JCU Postgraduate Health Studies

Protect the health of communities

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Graduate Certificate of Advanced Practice and Prescribing for PharmacistsGraduate Certificate of Diabetes EducationGraduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian AssistanceGraduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval MedicineGraduate Certificate of Travel MedicineHealth Professional EducationLifestyle MedicinePublic HealthPublic Health and Tropical Medicine
Take your health career further with postgraduate study at James Cook University (JCU). Whether you want to specialise, step into leadership, or expand your impact, JCU programs give you the skills, confidence, and experience to make a real difference. With a focus on the unique challenges of tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and an eye to global health priorities, you’ll learn from experts who are shaping the future of healthcare. Flexible study options and strong industry connections mean you can balance study with your career while preparing to create lasting change in health systems and communities worldwide.
Why study postgraduate Health at JCU?
  • Learn from leading health professionals, researchers, and industry experts.  
  • Gain practical skills that translate directly to your workplace and career.
  • Focus on tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous health with a global perspective.
  • Choose from a wide range of postgraduate health disciplines to suit your goals. 
  • Graduate with the expertise and confidence to lead change locally and internationally.
1. 2025 Good Universities Guide, PG Health Services and Support l 2. 2025 Good Universities Guide, PG study area

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Gain credit for prior learning

If you have previously completed formal learning (previous study) you may be eligible to apply for study credit.

Gain a global perspective

Develop skills to take you all over the world and make a difference locally or globally.

Flexible learning through online study

Balance your work, life and study with the help of flexible study options.

▶ Postgraduate options
Graduate Certificate of Advanced Practice and Prescribing for Pharmacists
Expand your scope as a pharmacist with advanced skills in assessment, prescribing and patient management delivered mostly online with short on-campus residentials.

Fast facts

Location: Townsville (mostly online), Darwin*, Perth**
Starts: January, September
Entry requirements:^ Provisional or General registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia with no conditions and currently working in community or hospital practice in Australia.

*Darwin location is restricted to pharmacists practicing within the Northern Territory who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, or who hold an Australian work visa with study rights.

**Perth offering is being delivered to support the Western Australian Department of Health’s Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot. Priority for entry into the course will be given to applicants who have been awarded a Western Australian Government subsidy for community pharmacists. Applications from others will be considered if places remain available.
 

^This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

Graduates deliver expanded primary-care services, improve medication management and may progress to further research degrees.

Photo: three pharmacists standing in a dispensary
Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education
Support better outcomes for people living with diabetes. Enhance your existing qualifications to provide targeted education and support for people with or at risk of diabetes. Learn to deliver culturally appropriate diabetes services across diverse communities, including rural and remote areas. This course combines clinical placements with specialised theory, preparing you to gain accreditation with the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).

Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education

Location: Online
Starts: March, May
Duration: 8 months part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree or equivalent in clinical-based health, allied health or relevant field; and at least 12 months post-graduation experience in that field (AHPRA-Registered Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners require a minimum of a certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice).

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work as a diabetes educator across public hospitals, private practices, remote health clinics, pharmacies, or education and community health settings. This course is a recognised pathway to accreditation with the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).

Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance
Develop the skills to deliver coordinated, informed public health responses during humanitarian emergencies and disaster events. This course equips health professionals to engage with displaced populations, support emergency response systems, and contribute to prevention, policy and recovery both in Australia and internationally. Tailor your study with electives aligned to your career goals and prepare for work in diverse emergency settings.

Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance

Location: Online (some on-campus attendance required for electives)
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work in international aid agencies, government disaster response teams, or humanitarian organisations such as the United Nations, Red Cross or Médecins Sans Frontières. Graduates also pursue local disaster recovery and public health roles across Australia.

Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine
Deliver critical care when and where it’s needed most. Build specialised skills in prehospital and retrieval medicine to support patients in remote, emergency and interfacility contexts. Designed for doctors, nurses and paramedics, this course equips you to manage patient transport across fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Learn from retrieval specialists and gain practical insight through simulation and field-based learning..

Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine

Location: Townsville
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:* Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing or Paramedicine obtained from this university or another recognised university. A minimum of two (2) years’ full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in a critical care environment. Intern and first year of practice years are excluded from these two (2) years of experience. A current and complete CV demonstrating these minimum requirements must be submitted for approval by the Course Coordinator prior to enrolment into the course. Please note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work as a retrieval physician, flight nurse or flight paramedic across government health services, military, NGOs or remote medical teams. Graduates are prepared to deliver care in high-pressure environments both in Australia and internationally.

Graduate Certificate of Travel Medicine
Advance your professional skills and develop specialist knowledge in travel medicine. This course prepares you to assess and manage travel-related health risks across domestic and international contexts. Gain experience in investigating disease, promoting health education, and applying global best practices. You’ll study communicable and non-communicable conditions, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies relevant to tropical regions and beyond.

Graduate Certificate of Travel Medicine

Location: Online and Townsville (some on-campus attendance required)
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work in public or private hospitals, health clinics, or organisations focused on global health and traveller wellbeing. This course is accredited by the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine and can support progression to further study in public health or tropical medicine.

