Master of Public Health

The programme will provide people interested in pursuing a career in public health, whether as practitioners, managers or researchers, with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes. The neglect of public health training has contributed to the poor performance of health services in South Africa. This programme will begin to redress in backlog in public health training within the region.

The MPH is an internationally recognised qualification to prepare professional for leadership roles in the health sector. The MPH is open to health workers and social scientist interested in public health. The MPH will allow mid-career professionals to improve their effectiveness or advance their provisions.

Applicants for the programme must have

i. At least a four-year Bachelors degree or recognised equivalent.

ii. Have been employed in a relevant management post for a minimum of three years.

iii. Adequate writing and numeric skills.

The number of places on the programme is limited. Applicants will be selected by a selection committee on the basis of

• prior work experience
• future career plans
• employer support
• commitment to public health
• academic merit
• addressing representivity

Recognition of prior learning

Applicants without the required qualification can apply to the selection committee for recognition of prior learning if they have at least four years relevant work experience and can satisfy the committee that they can cope with studies at this level.

• Be able to provide strategic direction to the development of health policies and services;
• Be able to implement and mange health services and programmes;
• Be able to evaluate health services and programmes, and institute changes required to improve their functioning;
• Be able to plan and conduct a public research project;
• Be able to critically evaluate published studies on public health problems;
• Be able to engage critically with current public health debates;
• Have specific expertise in at least one of the following areas of public health;
• Health measurement;
• Health services management;
• Occupational health;
• Population studies.

• Knowledge of current health policy and legislation;
• Ability to engage with debates on current health policy;
• Ability to answer integrated practical assignments and case studies;
• Ability to apply learning to own work situation;
• Completion of research dissertation;
• Ability to understand and critically evaluate public health studies;
• Ability to engage with debates on current health policy;
• Participation in class discussions;
• Critical thinking demonstrated in written submissions;
• Formal evaluation in the learner's chosen area of concentration;

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

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

• Evaluation of class preparation and participation
• Individual and group written assignments
• Individual and group oral presentations
• Case studies
• Written, practical and oral examinations
• Computer-based examinations