Australian Catholic University

What you'll study

This honours-level bachelor provides a broad grounding in public health theory and practice, with a final year dedicated to an independent research project or major applied capstone. Core study areas typically include epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, health systems and policy, environmental and occupational health, Indigenous and community health, and research methods. Learning is delivered through lectures, tutorials, case-based learning and supervised workplace placements or internships.

Typical topics and modules you can expect:

• Foundations of Public Health — population health concepts, determinants of health and health equity.
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics — study design, measures of disease frequency and basic data analysis for public health.
• Health Promotion and Program Planning — behaviour change theory, program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Health Policy and Systems — health services organisation, policy analysis and governance.
• Environmental and Occupational Health — environmental risk factors, workplace health and prevention strategies.
• Indigenous and Community Health — cultural safety, social determinants and community-led approaches.
• Research Methods and Ethics — qualitative and quantitative methods, critical appraisal and research governance.
• Practicum/Placement — supervised field experience with health services, NGOs or government agencies.
• Honours Research Project — an extended research thesis or applied project undertaken with academic supervision.

Entry requirements

Admission to the bachelor component is normally based on satisfactory completion of secondary school qualifications or an approved equivalent, including recognised vocational qualifications and mature‑age entry pathways. International applicants must meet ACU's general academic entry standards and demonstrate English language proficiency in line with the university's requirements.

Progression into the honours year is typically competitive and requires students to meet specified academic progression criteria during the undergraduate coursework (for example, a minimum grade point average or equivalent standard). Where applicable, selection for the honours year may also consider the suitability of proposed research topics and availability of academic supervision.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of public health roles across government, non‑government organisations, community health services and the private sector. Common career paths include:

• Health promotion officer or program coordinator, planning and delivering community health initiatives.
• Public health policy analyst or advisor in local, state or federal agencies.
• Research assistant or research officer supporting public health and clinical research projects.
• Environmental and occupational health practitioner focusing on prevention and compliance.
• Monitoring and evaluation specialist analysing program effectiveness and outcomes.
• Roles in international health, humanitarian agencies and community development organisations.

The honours year also provides a pathway to higher degree research (such as a PhD) for graduates interested in an academic or research-intensive career.

Why study at Australian Catholic University

ACU emphasises socially responsive health education with a strong focus on health equity, Indigenous health and community engagement. The university offers interprofessional learning opportunities across health disciplines, practical placements with health services and NGOs, and close academic supervision for honours research projects.

Students benefit from small-group teaching in many subjects, access to applied learning facilities and links with local health providers and community organisations that support professional networking and employment pathways. The course is designed to combine practical skill development with research training, preparing graduates for both professional practice and further study in public health.