Health Professional Education
Advance your career as a clinical educator with specialist skills in teaching, curriculum design and education research. Designed for registered health professionals, this course prepares you to lead learning in hospitals, universities, clinics and community settings. Study online with support from experienced educators and graduate ready to shape the next generation of health professionals.

Nested Qualifications - Early Entry and Exit Options

Graduate Certificate of Health Professional Education

Location: Online, Townsville
Starts: February, July*
Duration: 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:** Registration as a nurse, doctor of medicine or other health professional in Australia; or AQF level 7 bachelor degree in relevant discipline with 2 years relevant experience; or equivalent.

Graduate Diploma of Health Professional Education

Location: Online
Starts: February, July*
Duration: 2 years part-time
Entry requirements:** AHPRA registration as a health professional; or AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant discipline plus 2 years relevant experience; or equivalent.

Master of Health Professional Education

Location: Online
Starts: February, July*
Duration: 3 years part-time
Entry requirements:** Registration as a nurse, medical doctor or other health professional in Australia; or AQF level 7 bachelor degree in relevant discipline plus 2 years experience; or equivalent.


*Please be advised that the intake period for this course is currently under review and may transition to a trimester-based schedule commencing in January 2026. A final decision regarding the revised intake timeline is anticipated after September.
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work as a lead educator, supervisor or preceptor across public hospitals, universities, rural health services or private practice. Graduates apply their teaching expertise across all health professions, including medicine, nursing, dentistry and allied health.

Lifestyle Medicine
Lead a new era of healthcare focused on prevention, innovation and whole-person care. Designed for registered health professionals, this course prepares you to address lifestyle-related physical and mental health issues through evidence-based practice. Study online, build industry connections, and graduate with the skills to lead in clinical, research and community health settings.

Nested Qualifications - Early Entry and Exit Options

Graduate Diploma of Lifestyle Medicine

Location: Online
Starts: February, July*
Duration: 1 year full-time online or part-time equivalent.
Entry requirements:** AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a health discipline and current AHPRA registration as a health professional.

Graduate Certificate of Lifestyle Medicine

Location: Online
Starts: February*
Duration: 6 months full-time.
Entry requirements:** AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a health discipline or equivalent.

Master of Lifestyle Medicine

Location: Online
Starts: February, July*
Duration: 1.5 years full-time
Entry requirements:** AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a health discipline and current registration as a health professional.


*Please be advised that the intake period for this course is currently under review and may transition to a trimester-based schedule commencing in January 2026. A final decision regarding the revised intake timeline is anticipated after September.
**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work in clinical practice, public health, research, teaching or consultancy across hospital, community, workplace or policy settings. Graduates are eligible to apply for Fellowship of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and are equipped to drive innovation across the health sector.

Photo: Dr Allison Hempenstall with a patient
Public Health
Take the next step in your health career and gain the skills to improve population health outcomes across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Learn how to prevent disease, strengthen health systems and respond to emerging public health priorities through a flexible, evidence-based program aligned with national industry standards. Tailor your study through a wide range of electives, complete a research project, or pursue a major in Aeromedical Retrieval.

Nested Qualifications - Early Entry and Exit Options

Graduate Certificate of Public Health

Location: Online
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline; or equivalent.

Master of Public Health

Location: Online, Townsville
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1.5 years full-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work in government health departments, hospitals, NGOs or international aid organisations. Graduates take on roles in health promotion, disease prevention, epidemiology, health policy, and global or tropical health programs. This course also offers options to progress into joint degrees in business or global development.

Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Build advanced expertise in population health with a focus on tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities. This globally recognised degree prepares you to prevent disease, improve health systems, and respond to major health challenges in tropical regions. Study online with optional block mode subjects in North Queensland and graduate ready to lead health programs in Australia and across the world.

Nested Qualifications - Early Entry and Exit Options

Graduate Diploma of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Location: Online, Townsville
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year full-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Location: Online, Townsville (block mode subjects may require attendance)
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1.5 years full-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2025 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
 

What career possibilities are there?

You could work in government health agencies, international development organisations, or non-profits supporting health in tropical or low-resource settings. Graduates lead programs in disease control, health protection, and health promotion across Australia and the Asia-Pacific

Take your next step with confidence

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Emma King

"I was so thrilled to hear of the availability of a masters level course with opportunities for research in lifestyle medicine. The course content is so rich and interesting and the educators very passionate and generous with their time. I have thoroughly enjoyed it."

Emma King

Master of Lifestyle Medicine – Alumni

Robbie Gillies

"I loved being in a new place and meeting new people from the Master of Public Health. We had amazing professors and specialists teaching us tropical medicine. All the highlights from my time there are framed by the scenery and the experience of living in beautiful Townsville."

Robbie Gillies

Master of Public Health – Alumni Young Victorian of the Year

Emily Grahn

"I left my home country on the chance to pursue a career in parasitology, and the overwhelming support from staff made that dream come true. My time at JCU is not over yet, but I can say full-heartedly that it is the most collaborative and positive experience, be it for work or learning, I have had at any institution."

Emily Grahn

Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine – Alumni HDR candidate and Associate Lecturer

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