Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is to enable learners to develop knowledge and skills necessary to advance public health knowledge to respond to national and international needs in an innovative, ethical and professional manner. The qualification will also introduce learners to the various steps of public health research, to equip and prepare them for advance Postgraduate studies in the field of public health. The qualification will train public health professionals to possess graduate-level scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work independently to advance public health knowledge to provide public health solutions nationally and beyond.

The qualification enables the learner to gain knowledge and skills regarding public health issues and challenges and to use health promotion; the health education approaches to contribute towards disease prevention and control.

Rationale

The target audience of the qualification is people who have a health care background and work in relevant public health platforms, including public and private health care institutions, community-based organisations, and government health and social sectors.

The Human Resources Strategy of the National Department of Health requires an increase in trained professionals in Public Health and health promotion. Specific training in health promotion is a natural offering in most Schools of Public Health, and this is lacking in South Africa. The qualification will, therefore, put South Africa a step ahead and will contribute to the re-engineering of Primary Health Care in the country.

Thus, the qualification will provide learners with skills and knowledge to work in settings ranging from communities, public and private institutions and civil society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning is through the University's policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Social Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Psychology, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 8,120 Credits

• MPBA600, 40 Credits.
• MPBD601, 16 Credits.
• MPBE601, 16 Credits.
• MPBB602, 16 Credits.
• MPBC602, 16 Credits.
• MPBF602, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a grounding in the fundamentals of public health with knowledge and skill in research methods and evaluation, health systems, population health measurement, and environmental health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify and formulate practical applications of the research results.
• Critically evaluate the results of a research study and be able to translate them into appropriate and feasible recommendations.

Integrated Assessment

The use of the formative and summative assessment strategies ensures that Exit Level Outcomes are achievable.

Assessment of modules is through both formative and summative assessment.

The formative assessment consists of

• Ten weekly lessons that count 70% towards the semester mark.
• Two individual written assignments that count to 30% towards the semester mark.
• The department and document determine the weighting of each assessment opportunity as assessment criteria.
• Formative assessments are weekly.
• Learners need a minimum year mark of 40% to enter to examinations.

The summative assessment consists of

• A five-hour examination.
• The ratio of the formative versus summative assessment is 60 to 40.
• Written examinations.