JCU Postgraduate Health Studies

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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
Advance your health career with postgraduate study at JCU. Whether you want to specialise, move into leadership, or expand your professional impact, JCU programs equip you with the skills, confidence, and real-world insight to make a difference. With a focus on the unique health challenges facing tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous communities — alongside global health priorities — you’ll learn from experts shaping the future of healthcare. Flexible study options and strong industry connections allow you to balance study with your career, while preparing to lead meaningful change in health systems and communities worldwide.
Why study postgraduate Health at JCU?
  • Learn from leading health professionals, researchers, and industry experts shaping the future of healthcare.  
  • Build practical skills you can apply directly in your workplace to advance your career.
  • Explore tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous health challenges while developing a global perspective.
  • Choose from a wide range of postgraduate health disciplines aligned with your career goals. 
  • Graduate with the expertise and confidence to lead meaningful change locally and internationally.

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Gain credit for prior learning

If you've previously completed formal study, you may be eligible to apply for study credit.

Gain a global perspective

Build the skills to work across borders and make a difference locally and globally.

Flexible learning through online study

Balance work, life and study with flexible online learning options.

▶ Postgraduate study options
Graduate Certificate of Advanced Practice and Prescribing for Pharmacists
Expand your opportunities to support community health as a pharmacist by learning to deliver preventative care and medication management. The Graduate Certificate of Advanced Practice and Prescribing for Pharmacists will help you develop the competencies required to prescribe medications for acute, common and chronic conditions, and provide health and wellbeing services specifically targeted at improving primary health care accessibility.

Graduate Certificate of Advanced Practice and Prescribing for Pharmacists

Location: Townsville*, Darwin**, Launceston***
Starts: January (Townsville, Darwin and Launceston), September (Townsville)
Duration:1 year part-time
Entry requirements:^ General registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia with no conditions and currently working in community or hospital practice in Australia. Pharmacists holding provisional registration and are near the end of their intern training require approval from the Head of Discipline.

*Mostly online delivery with some on campus attendance for residentials and OSCE assessment.

**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.

***Launceston offering is being delivered to support the Tasmanian Department of Health's Pharmacist Prescribing Initiative. Priority entry into the course will be given to applicants who have been awarded a Tasmanian Government subsidy. Applications from others will be considered if places remain available.


Please note that all face-to-face residential classes and face-to-face examinations will be conducted as follows:

  • Townsville applicants: Residentials and examinations will be held in Brisbane.
  • Launceston applicants: Residentials and examinations will be held in Launceston.
  • Darwin applicants: Residentials and examinations will be held in Darwin.
 

^This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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: a pharmacist standing in a dispensary holding a box of medication
Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education
Improve health outcomes for people living with diabetes by developing specialised skills in diabetes education and support. Build on your existing qualifications to provide targeted education and care for people with, or at risk of, diabetes. Learn to deliver culturally appropriate diabetes services across diverse communities, including rural and remote areas. The Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education combines clinical placements with specialised theory, preparing you to pursue 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 2026 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
Prepare to respond to humanitarian emergencies and disaster events with coordinated, informed public health action. The Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance equips health professionals with the skills to engage with displaced populations, support emergency response systems, and contribute to prevention, policy and recovery both in Australia and internationally. Tailor your studies with electives aligned to your career goals and prepare for work across diverse emergency and humanitarian settings.

Graduate Certificate of Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance

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

*This course may require some on-campus attendance.

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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.

Photo: an aerial view of a flooded town / Image via Shutterstock
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 settings. Designed for doctors, nurses and paramedics, the Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine prepares you to manage patient transport across fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Learn from experienced retrieval specialists and gain practical insight through simulation and field-based learning.

Graduate Certificate of Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine

Location: Online*
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 course may require some on-campus attendance

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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
Build specialist expertise in travel medicine and prepare to manage health risks across an increasingly connected world with the Graduate Certificate of Travel Medicine. This course equips you to assess and respond to travel-related health risks in both domestic and international settings. Gain experience investigating disease, promoting health education, and applying global best practice. 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
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:** AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

*This course may require some on-campus attendance.

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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
Take the next step in your career as a clinical educator by developing specialist expertise in teaching, curriculum design and education research. Designed for registered health professionals, this course prepares you to lead learning across hospitals, universities, clinics and community settings. Study online with support from experienced educators and graduate ready to guide and develop the next generation of health professionals.

Master of Health Professional Education

Location: Online
Starts: January, May, September
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.
 

Nested Qualifications - Early Entry and Exit Options

Graduate Certificate of Health Professional Education

Location: Online
Starts: January, May, September
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: January, May, September
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.


*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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 clinical 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
Help shape the future of healthcare through prevention, innovation and whole-person care. Designed for registered health professionals, this course prepares you to address lifestyle-related physical and mental health challenges through evidence-based practice. Study online, strengthen industry connections, and graduate with the skills to lead in clinical, research and community health settings.

Master of Lifestyle Medicine

Location: Online
Starts: January, May, September
Duration: 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Entry requirements:* AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a health discipline and current registration as a health professional.


Nested Qualifications - Early Entry and Exit Options

Graduate Certificate of Lifestyle Medicine

Location: Online
Starts: January, May, September
Duration: 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a health discipline or equivalent.

Graduate Diploma of Lifestyle Medicine

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

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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
Advance your health career while developing the expertise 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 studies with a wide range of electives, complete a research project, or pursue a major in Aeromedical Retrieval.

Master of Public Health

Location: Online, Townsville
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year and 1 trimester full-time or 2 years and 2 trimesters part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline; or equivalent.

Dual degree course options:

Master of Public Health — Master of Business Administration

Master of Public Health — Master of Global Development
 

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.

*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 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.

Photo: two people looking at a computer screen / ©Roslyn Budd (Budd Photography)
Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Tackle major health challenges affecting tropical regions and vulnerable communities around the world. This globally recognised degree builds advanced expertise in population health with a focus on tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous contexts. Learn how to prevent disease, strengthen health systems and lead effective health responses. Study online with optional block-mode subjects in North Queensland and graduate ready to lead health programs in Australia and internationally.

Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Location: Online, Townsville
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year and 1 trimester full-time or 2 years and two trimesters part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

 

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 or 2 years part-time
Entry requirements:* AQF Level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline or equivalent.

 

Graduate Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Location: Online, Townsville
Starts: January, September
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years 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 2026 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

File Arrow Down Icon Download Study Guide Find out more about entry criteria, course content and career opportunities.
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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."

Dr Emma King

General Practitioner, 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

▶ How to apply
1
Explore your options

Confirm that you meet the entry requirements for your course of interest and note the course code.

2
Check the application dates

Refer to the application due dates on the JCU website to ensure you apply before the deadline. 

3
Apply online

To apply for entry into a postgraduate program of study please submit your application via the JCU Application Portal.

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