In this section, you will find the official Academic Rules for the Master of Public Health, the qualification structure, assessment schedule, the module descriptions, and a timetable showing when modules will be delivered. The Senior Academic Co-ordinator is Prof Brian van Wyk with Dr Verona Mathews as Co-ordinator of the MPH Coursework modules. The Student Administrators share responsibility for the modules. Dr Hanani Tabana co-ordinates the Mini-thesis.
The 2021 MPH requires you to complete eight 15 credit modules and a 60 credit Mini- thesis over 3 years with a possible 4th year. We strongly encourage working health professionals to consider carefully their pace of study. Taking three modules a semester will be extremely taxing, and equivalent to full-time study which can result in poor results, or dropping modules. Be aware that the mini-thesis seems to take students at least a year from completion of the Public Health Research module; the University rules state that you should complete the Programme in three years. Although discouraged, applications can be made for a 4th year through Senate Higher Degrees Committee. You should however recognise that you will need to free up time in your daily life in order to keep up with your studies. See also sections 5.3 and 10.3.
Assignment deadline dates will be sent to you by the Student Administrators. Where assignment deadlines clash, the Student Administrators will adjust them with you and your lecturers. There are brief descriptions of the modules in section 10.5 and 10.6.
10.1 ACADEMIC RULES FOR THE MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MODE 1
(Note that the information below is a guide only – please consult the official 2019 UWC and CHS Faculty Rule Book)
The MPH consists of:
• six 15 credit Core (compulsory modules),
• two 15 credit Electives
• and a 60 credit Mini-thesis.
Take note of the Core modules you must take (and their nicknames):
• Population Health and Development: A Primary Health Care Approach II (PHD II)
• Measuring Health and Disease - Intermediate Epidemiology (MHD II)
• Management Strategies for the Public Health Services II (HM II)
• Health Promotion for Public Health II (HP II)
• Public Health Research (PHR)
• Qualitative Research Methods (QRM)
or
• Quantitative Research Methods (QnRM)
Refer to Section 10.2 for how to structure your programme per year. You are obliged to take all the Core modules. Those who choose the faster track will take their first Elective in the 2nd semester of year 1.
Below are the official UWC Academic Rules for the MPH under which you would be registering:
ADMISSION
Unless Senate decides otherwise, candidates will be required to meet the following criteria to be enrolled for the programme: Master of Public Health (MPH)
Candidates must be in possession of an Honours degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or equivalent at Level 8 in any relevant discipline.
A minimum of three years working experience in the health or welfare sector is required.
Candidates who do not have credit for a tertiary level course in disease pathogenesis, disease measurement or disease control must take the module, Introducing Public Health: Its Basis and Scope from the PG Diploma in Public Health, and pass an assessment before or during their first semester.
With due regard to rule A.2.1.4, personnel in the health and welfare sector with a minimum of five years of relevant experience in implementing health and welfare policy or planning and managing health and welfare services, may be admitted to the course after assessment of prior learning and experience.
Additional supporting documents may be required by the University from time to time.
SELECTION
As only a limited number of students can be admitted to the programme, applicants will be subject to a selection procedure.
Preference will be given to candidates employed in the health and welfare sector with a minimum of three years of relevant experience.
DURATION
Unless Senate decides otherwise the duration of the programme shall extend over a maximum of three years full-time or part-time. Students must apply to the Senate in order to enroll for a fourth year.
