Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health

The programme will provide people interested in pursuing a career in public health, whether as practitioners, managers or researchers, with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes. The neglect of public health training has contributed to the poor performance of health services in South Africa. This programme will begin to redress the backlog in public health training within the region.

The DPH will enhance the effectiveness of health workers at all levels by providing them with basic skills in the principles and methods of public health.

Applicants for the programme must have

i. At least a three-year Bachelors degree or recognised equivalent.

ii. Adequate writing and numeric skills.

The number of places on the programme is limited. Applicants will be selected by a selection committee on the basis of

• prior work experience
• future career plans
• employer support
• commitment to public health
• academic merit
• addressing representivity

• Understand the social, economic and political context of health and health services;
• Be able to gather and analyse the necessary data to describe the health status of a population;
• Be able to identify and evaluate health risks in the physical, social and psychological environment;
• Be able to use public health principles and methods to address health problems in a population;
• Understand the organisation of health services in South Africa and how to operate effectively within them;
• Understand and interpret published studies on public health problems.

• Demonstrate knowledge of current health policy and legislation;
• Demonstrate the ability to engage with debates on current health policy;
• Demonstrate the ability to answer integrated practical assignments and case studies;
• Demonstrate the ability to apply learning to own work situation;
• Demonstrate an understanding of implications of policy for health managers;
• Demonstrate the ability to understand and evaluate public health studies.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

Integrated assessment will be used for formative and summative assessments. Assignments and examinations will primarily focus on the application of learning to specific problems and contexts rather than the reproduction of theoretical knowledge. Real problems and case studies will be used wherever possible.

Assessment methods will include

• Evaluation of class preparation and participation
• Individual and group written assignments
• Individual and group oral presentations
• Case studies
• Written, practical and oral examinations
• Computer-based examinations