Master Programmes

Master of Public Policy with a focus on Policy for Health Equity (In Development)

The Master of Public Policy in Health Equity aims to address a current gap in global health education and train health professionals, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and graduates to address the upstream drivers of health and advance equitable policy and systems change. The programme prepares graduates to analyse, develop, implement, and evaluate public policy that improves health outcomes and reduces health inequities across communities, institutions, and societies. The focus of this master’s will be understanding and addressing the structural, political, social, and commercial determinants of health along with a foundational understanding of epidemiology and biostatistics. For young graduates of this program, we aim to set them up to enter a career pathway that focuses on influencing policy, contribute to national and global conversations on shifting the status quo in global health to center equity. Students will develop expertise in policy analysis, governance, leadership, and evidence-informed decision-making to address complex health challenges.

For early-career graduates, we aim to prepare them for careers in public policy, government, international organisations, civil society, research, and advocacy, contributing to national, regional, and global efforts to improve health equity. For mid- and senior-career professionals, we aim for them to return to their positions within organizations or take on new positions ready to influence policy and contribute to strategic directions of organizations, governments, international organisations, and the global architecture of global health.

As a Master of Public Policy in Health Equity student, you will:

  • Develop a foundational understanding of epidemiology and biostatistics, allowing you to understand population health, disease surveillance, monitoring, and response.
  • Develop competency in global health governance and public sector governance across local, national, regional, and global contexts.
  • Build skills in policy analysis, policy design, implementation, and equity-informed health policy.
  • Develop the ability to analyse, evaluate, and strengthen health systems to promote equitable health outcomes.
  • Develop a critical understanding of contemporary global health challenges, policy debates, implementation, leadership, and systems change.
  • Explore health equity, ethics, human rights, and the structural, social, political, and commercial determinants of health as foundations for policy development.
  • Tailor your studies through elective units in areas such as advanced research methods, global health law, leadership, implementation science, health systems, and emerging policy challenges.
  • Choose between an applied professional practicum over one to two semesters, or a research thesis pathway, allowing you to develop meaningful and marketable skills connected to the work you are interested in doing, while receiving mentoring and supervision to support your success.