Master of Science in Health Promotion

Purpose

With the increased attention on influencing healthy behaviours and preventing the occurrence of illness among individuals and communities, the necessity for qualified health education and promotion specialists has also increased. The Master of Science in Health Promotion seeks to produce health professionals empowered to address a wide range of public health concerns attributed to lifestyle and environment. The qualification will prepare learners for careers that allow them for a better contribution towards safe, motivating and pleasurable working and living conditions for communities.

The qualification prepares learners in attaining higher scientific knowledge and research skills to empower people to have the ability to have control over and improve their health. Learners will study the foundations and principles of public health; how to assess health and wellbeing needs, how to plan, implement and evaluate health promotion programmes; settings for health promotion; epidemiology and research methods, policy development and health-promoting sports sciences.

The qualifying learner should be able to

• Work with individuals, groups and communities in the prevention of diseases affecting them, focusing mainly on behavioural and environmental adaptation.
• Work with people to assess community needs, plan, design, implement and evaluate health promotion programmes in the communities.
• Conduct health promotion activities at the Primary Health Care level.
• Empower communities to enhance community development and promote health through advocacy, mediation and enablement.
• Conduct independent scientific research to contribute to the body of evidence and applied health care for the field.
• Conduct health promotion programmes towards action on the causes or determinants of health to ensure that the total environment which is beyond the control of individuals is conducive to health.
• Combine diverse but complementary methods and approaches including communication, education, legislation, fiscal measures, organisational change, community development and spontaneous local activities against health hazards.
• Work in partnership with relevant stakeholders across many professions and sectors, government, non-governmental organisations for the attainment of better health for all.

Rationale

Learners will have the opportunity to make a broad impact on public health through programmes, strategy, policy and research. The qualification will prepare learners for careers that allow them for a better contribution towards safe, motivating and pleasurable working and living conditions for communities. Health promotion is in a way that when people know more about their health, they would value it better and as such increase control over determinants. With improved control in health determinants, fewer people would acquire diseases which would allow for better implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI). Primary prevention of diseases results in better health outcomes for populations. This qualification will provide specialised skills in disease prevention both at national and international levels.

This qualification will focus exclusively on the field of Health Promotion in the Republic of South Africa. The qualification will lead to involvement in research and policy developments. Learners will be individuals with Health Promotion background and those with health-related backgrounds, with interest in disease prevention and promotion of health. The qualification aligns to the National Qualification Framework as a professional discipline. The qualifying learners of this qualification can work within a wide range of settings to promote healthy lifestyles thus improving the quality of life and life expectancy. Health Promotion impact can be realised through these settings, but are not limited to:

• Government/state departments.
• Non-profit organisations.
• Community health agencies.
• Schools and universities.
• Businesses and corporations.
• Faith-based organisations.
• Hospitals, clinics and other health facilities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners with Diploma in Health Promotion qualifications and Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from recognised institutions are considered after submission of a portfolio of evidence and application through the institution's procedures and policies guiding the Recognition of Prior Learning. Learners would be required to do all Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion modules in the first year and after completion would proceed with the Master of Science in Health Promotion modules after that.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion, NQF Level 8.

Or

• An Honours Degree/qualification in a health-related field, NQF Level 8.

Or

• An Honours Degree in social sciences and humanities, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 240 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 192 Credits

• Methods and Strategies in Health Promotion, 16 Credits
• Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Research, 16 Credits.
• Contemporary Issues in Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
• The Social Context of Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
• The Psychological Basis of Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
• Health Promotion Project, 32 Credits.
• Research, 80 Credits.

Elective Modules (any three), 48 Credits.

• Health Promotion in the Community, 16 Credits.
• Health Promotion in the Work Place, 16 Credits.
• Health Promotion in Service Settings, 16 Credits.
• Policy Development in Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
• Physical Activity and Health, 16 Credits.

1. Comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of health (upstream and downstream).
2. Applicable understanding of interpersonal and organisational health behaviour.
3. Empower learners to plan health promotion interventions, including public health policy and legislation, and global health agenda.
4. A developed cadre of professionals adequately capacitated to perform at the level of multiple agencies to influence health outcomes through the application of health promotion strategies.
5. Develop skills in the following of processes and strategies involved in the development of health promotion interventions.
6. Develop culturally tailored health education programs and communication using health behaviour theories and models.
7. Improved understanding and expertise in conducting evaluations of a broad range of health campaigns and the impact of legislation.
8. Improved expertise and skills in designing, conducting and reporting on health promotion research projects aimed at informing interventions
9. Utilise best practices of health communication to promote and advocate for individual and population health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate understanding in planning for health interventions in areas like education, income level, environment, and others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate an understanding within a person on how they perceive their behavioural style and at the same time how others perceive it.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse policies and legislations that provide for the promotion of health in areas of physical activity, smoking, disease prevention, ventilation, HIV and AIDS.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Show the ability to influence the success of programmes through expanded access to higher-quality health services and by leveraging capital, managerial capacity, and knowhow.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Design a relevant population-based health promotion intervention is an on-going challenge for programme planners in public health settings.
• Develop a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy to address the community health needs prioritising improving community health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply full range behaviour change models and theories in line with population needs and challenges.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Discuss the regular monitoring and evaluation strategies that strengthen the impact of learner campaigns.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Design a health promotion and prevention that requires a series of rigorously planned research programs for success, which includes a review of risk and protective factors, associated with specific ill-health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate increased population knowledge and awareness of various health issues while influencing health behaviours and attitudes towards such health issues.
• Demonstrate how healthy practices influence changes to public health outcomes and advocate for a position on a health issue or policy.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will be formative and summative. Each module will be assessed and needs to be passed, separately.

Seminars, assignments and tests are conducted periodically and evaluated as "continuous assessment". The institution provides feedback to improve the quality of presentations and where necessary additional tools of learning are applied.

Assessment will be formative and summative. Each module will be assessed and needs to be passed, separately.

The computation of the final mark for the modules will follow the university rules (60% from continuous assessment and 40% from exams). A minimum of 50% of final marks is required to pass.

A panel will evaluate the research project as per the institution's general rules.