Master of Public Health

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Public Health qualification is to equip postgraduates with the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies to advance public health using evidence-based approaches. This qualification prepares professionals to effectively tackle public health challenges, critically evaluate information, prevent diseases spread of diseases, and address health inequalities by integrating multiple disciplines. Qualifying learners will be empowered to spearhead public health initiatives within diverse communities, both locally and globally, through research, policy analysis, and advocacy. The master qualification opens doors in multiple sectors, government health agencies (e.g., CDC, WHO), healthcare administration, academia, and research.

The qualifying learner will have the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies to bridge the gap between community needs and health services related to global health networks and data analytics. These skills and competencies are articulated in the exit level outcomes(ELOs), which align with the qualification's purpose to advance public health using evidence-based approaches. They can plan health services, design qualifications, perform disease surveillance, analyse trends, embrace teamwork, and implement health policies that enhance organisational performance.

The qualifying learners will be able to

• Communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Solve problems.
• Think critically.
• Gather information and synthesise findings.
• Manage time, prioritise tasks, and work independently.

The qualifying learner will demonstrate the following key attributes

• Strong foundation in core public health disciplines: Epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, and social & behavioural sciences.
• Competence in planning, implementing, and evaluating public health qualifications.
• Skills in leadership, organisational management, and team coordination, especially during public health emergencies or campaigns.
• Ability to communicate public health information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Cultural humility and commitment to equity.
• Ethical professionalism.
• Flexibility and continuous learning.

Rationale

The qualification addresses the growing demand for advanced public health expertise in South Africa and the broader African region. The rising burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, the persistent inequities in healthcare access, and the complex interplay between social determinants and health outcomes show the need for a highly skilled public health workforce capable of generating and applying scientific knowledge to solve real-world challenges. The master qualification further addresses the needs of both the public and private sectors by equipping learners with critical skills in epidemiology, health policy, and leadership to tackle public health challenges. It targets qualifying learners and professionals from health-related fields who aim for roles in government, NGOs, research, and global health agencies, such as public health officials, analysts, or policymakers.

With its strong commitment to community engagement and transformation, Walter Sisulu University developed this qualification through extensive consultation with key public health stakeholders, including the Eastern Cape Department of Health, national public health units, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academic experts. Feedback from these engagements highlighted a critical shortage of professionals with advanced competencies in health systems management, disease prevention, epidemiology, and health promotion, skills central to this qualification.

Qualifying learners of this qualification will be prepared for various roles in government departments, research institutions and universities, international and local NGOs, and the private sector health consultancy space.

The qualification resides within the postgraduate learning pathway in the health sciences, offering both vertical and horizontal articulation. Qualifying learners may progress to doctoral studies, such as a PhD, and be eligible for related professional development qualifications in epidemiology, health economics, or health systems strengthening.

This qualification contributes meaningfully to the institution's mission of academic excellence, social responsiveness, and regional development. It offers learners from underrepresented and underserved areas access to advanced public health education that is contextually relevant and globally informed.

The research component enhances the university's postgraduate research output. At the same time, qualifying learners contribute to improving health outcomes in vulnerable communities, thereby reducing public sector burdens and advancing South Africa's health and development goals.

At a broader level, the master qualification supports national priorities such as the National Development Plan 2030 by cultivating leaders who can respond to pandemics, build resilient health systems, and drive innovation across the healthcare sector, making a direct impact on public health, the economy, and society at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of prior learning will be applied in accordance with the institutional RPL policy, which aligns with the national policies and guidelines of SAQA and the CHE.

RPL may be used for access and/or advanced standing(exemption of credits) for this qualification

RPL for Admission

This may apply to learners who do not meet the formal minimum entry requirements but can demonstrate that they possess comparable competencies.

This may include, but is not limited to

• Extensive relevant professional or community-based experience in public health, health promotion, or related health fields
• Non-credit bearing qualifications aligned with NQF Level 8.

Assessments will be conducted against the Exit Level Outcomes of the NQF Level 8 qualification, which the applicant would've needed for entry. A submission of an RPL Portfolio (PoE) includes training certificates, authored policy documents, and supervisor testimonials.

Admission via RPL will only be granted upon approval of the Faculty Admissions Committee.

RPL for Module Exemption

• Review of learning outcomes from prior qualifications or training against the learning outcomes of the MPH modules.
• Submission of an RPL PoE showing competence aligned with specific module outcomes (e.g. Health Systems Management or Epidemiology).
• Academic credit may be granted only for coursework modules, not the dissertation.

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.

