Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health

Purpose

The primary purpose for the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health is to develop a cadre of researchers within the health care industry (government and private) to be able to conduct empirical research to improve health care and address public health issues, focusing strategically on promotive, preventive and developmental systems level.

This qualification will equip learners with the necessary skills, competencies, values and attitudes in conducting research in a Public Health field, to make a unique contribution towards the scientific body of knowledge in public health and public health practice.

Learners who graduate with the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health will be able to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing research findings that address complex and challenging problems in the field of public health. Learners will illustrate intellectual capital, also in terms of personal growth, developing insight and foresight, workplace application, multicultural interaction, entrepreneurial thinking, emotional maturity, ethical rigor and applying leadership competencies in workplace and societal situations.

In essence, the purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners with the necessary critical insight, maturity of judgement and experience to undertake independent and original research in the specialised field of public health and to broaden and deepen the knowledge base in the field of public health in the generation of new knowledge or insight and the exploration of uncharted territory. The purpose of this qualification is also to enable the qualifying learner, as a member of the international community of scholars, to participate in and contribute to the universal pursuit of knowledge in public health and by so doing, advance the frontiers of public health through original contributions to the knowledge field of public health.

Rationale

The burden of disease in developing countries, including South Africa, is high and has devastating effects on the lives of families, social structures and national economies. Public Health is a comprehensive and dynamic discipline with an interest to members of various professions and disciplines including doctors, nurses, dentists, occupational therapists, managers of health facilities.

Learners targeted for this qualification hold a Master's Degree in a health related field at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9. These learners will typically be involved and employed in the field of public health and will therefore have a grounded understanding of public health challenges facing society, national and local government, municipalities and private health care providers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution's Recognition of Prior Learning policy is aligned with the national RPL Policy. Recognition of Prior Learning may be applied where required. Individual case assessment is adopted to implement this policy. The implementation of the policy is categorised into three processes: pre-assessment and application, assessment, and post-assessment.

Prospective learners who do not meet the pre-requisite to access the qualification may be advised to access it through the route of Recognition of Prior Learning. Learners may submit individual applications together with portfolios of evidence, reflecting their respective prior learning experience, gained through formal and/or informal education, to the University's Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator. The Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, in partnership with an academic (who works in the coordinator's office), screens the applications for their validity and completeness. The potential learners will typically be involved and employed in a health-related field. They will therefore have a grounded understanding and knowledge of public health needs of societies and communities at both national and international levels. Such prior experiences enable this category of learners to gain credit for access to the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master's Degree in Public Health or a public health related field.

This qualification consists compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 10, totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Research Proposal, 24 Credits.
• Research Thesis, 336 Credits.

1. Understand coherent and critical relevant theories in public health and public health related fields.
2. Rigorously critique and evaluate current research in public health.
3. Identify, analyse and contextualise local, national and global health related problems.
4. Display advanced skill in information retrieval and processing.
5. Rigorously participate in scholarly debates in the area of public health.
6. Master the undertaking of a research project and apply relevant research methods and techniques in an independent and innovative manner.
7. Produce a research report which meets the standards of professional writing.
8. Demonstrate capacity for continual critical self-evaluation.
9. Demonstrate capacity for continuing professional learning.
10. Demonstrate capacity to manage complex tasks autonomously, professionally and ethically.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Report comprehensively on original research.
• Use academic writing.
• Do citations accurately and format appropriately.
• Show evidence that the research was conducted ethically.
• Provide analyses and discourses of current debates, paradigms, models and theories pertaining to the problem that was researched in Public Health.
• Successfully integrate all elements required to substantiate the central thesis and contributions of the study.

Integrated Assessment

All assessments should be conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the institution's Assessment Policy.

Submitted proposals are assessed and approved by the supervisor and Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be ratified by the College Research and Higher Degrees Committee.

When a learner's thesis is nearing completion, he/she should inform the Registrar of his/her intention to submit it for examination at least two months before the anticipated date. After consultation with the co-supervisor (where applicable), the supervisor gives the learner permission to submit.

Assessment will include input from three external examiners of which at least one should be from a country other than South Africa.

Examiners are allowed six weeks to examine a thesis. The completed report of the panel of examiners is regarded as the examiners' final recommendation. The result of the doctoral thesis is based on a judicious appraisal of the examiners' reports.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the ability to engage in the field of Public Health in an integrative way, dealing with health challenges strategically and effectively. It is recommended for this ability to be demonstrated by the publication of at least one article based on the research, in a scientific peer reviewed journal.