thinking are vital for success as a public health professional, so let us show you the main skills you will develop and everything you need to know about a master of public health!

4 skills a master of public health will develop

A master of public health will help you develop many skills, like research and academic writing, but there are four key skills that you can expect to develop, including communication and critical thinking. The soft skills the course will develop will not only allow you to complete the course but also make you more employable as you start your new career. We have detailed the skills you can expect to develop below:

Critical thinking

A master of public health encourages you to engage critical thinking skills, helping you to develop them. Critical thinking is needed to complete your assignments and analyse case studies and other materials. As you engage with materials on your course, you will learn how to analyse and assess information critically to find the perfect solution to challenges.

Communication

Written assignments will be submitted throughout your course,which can help develop your communication skills. You will learn how to communicate concisely, an important skill in the public health sector. You will need to communicate through the written word and verbally when working in public health, with the course helping to develop your communication. In your new career, you might need to produce pamphlets, reports, or emails, so it is important that you enhance your communication skills.

Problem-solving

Each unit will introduce you to new topics and challenges you will need to overcome. As you work independently, you can develop your problem-solving skills, complete research to complete assignments, and prepare for complex challenges in the workplace. How you approach these challenges and overcome them will give you an idea of how you might handle them in your new role.

Time management

Time management is a vital skill that will be developed as you study remotely and part-time. Most master’s of public health courses allow you to study at times that suit you, but you will need to develop your time management skills to ensure that all your work is completed on time. You will need to do this while considering any other commitments you have, too, often juggling several responsibilities. Doing so can heighten your time management skills and prepare you for a busy role in the public health sector.

What can I do with a master of public health?

After completing your master of public health, you have several career options. You can move into more senior and leadership roles, providing you with an increased salary and responsibilities. Many graduates will move into the following roles:

Public health medical officer
Lecturer in health
medical/health advisor
Program officer
Communicable disease analyst
Project officer
NGO manager
Health promoter
Public health researcher
Community health promoter
Public policy and strategy consultant
Health educator
Health promotion research coordinator
Disease preparedness researcher
Disaster preparedness coordinator
Infection prevention
Health informatics specialist
Communications manager
Health administrator
Senior advisor – health
Policy advisor – health

What will I learn on a master of public health?

What you will learn during a master of public health course will depend on the course provider that you choose. We recommend checking the course brochure or reaching out to your course provider to learn more about the units available and the content covered. Typically, a master of public health is split into twelve units, with similar titles to those listed below:

Culture and society in public health
Foundations of public health
Epidemiology and biostatistics 1
Epidemiology and biostatistics 2
Promoting health in policy
Public health in practice
Public health program management
Systems thinking in public health

A master of public health often comes with the option to specialise, choosing between global health leadership and health promotion. These specialisations will comprise four additional units, which can look like the following:

Global leadership:

Global health economics and finance
Global health leadership
Global health systems and decision making
Research project

Health promotion:

Global contexts of health promotion practice with diverse populations
Innovative and evidence-based health promotion
Research project
Social media and social marketing approaches to health promotion

What do I need to apply for a master of public health?

To apply for a master of public health you will need an Australian bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in any discipline or an Australian graduate diploma in a similar discipline. You might find that the entry requirements vary depending on the course provider, so speak to them directly.

You can often apply for a graduate certificate in public health if you do not have an undergraduate qualification, provided you have five years of approved work experience. What counts as approved work experience will vary depending on the course provider, so speak to them directly before applying.

Find your master of public health today

A master of public health is an excellent way to develop your soft skills and prepare for a career in public health. Victoria University offers an excellent master of public health that can help develop your time management and critical thinking skills, making it easier for you to succeed in a new role. Contact Victoria University to learn more about their master of public health course today.