Master of Public Health
Purpose:
Source: SAQA official qualification record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Master's Degree
Credits
180
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of Witwatersrand
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services
Subfield
Rehabilitative Health/Services
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-06-30
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Public Health qualification is to meet the need in the country and the continent for professionals with expertise in public health to address the quadruple burden of disease, including communicable, non-communicable, injury and violence, and maternal and child health. To address the needs, we need to strengthen health systems, address the skills gaps in use of evidence for decision-making, programme planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. This qualification strives to produce future public health leaders with competence in at least one discipline in public health.
Upon completion of this qualification, the qualifying learner will practice as a competent and independent thinker to contribute to achieving health equity and using evidence to address public health problems in South Africa and countries in west, east and southern Africa. The qualifying learner will be able to progress within a discipline in public health with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to function as a manager and to advance to doctoral studies in public health. Learners will be equipped with insights into the social determinants of health and how these contribute to health inequities. They will value working as part of an interdisciplinary team. Learners will offer skills in conceptualising and implementing research as well as planning and implementation skills within a discipline of public health.
Rationale
The rationale behind the qualification is to develop public health practitioners, managers and researchers with an in-depth knowledge and expert skills in line with Sustainable Development Goals as guided by the World Health Organization. Knowledge and skills will address health systems strengthening, increase capacity for human resources for health, health economics, social and behaviour change, environmental and occupational exposures that harm human health and / or maternal and child health. Skills in conducting a situation analysis, prioritising, planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programmes would contribute to a strengthened health system and increased capacity in nongovernmental organisations and private sector to design effective programmes. This has the potential to prevent and promote health and reduce the burden of disease.
There is a need to improve capacity to analyse the social determinants of health to address the drivers of health inequities at both structural as well as in the working and living environment. Using evidence to design effective programmes in different disciplines of public health is essential. The qualification will address the capacity gaps and enhance knowledge and skills of practitioners, managers and researchers within at least one discipline of public health thereby addressing the health needs and enhancing the assets of communities and ultimately reducing the burden of disease.
The qualification will contribute to the career progression of public health practitioners within the core disciplines of public health through strengthened critical analytical skills and the ability to apply knowledge and skills to practice. The qualifying learner will also be able to proceed to Doctoral studies.
Entry requirements and RPL
Recognition Of Prior Learning (RPL)
Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits, or exemption from modules towards the qualification.
RPL for access
- To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.
RPL for exemption of modules
- Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is
- Bachelor of Dental Science, NQF Level 8.
Or
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
Or
- Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 8;
Or
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 8;
Or
- Bachelor of Pharmacy, NQF Level 8;
Or
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, NQF Level 8;
Or
- Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8;
Or
- Bachelor of Science Honours, NQF Level 8.
Replacement note
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 360 Credits.
Select one Specialisation from the following Fields.
Field of Exposure and Health
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 360 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Health Measurement II,15 credits
- Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health,15 credits
- Research Methods,15 credits
- Exposure Induced Health Outcome,15 credits
- Exposure Science I,15 credits
- Fundamentals of Risk Assessment,15 credits
- Exposure Control I,15 credits
- Risk and Safety Management: Systems and Programmes,15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
Or
Field of Health Economics
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 360 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Health Measurement II,15 credits
- Introduction to Health Economics, 15 credits
- Management in Health and Health Services, 15 credits
- Research Methods, 15 credits
- Health Care Financing, 15 credits
- Economics of Health Care, 15 credits
- Economic Evaluation, 15 credits
- Decision Analysis for Economic Evaluation, 15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
Or
Field of Health Systems and Policy
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 240 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
And
Elective module, NQF Level 9, 120 credits (Select any eight modules)
- Child Health I, 15 credits
- Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Substances, 15 credits
- Health Care Financing, 15 credits
- Health Measurement II, 15 credits
- Health Policy and Policy Analysis, 15 credits
- Health Services and Health Systems Research, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Finance, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Personnel, 15 credits
- Health Systems Evaluation and Research, 15 credits
- Health Systems Organisation and Human Resources, 15 credits
- HIV/AIDS and Health Systems, 15 credits
- Institutional, Corporate and Hospital Management, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Economics, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Promotion, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Systems, 15 credits
- Introduction to Management Theory and Practice, 15 credits
- Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Management in Health and Health Services, 15 credits
- Occupational and Environmental Health I, 15 credits
- Planning and Implementing Social and Behaviour Change Communication, 15 credits
- Principles of Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Project Management for Public Health Practitioners, 15 credits
- Quality Assurance in Health Care, 15 credits
- Research Methods, 15 credits
- Resources, Facilities and Logistics, 15 credits
- The Rural Health Care Context, 15 credits
Or
Field of Occupational Hygiene
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 360 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
- Health Measurement II,15 credits
- Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health,15 credits
- Research Methods,15 credits
- Exposure Induced Health Outcome,15 credits
- Exposure Science I,15 credits
- Fundamentals of Risk Assessment,15 credits
- Measurement of Hazardous Substances, 15 credits
- Control of Workplace Hazards, 15 credits
- Research Methods, 15 credits
Or
Field of Maternal and Child Health
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 240 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
And
Elective module, NQF Level 9, 120 credits (Select any eight modules)
- A Public Health approach to Perinatal and Paediatric HIV, 15 credits
- Adolescent Health, 15 credits
- Child Health I, 15 credits
- Child Health II, 15 credits
- Community-Oriented Primary Care, 15 credits
- Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Substances, 15 credits
- Health Measurement II, 15 credits
- Health Policy and Policy Analysis, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Finance, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Personnel, 15 credits
- Health Systems Evaluation and Research, 15 credits
- Health Systems Organisation and Human Resources, 15 credits
- Institutional, Corporate and Hospital Management, 15 credits
- Introduction to Bio-Ethics, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Promotion, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Systems, 15 credits
- Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Management in Health and Health Services, 15 credits
- Maternal and Child Nutrition, 15 credits
- Maternal Health, 15 credits
- Occupational and Environmental Health I, 15 credits
- Planning and Implementing Social and Behaviour Change Communication, 15 credits
- Principles of Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Research Methods, 15 credits
- Resources, Facilities and Logistics, 15 credits
- The Rural Health Care Context, 15 credits
- Quality Improvement in Rural Health Care, 15 credits
- Development of Rural Health Services: Strategies and Approaches, 15 credits
Or
Field of Rural Health
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 240 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
And
Elective module, NQF Level 9, 120 credits (Select any eight modules)
- Child Health I, 15 credits
- Community-Oriented Primary Care, 15 credits
- Development of Rural Health Services: Strategies and Approaches, 15 credits
- Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Substances, 15 credits
- Health Measurement II, 15 credits
- Health Policy and Policy Analysis, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Finance, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Personnel, 15 credits
- Health Systems Evaluation and Research, 15 credits
- Health Systems Organisation and Human Resources, 15 credits
- Institutional, Corporate and Hospital Management, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Promotion, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Systems, 15 credits
- Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Management in Health and Health Services, 15 credits
- Management of District Hospitals, 15 credits
- Occupational and Environmental Health I, 15 credits
- Planning and Implementing Social and Behaviour Change Communication, 15 credits
- Principles of Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Quality Improvement in Rural Health Care, 15 credits
- Research Methods, 15 credits
- Resources, Facilities and Logistics, 15 credits
- The Health of Rural People - Epidemiology and Burden of Disease, 15 credits
- The Rural Health Care Context, 15 credits
Or
Field of Social and Behaviour Change Communication
Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 240 Credits
- Orientation to Public Health, 0 credits
- Health Measurement I,15 credits
- Health and Society,15 credits
- Approaches to Population Health,15 credits
- Designing Effective Public Health Programs,15 credits
- Research Report, 180 credits
And
Elective module, NQF Level 9, 120 Credits (Select any eight modules)
- Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Substances, 15 credits
- Occupational and Environmental Health I, 15 credits
- Health Measurement II, 15 credits
- Planning and Implementing Social and Behaviour Change Communication, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Systems, 15 credits
- Child Health I, 15 credits
- Management in Health and Health Services, 15 credits
- The Rural Health Care Context, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Finance, 15 credits
- Health Services Management: Personnel, 15 credits
- Institutional, Corporate and Hospital Management, 15 credits
- Resources, Facilities and Logistics, 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Promotion, 15 credits
- Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Principles of Environmental Health, 15 credits
- Research Methods, 15 credits
- Applying Social and Behaviour Change Theory to Practice, 15 credits
- Social and Behaviour Change Communication Approaches, 15 credits
- Communication, Media and Society, 15 credits
- Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, 15 credits
- Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, 15 credits
- Advocacy Skills for Promoting Equity, 15 credits
- Sexual and Reproductive Rights and International and National Legislation, 15 credits
- Strategies in Health Promotion, 15 credits.
Exit level outcomes
- Demonstrate competence in public health skills at the advanced level
- Evaluate, teach, and implement research findings in the practice of public health.
- Apply ethical, compassionate, and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of public health practice in relation to the care of populations and the organisation and management of health services.
- Assess the principles and practice of public health from the basic to an advanced level, and can develop capacity in others.
- Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations, and evaluate her or his own progress.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge
- Communicate efficiently and effectively with health service managers, health care workers, people in related sectors, and the community.
- Use of relevant technology (e.g., statistical or managerial software packages) for public health research and practice
- Incorporate his or her understanding of the social and economic determinants of health in practice
- Apply measurement (including epidemiology) and management skills to health service organizations, and in environmental and occupational health and primary health care programmes
- Apply measurement skills (including epidemiology) to investigate the determinants of ill health, to develop health promotion programmes, and to evaluate health service functioning and health care programmes.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Show research mastery through the production of a research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results, and draw conclusions
- Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal, and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession
- Practice Evidence-Based Public Health by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applying it in practice
- Guide junior colleagues who are studying or working in the same area
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language, and culture.
- Consult those who are more appropriately qualified than he or she, when necessary.
- Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal, and ethical responsibilities involved in the advancement of the health of populations
- Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health
- Strive to improve quality of care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society, and use his or her professional capabilities to contribute to community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practice of public health.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Teach other professionals, through public health practice at an advanced level, the application of knowledge
- Communicate this knowledge to develop capacity in more junior colleagues in the field.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a public health practitioner and as a responsible citizen
- Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development to keep up to date with new developments and meet statutory CPD requirements where relevant
- Identify personal limitations and develop the capacity of self-audit and participate in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis through evaluation of performance in public health practice. Further, the research report that the learner submits is used in the integrated assessment of research mastery.
In order to promote, monitor, and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This section specifies with which other qualifications of the University the qualification was designed to articulate, i.e. formal articulation; therefore the qualification can articulate informally with equivalent qualifications offered by the University, or with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally.
Further, an applicant registered at the University or another higher education institution for a similar qualification and who has successfully and satisfactorily completed the first half or less of the qualification, may be able to complete the qualification at the University, and may be granted credit for similar courses already completed.
Entry to the qualification
At entry level, an applicant holds a university qualification in one of the health sciences, social sciences or related fields at the minimum of the NQF Level 7 qualification or an equivalent recognised by the Senate.
Articulation during the qualification
- The learner may successfully complete the coursework components (Part I and Part II) of the MPH but not complete the research report. In this case the learner may convert to the Diploma in Public Health (DPH) and exit with this qualification. (This will take effect in 2001).
- The learner may successfully complete Part I of the MPH but not complete Part II or the research report. In this case the learner may exit with a certificate of competence awarded by the University. (This will take effect in 2001)
On completion of the qualification
- Qualifying learners may proceed to doctoral level, usually to the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD), but an MPH is not a prerequisite for entry to the PhD.
International comparability
This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.
Country: Uganda
Institution: Makerere University
Qualification: Master's in Public Health
Similarities
Makerere University (MK) qualification was selected because the duration of the qualification is similar to the South African (SA) qualification (2 years full-time).
There are similarities between the exit level outcomes, especially in the field of Health Systems and Policy in the SA qualification. For example, the MPH at Makerere aims to train leaders and managers with the capacity and skills to meet the demands arising from the decentralisation policy as a model of health service planning and delivery.
Both qualifications aim to strengthen capacity in public health research. In terms of the delivery of the programme, there is a combination of coursework and research with some opportunities to develop expertise within fields of study.
Differences
There are several differences as well. For example, the University of the Witwatersrand MPH offers six different fields of specialisation in Health Economics, Health Systems and Policy, Exposure and Health, Social and Behaviour Change, and Maternal and Child Health. Each of the fields of study has four or five field-specific modules. At Makerere, there are single courses in some fields e.g., health economics.
There is no equivalent field of study in social and behaviour change. A unique feature of the Makerere MPH is the practical field placements working with a public health team at the district, municipality, at national level.
The SA qualification prioritises selecting learners working in their chosen discipline. As a result, learners are encouraged to apply skills and knowledge in their workplaces. The weighting of credits clearly differs between the two institutions, with the Makerere MPH having 61 Credit Units as compared with the 240 credits at the University of the Witwatersrand. Yet the duration of the qualification suggests that there is similarity between the credits. The research component of the Makerere qualification is 9 CU out of 61, which suggests a weighting of 7% whereas the SA qualification is weighted 50% of the qualification.
Country: Scotland
Institution: University of Edinburgh (UoE)
Qualification: Master's in Public Health
Similarities
There are similarities in the courses offered, and their training covers a broad range of disciplines. The University of Edinburgh (UE) qualification has 180 credits compared with the 240 credits of the University of the. There is a fully online option at the University of Edinburgh as well as an in-person, on-campus option. Like the SA qualification, the UoE MPH aims to build leadership and communication skills needed to shape health outcomes and solve pressing public health challenges. There are 120 credits for coursework, which is the same as the SA qualification, with seven core courses (compared to the three at the SA qualification and learners select from 8 elective courses. The emphasis of the coursework is on research courses, with required epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as qualitative research methods and systematic reviews, making up core requirements. The SA qualification integrates some of these research components into our Health Measurement I and Research Report I.
Differences
While UoE has some courses that cover the disciplines of public health, learners can't specialise to the extent they can at the SA qualification. For example, there is an introduction to health economics and resource allocation, but learners would not be able to develop in-depth skills in economic evaluation and health economics as they can at the SA qualification. The research dissertation at UoE is 60 credits (weighted 33% as compared to 50% at the SA qualification ). Projects that are typical at UoE include: a data analysis (quantitative) project, a qualitative project, or a systematic review. The SA qualification has similar projects, but it is common for learners to conduct fieldwork, and the scope of projects is larger than that of the UoE. The final dissertation at UoE is a maximum of 12,000 words, including bibliography, excluding appendices, which is shorter than a typical research report submitted at the SA qualification, which would range between 15,000 and 25,000 words.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.
NOTES
N/A
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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