Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Public Health Research Degree

Doctor of Public Health

The Doctor of Public Health allows candidates to pursue a higher research degree of a standard similar to the traditional PhD but one that will also contribute to improved professional practice of participants. These degrees are recognised and classified as research degrees.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for entry into professional doctorates will normally have either an honours degree (H2A standard) or equivalent, a Masters by research, a Masters by coursework with a substantial thesis component or equivalent.

In certain circumstances, candidates who can supply sufficient evidence of research capacity may be admitted through a special entry category.

Academic Qualifications: Masters with no thesis component. Postgraduate Diploma.

Experience or other qualification: More than 3 years experience at a senior level; evidence of research capacity.

Candidates admitted on the basis of special admission will be given 'conditional admission' and will only be able to progress to the thesis after satisfactory completion of the coursework component, with a B average for at least two of the units.

Evidence of research capacity includes a published paper in refereed journal or other relevant evidence, preferably related to the field being contemplated for the thesis project. Academic referees, in their reports that form part of the application for candidature, should specifically address such evidence.

Course Structure

The professional doctorate program involves the full-time equivalent of one year of coursework and two years of thesis. In the first full-time year of the program (or in first or second year for part-time students), students will study subjects in Health Research. To complete first year, elective subjects will be taken from within the Faculty or outside the Faculty, to be agreed with the school of enrolment as being appropriate to the candidate's field of study, professional development plan and/or proposed research program. Up to 30 credit points of elective subjects may be taken from appropriate existing coursework Masters subjects, although doctoral level assessment is required.

Includes attendance and participation in colloquia/seminars.

Electives: Students should discuss suitable eletives with the course co-ordinator. There are a limited number of Professional Doctorate units however students may enrol in up to 30 credit points of Masters level units in which Professional Doctorate students are expected to undertake doctoral level assessment and class requirements.

Application Process

Applications for candidature are welcome all year. The closing date for applications for scholarships is 31 October for Australian and New Zealand citizens and 30 September for overseas applicants. Applicants must allow three months prior to commencement of study for admission processs to be complete.

Applicants for the Doctor of Public Health are required to:

1. Submit a three hundred word abstract of their proprosed research.

2. Identify supervisor and speak to Course Co-ordinator regarding supervision.

The Research and Graduate Studies Office will enrol students in the school in which they will be supervised for the thesis component of their degree. Information can be found on their webpage at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/research-services/

Scholarship information can also be found on the Research and Graduate Studies webpage at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/research-services/sc/

Contact Details

Course Coordinator

Assoc Prof Gregory Murphy
Email: g.murphy@latrobe.edu.au
Phone: 03 9479 1745

Administration

Postgraduate Enquiry Office
Email: Postgraduate Administration Officer
Phone: 03 9479 5724