Principles of Public Health
UndergraduateLTU-PHE10052025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 23 Feb 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Price from
- $1,164
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Principles of Public Health
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Introduce and critically analyse the various concepts, values and strategies relating to public health in Australia and internationally.
- Identify and describe the often conflicting roles and interests held by the various stakeholders engaged in or affected by public health activities.
- Critically articulate the applicability of various public health strategies across levels of society.
- Collaboratively evaluate public health as a discipline supporting vulnerable and/or priority communities.
- What is Public Health?
- A Global Charter for the Public’s Health
- Evidence, Ethics and Human Rights
- Inequalities and Inequities
- Determinants of Health
- Health Protection
- Disease Prevention
- Health Promotion
- Enabling Functions of Public Health
- Contexts of Public Health
- Future Challenges for Public Health
- Subject Wrap Up
This subject introduces you to the concepts and principles of public health as they relate to various times in history and diverse contexts, populations and health challenges. You will acquire an understanding of the environmental, sociocultural, political, economic, technological, organisational, behavioural and genetic factors that interact to shape the health of communities and populations. You will identify and evaluate the range, strengths and weaknesses of evidence that informs public health policies, programs and practice, along with major ethical considerations. Public health successes and failures, and contemporary approaches to protecting and improving health, preventing and controlling disease and injury, and reducing health inequalities will be explored. These will reveal core functions of public health systems such as surveillance and monitoring.
- Diagnostic task - writing and referencing (250 words). (10%)
- Individual report and infographic examining public health responses to contemporary health issues (equivalent 1250 words). (30%)
- Two short quizzes (1000 word equivalent). (30%)
- 15 minute group oral presentation (1250 word equivalent per person). (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed PHE2PHP (Principles of Public Health Practice) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DIP
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.