Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion aims to equip qualifying learners with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and critical competencies required to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive health promotion qualifications across diverse settings.

Qualifying learners will demonstrate the ability to critically analyse the multifaceted relationships between social determinants of health and disease. They will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to health policy development, engage in informed advocacy, and apply ethical, evidence-based strategies to enhance population health outcomes.

The qualification promotes the development of reflective practitioners who can engage in multidisciplinary approaches, respond to contemporary health challenges, and lead transformative change in communities, health systems and policy environments. It also prepares learners for further academic progression into Master's level qualifications in public health or related disciplines.

Through a blend of exposures to real-world applications, qualifying graduates will be able to

• Design and implement community-based health interventions
• Conduct health needs assessments
• Engage and mobilise communities
• Advocate for health policy and system change
• Evaluate the impact of health promotion programs

This qualification's purpose directly informs the qualification's exit level outcomes, listed below, articulating the advanced knowledge, practical skills, and critical competencies this qualification is developing.

The exit level outcomes of the qualification are as follows

• Exhibit advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the determinants of health and the interrelationship between health, disease and development using a multidisciplinary approach.
• Design, implement and evaluate community-based health promotion interventions that address priority public health challenges, emphasising physical and mental health.
• Contribute to and influence health policy development through stakeholder consultation, advocacy and strategic communication.
• Apply research skills to investigate health promotion challenges and contribute to evidence-based decision making
• Validate professional and ethical practice in planning and delivery of health promotion initiatives across diverse cultural and social contexts.

Several graduate attributes are developed throughout the above outcomes and the silent curriculum, which prepare qualifying learners to operate effectively within the health promotion ecosystem, access further academic development opportunities, and contribute to society, fulfilling the broader purpose of the qualification.

Graduate attributes

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to design and deliver health education and promotion materials.
• Skills in needs assessment, health program planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Project management, stakeholder engagement, and community mobilisation.
• Commitment to social justice and equity in health.

Rationale

The increasing burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and persistent health inequities in South Africa and globally necessitate a competent health promotion workforce capable of addressing social determinants of health and influencing behavioural and environmental change. This Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion responds to this need by producing graduates with specialised knowledge and practical competencies to design, implement and evaluate health promotion strategies at local, provincial and national levels.

This qualification was developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including the National Department of Health, Eastern Cape Department of Health, and non-governmental organisations actively promoting health. The qualification is aligned to the reengineering of Primary Health Care and the ideals of the National Development Plan 2030.

The qualification targets qualifying learners with a background in Health Promotion, Public Health, Education, Social Work, Psychology and other related disciplines who wish to advance their careers in community health, policy development, qualification planning and public health advocacy. Graduates will be employable in government health departments, non-profit organisations, research institutions and international health agencies.

This qualification also follows an academic pathway in which qualifying learners are prepared to pursue further studies at Master's level, particularly in Public Health and Health Promotion.

This qualification contributes to its transformation goals as part of Walter Sisulu University's commitment to producing socially responsive and community-oriented graduates. It aligns with its strategic mission of improving health outcomes in underserved and rural populations. Professionals developed from this qualification will lead health promotion initiatives, leading to improved health outcomes and better health literacy, thereby benefiting students, society and the broader economy

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution is committed to access and equity in higher education and recognises the value of learning acquired outside formal academic structures. In line with WSU's institutional RPL policy, which is aligned to the national Policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning and the CHE RPL Guidelines, this qualification allows for the recognition of prior learning.

RPL for access

Applicants who do not meet the formal admission requirements but can demonstrate relevant workplace learning, informal learning or experience in health promotion or related fields may be considered for entry through the RPL process.

• Submit a detailed Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating competencies relevant to NQF Level 7 outcomes.
• Undergo an RPL assessment

RPL for Credits

Learners who are admitted into the qualification may also apply for module exemptions or credit recognition by submitting:

• Certified documentation of prior studies, training, or experiential learning
• Demonstrate equivalence in terms of learning outcomes and academic rigour
• Will undergo an evaluation process that includes interviews to determine the suitability of the exemption.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotion or a cognate qualification, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant domain, e.g., Humanities, Education, Social Work, etc. ,NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 8, 80 Credits

• Epidemiology, Biostatistics 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.
• Health Promoting Schools, 16 Credits.

Electives Modules at NQF Level 8, 16 Credits (Choose one module).

• Policy Development in Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
• Exercise and Sport Science in Health Promotion, 16 Credits.

1. Exhibit advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the determinants of health and the interrelationship between health, disease and development using a multidisciplinary approach.
2. Design, implement and evaluate community-based health promotion interventions that address priority public health challenges, emphasising physical and mental health.
3. Contribute to and influence health policy development through stakeholder consultation, advocacy and strategic communication.
4. Apply research skills to investigate health promotion challenges and contribute to evidence-based decision making
5. Validate professional and ethical practice in planning and delivery of health promotion initiatives across diverse cultural and social contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically analyse and apply theories of health and disease prevention.
• Evaluate contemporary health issues within a developmental context.
• Apply integrated multidisciplinary perspectives in written assignments, presentations, or case study evaluations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Formulate context-specific health promotion strategies.
• Apply evidence-based methods to assess the effectiveness of health promotion interventions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions using appropriate indicators and the ability to reflect on areas for improvement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Conduct stakeholder consultations and focus group engagements.
• Draft and critique of health promotion policies and strategic plans.
• Demonstrate through a policy-making process an analysis of real-world case studies or simulated consultations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Formulate relevant research questions and select appropriate qualitative or quantitative methods.
• Analyse data and present findings that inform health promotion practice.
• Write a research report that meets academic and professional standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify and address ethical issues related to health promotion, especially in vulnerable populations or similar settings.
• Critically reflect on one's values and biases and their impact on working with diverse populations.
• Apply cultural competence, inclusivity, and respect principles to community engagement activities.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Assessment is structured to measure achievement of the exit level outcomes in an integrated way through a combination of formative and summative assessments. Assessments are designed to develop and test learners' ability to apply knowledge, analyse complex problems and demonstrate critical thinking in health promotion practice.

Formative Assessment: (60% of Total Year Mark)

For providing ongoing feedback, methods include

• Assignments
• Group work
• Presentations
• Tests

Summative Assessment: (40% of Total Year Mark)

To evaluate overall competence at the end of the learning modules. Summative assessments are in the form of a final examination. Question papers are set in the department by an internal examiner and moderated by internal and external examiners. A comprehensive research report is also necessary.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)

This is not a requirement for this qualification. Students engage in community-based project work, which simulates real-world health promotion practice.