Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health

• To contribute to the transformation of the health sector, from a curative, hospital-based service to a quality, comprehensive, community-based system, through developing and strengthening public health practice.
• To enhance the capacity of people working in the health field to enable them to act as change agents in the health system and to promote health and prevent disease.
• To provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in health or related sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Occupational Health, NQF Level 7.

Learning, problem analysis and problem-solving, critical reflection, independent learning and peer learning, formative and summative evaluation and the development of academic learning, skills:

1. Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
2. Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
3. Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
4. Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
5. Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.
6. Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
7. Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
8. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
9. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
10. Being culturally sensitive across a range of social contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Describe the origins, fundamental principles and concepts of the Primary Health Care and Public Health approaches and their application.
• Identify and analyse priority problems in Primary Health Care and Public Health.
• Describe the origins, basic tenets, concepts and application of Health Promotion.
• Describe and apply basic management and planning concepts relevant to health promotion activities at a district level.
• Define and describe common, basic epidemiological terms and concepts.
• Use a conceptual framework for the systematic identification and description of community health status.
• Define and describe health systems research and its uses.
• Produce academic texts required at this level, including notes, graphical presentations, reports and assignments.
• Apply basic research concepts and methods to carry out small research tasks, with some guidance (e.g. simple epidemiological tasks, produce a research protocol, use a planning cycle).

Integrated assessment

In this qualification progress in each of the modules is individually monitored and evaluated on the basis of continual assessment in the form of assignments, research projects, and examinations. Classroom work, overall performance, and progress in practice education is treated as a comprehensive whole, so that the assessment and evaluation might be as holistic as possible.