Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion (012753D)

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

Students will gain extensive practical experience throughout the course, including 120 hours of work experience in a health-related agency in the final year. They will be able to start building professional networks while putting their knowledge and skills to use in a practical setting under the supervision of qualified practitioners. By combining a strong theoretical base with hands-on learning in the field, they will graduate confident and career ready.

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

Students will build their expertise in health promotion and gain important skills in industry-recognised competencies, including: • planning and evaluation • health communication strategies • epidemiology • health research.

Work-integrated learning is a core component of this course and provides students with the chance to gain real-world experience to further develop their expertise, while building the resume so that they can launch a successful career in the booming health sector. 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. They will be qualified to work in areas such as: • community development • health education • health promotion • health research • policy and planning • program development • social planning • women’s health.

At Deakin University, students will be encouraged to mould their career around their interests and passions in health. Throughout the degree, teachers and mentors will frequently discuss different case studies to help spark ideas for their unique career pathway. This may also provide an opportunity to join an overseas study tour (subject to travel restrictions) where they will use their acquired skills to promote health in countries as diverse as Bhutan, Cambodia, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.