Students gain a broad understanding of health and disease in the tropics; the problems faced by health services in the tropics; and the management of those services. Intensive academic training is followed by a period of collaborative field research in South East Asia or the Pacific. Graduates can describe the important health problems of the Asia Pacific, or their own region; discuss their determinants, effects upon communities and strategies for management and control; and describe and discuss management issues at the primary health care level. Students must hold a 4-year degree in health, behavioural, social, agricultural or biological sciences and have completed relevant work experience satisfactory to the Executive Dean. All fields of study are a mixture of internal and external delivery. All core courses are offered internally and externally. If a student wishes to complete the program either entirely by internal or external delivery the choice of courses is more limited. Summer Semester entry not available for international students.

The program gives students the skills to investigate and analyse community health needs; develop and implement public health programs; work as a member of a health team; plan and conduct training and educational programs; monitor and evaluate public health programs including primary health care; develop knowledge and skills, keep abreast of scientific advances; and consult and evaluate expert opinions.