Make a difference to people’s lives on a broad scale with a Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion. You will learn how to tackle minor and major health issues and boost the wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations. Combined approaches involving community engagement, policy development, research, education and the media will give you the expertise needed to address the causes of poor health and boost wellbeing throughout society.

Do you want to understand key public health issues and improve the lives of others by contributing to a healthier community?

This course seeks to examine and act on the factors that cause poor health, as well as understanding those that create and sustain good health. You will work towards creating a healthier population by increasing health education, encouraging healthy practices and influencing policy.

Build your expertise in health promotion and gain important skills in industry-recognised competencies, including:

• planning and evaluation
• health communication strategies
• epidemiology
• health research.
   

You will also earn valuable experience through extensive work placements. Work-integrated learning is a core component of this course and provides you with the chance to gain real-world experience to further develop your expertise. The final year unit, Public Health and Health Promotion Practicum, gives you a 120-hour practice education placement in a health-related agency, where you can put your knowledge and skills to use in a practical setting under the supervision of qualified practitioners. You will be combining a strong theoretical base with hands-on learning in the field and graduating confident and career-ready.

With a variety of public health issues affecting healthcare systems globally, job growth in the sector is increasing. There are many different pathways and career opportunities in government and the private sector across Australia and internationally. You will be qualified for work in areas such as:

• community development
• health education
• health promotion
• health research
• policy and planning
• program development
• social planning
• women’s health.

You also have the option of joining a study tour, where you will use your acquired skills to promote health internationally in countries such as Cambodia.

Job growth in the health sector continues to increase as public health issues - such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, food access, sedentary lifestyles and ageing populations - affect healthcare systems globally.

These are just some examples, and with many other public health issues becoming more prevalent, you can mould your career around those that match your interests and passions in the health field. Throughout your degree, we frequently discuss different case studies to help spark ideas for your unique career pathway.

Career opportunities in government and private sector roles across Australia and internationally include:

• community development coordinator
• health policy developer
• health promotion officer
• health researcher
• program development coordinator
• program evaluator
• social planning officer
• women’s health officer.

You may find employment in a range of health areas including:

• tackling chronic illness (such as asthma, arthritis and
  heart disease), plus developing and implementing prevention strategies
• healthy eating
• mental health
• physical activity and environmental health
• social inclusion
• women’s health.