Defence health boosted by master degree

Defence and Veterans’ Affairs health personnel can now apply for a new education program that provides a university qualification tailored to their needs.

The Masters of Public Health (Defence) is the first educational offering from the new Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH). The program is based on UQ’s Master of Public Health program.

Development Officer Leut-Cmdr Nigel Carlton says the program was designed to provide development opportunities for a range of medical and allied health personnel, including medical professionals, scientific officers and laboratory assistants, environment health officers, preventative medicine personnel, health administration officers, medical assistants and other personnel with a public health interest.

“Often, personnel are sent into a location where they need high-level management skills and knowledge to evaluate complex health environments and develop effective health care programs,” he said.

“The MPH [Defence] is designed to equip students with the skills to efficiently manage this environment.”

The program is offered at the Masters, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate levels, delivered externally, part-time or full-time. A Bachelor degree is required for entry to the Masters program. The University can offer entry to the Masters program via the Graduate Certificate program, for personnel without a degree, but with appropriate professional experience.

For more information go to the Defence web site http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dhs/links/index.htm and click on CMVH link. CMVH Web site is at http://www.uq.edu.au/health/index.html?id=16679. Or contact Leut-Cmdr Nigel Carlton on (07) 3346 4860 or 0412 158515, or e-mail n.carlton@uq.edu.au.