Or

• Equivalent Bachelor's (Health sciences) / Post Graduate diploma, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9, totalling 180 credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 09, 70 Credits

• Health Systems Management, 20 credits
• Primary Health Care and Health Promotion, 10 credits
• Health Information System, 10 credits
• Health Measurements, 20 credits
• Research methodology, 10 credits

Electives, NQF Level 09, 30 Credits. Choose any 3

• Monitoring and Evaluation, 10 credits
• Medical sociology and anthropology, 10 credits
• Law and Ethics in Health, 10 credits
• Disease Control, 10 credits
• Clinical governance and leadership, 10 credits
• Advanced epidemiology and biostatistics, 10 credits
• Advanced Demography, 10 credits
• Climate change and health, 10 credits
• Social determinants of health, 10 credits

Research Component

• Research Project, 60 Credits, NQF Level 09.

1. Exhibit advanced knowledge and critical understanding of public health theories, concepts, and methodologies, and apply this to lead and manage complex health systems and qualifications.
2. Identify, investigate, and critically evaluate complex public health challenges by integrating interdisciplinary approaches and utilising advanced theoretical and empirical evidence.
3. Design, implement, and evaluate context-specific, cost-effective public health interventions that promote equity, prevent disease, and improve health outcomes at the population level.
4. Critically appraise and influence public health policy and health systems, demonstrating a commitment to ethical principles, social justice, and the equitable distribution of health resources.
5. Design and conduct independent research in public health, using appropriate methodologies, and communicate findings as a scientific article or dissertation, contributing to scholarly and professional knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply leadership and strategic planning competencies to complex public health systems and challenges in service delivery.
• Analyse and apply public health theories and models in professional decision-making.
• Outline what the assessment will include: case-based strategic health management tasks, oral presentations, and advanced policy analysis assignments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose multifactorial public health issues using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Formulate evidence-informed, theoretically grounded solutions for real-world problems at local, national, and global levels.
• Outline what the assessment will include: scenario-based assignments, data interpretation exercises, and oral/written policy critiques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply systems thinking and health promotion principles to design community-responsive interventions that promote health and well-being.
• Utilise economic and epidemiological data to inform intervention design and assess its impact.
• Outline what the assessments will include: qualification design reports, simulated grant applications and logic model development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Engage with public health policy debates, apply analytical tools to assess equity, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Demonstrate effective advocacy and communication skills to influence policy decisions and enhance service delivery.
• Outline what the assessments will include: policy briefs, simulated stakeholder engagement exercises, and ethical case analyses.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conduct an ethically sound and methodologically rigorous research study addressing a significant public health issue.
• Analyse data using appropriate techniques, interpret findings in context, and communicate outcomes in a scholarly format.
• Outline what the assessments will include: the submission of a dissertation, a publishable manuscript, and an oral defence of the research.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments in this qualification will include theory and presentation tests, assignments, projects, and examinations. Continuous evaluation will be applied to the identified modules. These assessment modes help integrate learning throughout the year and cover the exit-level outcomes of the qualification.

The qualification provides an integrated assessment of the ELOs designed to ensure that knowledge from various modules is applied to solve public health problems. Cumulative tasks such as research proposals and strategy development plans require learners to draw on multiple modules (Epidemiology, Health Systems and Health Promotion), ensuring that learners demonstrate ELOs throughout the whole research process, from conceptualisation and methodology to analysis and dissemination.

This strategy, adopted by the department, will ensure that no ELO is assessed in isolation but rather in a manner that reflects the interdependence of competencies required in professional public health practice.

Outcomes requiring insight and analysis will be assessed through assignments, which require learners to conceptualise, discuss, evaluate, or critique concepts and techniques of aspects from theory to the solution of a problem.

Formative Assessment: (60% of Total Year Mark)

Formative assessment will contribute 60% to the final mark and will be achieved through assignments, tests, and projects. Three compulsory semester tasks are assigned to learners which count towards the semester mark. These tasks include:

• A test.
• A class presentation.
• An assignment.

The learner must pass all three assessments to obtain a good semester mark. The semester mark must be a minimum, as determined by university standards, and above, for learners to be considered for the final examination.

Summative Assessment: (40% of Total Year Mark)

This is outcome-based and will test the learners' ability to apply integrated knowledge and skills at an advanced level, demonstrating achievement of the ELOs. One 3-hour paper will be written at the semester's end, accounting for the remaining 40% of the course mark.

The summative assessments include

• Written examinations (theory-based and case-based to encourage PBL (Problem-Based Learning).
• Submission and defence of a research dissertation or publishable article.
• Oral assessments and presentations to the Scientific Review Committee/Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
• Structured assignments integrating multiple modules.

This qualification does not include a formal Work Integrated Learning component as defined in vocational qualifications. However, applied learning is achieved through case studies, field-based research, and community-focused interventions. All these are integrated into the coursework and thesis.

The learner must achieve a minimum percentage in the examination, irrespective of the semester mark. If the learner has achieved below the required/minimum in the examination, the learner is granted a fail sub-minimum regardless of the semester marks.

The minimum pass mark for a module shall be 50%. Credits are awarded for each passed module.

Assessment of the research component

The dissertation is examined both internally and externally. A minimum requirement for the pass is 50%.