Doctor of Public Health (DPH)
The Doctor of Public Health (DPH) offers you a unique combination of research and structured coursework. The degree has been designed to allow students who complete the Master of Public Health (MPH) coursework or a similar degree at an advanced level, to progress to a doctorate in only two extra years - instead of the three full-time years normally taken to complete a PhD.
The DPH is an advanced professional research degree aimed at those who intend to pursue careers in public health research or public health policy analysis. Graduating with a DPH demonstrates that you not only have doctoral level competency in research, but have also undertaken a broad education in public health at an advanced level.
To enter the DPH course you must first:
- complete 36 credit points of coursework from the current MPH program or from other coursework programs offered by the School - as agreed by the Head of School, and
- achieve a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70%.
You can then proceed to two-years full-time research (or longer for part-time) in which you must complete a thesis of equivalent standard to a PhD thesis.
Qualifications from other institutions:
If you already have a MPH from another university you are welcome to apply to have all or part of your degree credited towards the DPH program. Depending on the nature of your proposed research, you may also be required to undertake extra units of study that will be important to your chosen research topic.
The DPH can be taken on a full-time basis or its part-time equivalent:
Full-time - three years
Part-time - six years
Year 1: The course is structured so that the first (full-time) year of study is the coursework component - 36 credit points of coursework from the current MPH program or from other coursework programs offered by the School of Public Health. The specific coursework program and units of study that you take will be tailored to develop your individual competencies and skills, in relation to your research area.
Years 2-3: The final two (full-time) years of the DPH degree is a research component, which comprises a research thesis of an equivalent PhD thesis standard. During this time you will work closely with your supervisor who will help you clarify your topic and guide you through your research.
Like all research students within the School, you will need to give a presentation about your DPH to the University during your first year of study. In addition, you must also complete research-in-progress presentation to the School - see the important information for research students for further information.
As with the PhD, there is a very wide range of topic areas to choose from. Exploring the research interests and projects of our academic staff and current students may assist you in narrowing down your research area. There are also existing research opportunities within the School, offering specific topics and projects on which you can complete your research thesis.
Examples of the School's recent and current students' research projects for the DPH program include:
- immunisation communication strategies for media spokespersons
- risk factors of pregnancy outcomes
- road risk-taking behaviour and motor vehicle injury among young drivers.
In the 'Current Students' section of this site you can find all the relevant information and resources you will need as a research student in the School of Public Health, including:
- Resources - contains information, forms, guidelines, and links to relevant resources
- Research topics - a list of the School's postgraduate research students and the topics of their current research
- Handbooks - the School of Public Health Student Handbook 2005 and Clinical Epidemiology Handbook 2005
- Supervision guidelines - information and guidelines for research students and their supervisors