Master of Public Health

The qualification aims

• To provide qualifiers with specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in health sciences that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
• To enhance the capacity of people working in the health field to enable them to act as change agents in the health system and promote health and prevent disease.
• To provide South Africa with significant numbers of postgraduates in health or related sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Public Health Honours, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, NQF Level 8.

• Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made;
• Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community;
• Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively;
• Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information;
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion;
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation;
• Reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
• Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
• Be culturally sensitive across a range of social contexts.

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Describe the Public Health approaches and their applications in a critical, reflective way and to take effective action in addressing priority problems in Public Health.
• Pursue advanced academic studies.
• Engage critically with current Public Health issues.
• Apply specialised theoretical knowledge in areas of specialisation.
• Conceptualise, plan, undertake and report on a limited piece of advanced research in Public Health (7500 - 12500 words).

Integrated Assessment

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

In this qualification progress in each of the modules is individually monitored and evaluated based on continual assessment in the form of assignments, research projects, and examinations. Classroom work, overall performance, and progress in practice education are treated as a comprehensive whole, so that the assessment and evaluation might be as holistic as possible. Besides the written examination for each of the modules of the qualification, learners should also complete and independent research in the form of a mini-thesis.