Master of Public Health

Purpose

To educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge to protect, preserve and promote the health of communities and populations in a multidisciplinary manner at an advanced level such that they are prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment.

Rationale

South Africa currently faces numerous health system challenges that require graduates with specialised and advanced skills to conduct critical research, formulate, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate policies and programs aimed at improving the health status from a population perspective. The Master of Public Health will provide students with specialised knowledge of health issues from a population perspective, allowing them to critically engage and conduct advanced research on the various aspects affecting health from a population focus.

The Master of Public Health will enable students to reflect critically on theory and its application and creatively, design and critically appraise research, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access may be gained through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which is applied in accordance with the policy document Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Policy and Procedures of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Assessment of all applicants is approved by Faculty Boards, prior to student registration. The learners must produce a portfolio of evidence that shows the experience and learning that have arisen out of the work environment and must include reports that they have produced in the work environment, all Public Health courses that they have completed through relevant accredited organisations and supporting letters from supervisors and managers.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8 in a health related or social science discipline, or.
• Bachelor in Medical Science Honours, Level 8.
• MBCHB.
• A Bachelor's Degree, Level 7 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health, Level 8.
• A minimum of a one-year programme or clinical experience in the health or social sector.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,176 Credits

• Public Health Principles and Practice, 16 Credits.
• Qualitative Research Methods, 16 Credits.
• Health Measurement (Analytic), 16 Credits.
• Health Measurement (Descriptive) 16 Credits.
• Research Methods and Bioethics, 16 Credits.
• Research Project in Public Health, 96 Credits.

Elective Modules, 16 Credits (Choose one)

• Maternal and Reproductive Health, 16 Credits.
• Health Systems and Policy, 16 Credits.
• Health Service Management, 16 Credits.
• Health Economics and Financing, 16 Credits.
• Epidemiology (Intermediate), 16 Credits.
• Child and Adolescent Health, 16 Credits.

1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of health, the health care system and public health problems and of measures that can be taken to address these problems and to promote, protect and restore the health of a population.
2. Understand the factors which influence local, national and global legislative and social policies.
3. Demonstrate skills of critical and analytical thinking and apply them to research in the health domain.
4. Apply broad-based, state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative skills needed for problem solving.
5. Demonstrate multi-disciplinary and collaborative strategies for solving health related problems.
6. Use communication skills when working with diverse populations; and.
7. Take up a leadership role in health service management, policy formulation, health promotion and disease prevention.

• Demonstrate knowledge of current health policy and legislation.
• Engage with debates on current health policy.
• Answer integrated practical assignments and case studies.
• Apply learning to own work situation.
• Complete a research dissertation.
• Understand and critically evaluate public health studies.
• Engage with debates on current health policy.
• Participate in class discussions.
• Demonstrate critical thinking in written submissions.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment will be used for formative and summative assessments. Assignments and examinations will primarily focus on the application of learning to specific problems and contexts rather than the reproduction of theoretical knowledge. Real problems and case studies will be used wherever possible.

Assessment methods will include

• Individual written assignments - The students will be provided with an integrated case scenario that will require critical analysis of the theoretical knowledge provided.
• Individual and group oral presentations - This will assess the ability of the students to work in groups and communicate the findings.
• Written examinations- This will test the knowledge of students in an integrated manner.

The research module and dissertation draws on the theoretical knowledge acquired across all the modules.