CURRICULUM
| Module Name | Alpha Code | Cred |
| Compulsory | ||
| Group 1 | ||
| Population Health and Development: A Primary Health Care Approach II | SPH855 | 15 |
| Measuring Health and Disease – Intermediate Epidemiology | SPH856 | 15 |
| Management Strategies for the Public Health Services II | SPH857 | 15 |
| Health Promotion for Public Health II | SPH859 | 15 |
| Public Health Research | SPH862 | 15 |
|
Group 2 (select 1 module) |
||
| Qualitative Research Methods | SPH860 | 15 |
| Quantitative Research Methods | SPH861 | 15 |
| Sub total | 90 |
ELECTIVES (Select two)
Students must select two elective modules, either from one of eight groups that affords them a degree of specialization or any two of the electives listed below. With permission from SOPH, students may take modules up to 30 credits from another department provided these are deemed of direct relevance to Public Health and with the approval of the Head of Department of the School of Public Health
| * Electives (NB: CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY OF ELECTIVES UNDER 10.4) | ||
| Group 1 / Health Promotion | ||
| Alcohol Problems: A Health Promotion Approach | SPH863 | 15 |
| Group 2 / Health Research | ||
| Monitoring and Evaluation in Health and Development Programmes | SPH866 | 15 |
| Health Information Systems | SPH878 | 15 |
| Group 3 / Health Information Systems | ||
| Health Information Systems | SPH878 | 15 |
| Group 4/ Nutrition | ||
| Micronutrient Malnutrition | SPH864 | 15 |
| Public Health Nutritional Policy and Programming | SPH870 | 15 |
| Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases | SPH867 | 15 |
| Group 5/ Pharmaceutical Public Health | ||
| Rational Medicines Use | SPH873 | 15 |
| Pharmaceutical Policy and Management | SPH875 | 15 |
| Other Electives | ||
| Globalisation and Health | SPH868 | 15 |
|
Understanding and Analysing Health Policy Introduction to Health Workforce Development |
SPH851 SPH871 |
15 15
|
| Capita Selecta A | SPH853 | 15 |
| Capita Selecta B | SPH854 | 15 |
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| Mini-thesis of 7 500 – 20 000 words | SPH803 | 60 |
| TOTAL | 180 | |
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is governed by Rule A.5 as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
PROGRESS RULES
Students must complete 45 credits by the end of Year 1 (3 Modules).
Students must complete 75 credits by the end of Year 2 (5 Modules).
Registration for the following year of study will be recommended by the supervisor if in his/her opinion adequate progress has been made with the mini-thesis during the current year.
A student must have successfully completed all prescribed modules and obtained a total of 180 credits to complete the degree.
Where the rules governing a curriculum are amended, and Senate does not decide otherwise, a student who registered under the old rules and who has attended the University without interruption, may, unless the amended rules otherwise provide, elect to proceed with his/her studies either in terms of the old rules or in terms of the new rules, provided that:
a) (s)he may not elect to proceed partially in terms of the old and partially in terms of the new rules;
b) (s)he shall be bound by his/her choice; and
c) her/his right to proceed in terms of the old rules, should (s)he so have elected, shall lapse should (s) he fail
to gain sufficient credits to proceed to the following level of study. (Ref A.1.1.3).
RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
The renewal of registration will be governed by the Rule A.4, as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAMME
There are no special requirements for this programme.
10.2 ACADEMIC RULES FOR THE MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MODE 2
(Note that the information below is a guide only – please consult official UWC and CHS Faculty Rule Book)
ADMISSION
Unless Senate decides otherwise, candidates will be required to meet the following criteria to be enrolled for the programme: Master of Public Health (MPH)
An Honours degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or equivalent at Level 8 in any relevant discipline OR completion within the preceding 5 years of Master’s level coursework covering the competencies of the core modules of the UWC MPH degree.
A minimum of five years in the health or welfare sector with relevant experience in implementing policy or planning and managing health or welfare services, including a minimum of three years of significant research or monitoring and evaluation experience.
A tertiary level course in disease pathogenesis, disease measurement or disease control, if the candidates do not have the credit then they have to take the module Introducing Public Health: its Basis and Scope from the PG Diploma in Public Health, and pass an assessment before or during their first semester
Supporting documents as evidence of eligibility.
SELECTION
As only a limited number of students can be admitted to the programme, applicants will be subject to a selection procedure.
Preference will be given to candidates employed in the health and welfare sector with a minimum of five years in the health or welfare sector with relevant experience in implementing policy or planning and managing health or welfare services, including a minimum of three years of significant research or monitoring and evaluation experience.
DURATION
Unless Senate decides otherwise, the duration of the programme shall extend over a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. Students must apply to the Senate in order to enroll for a fourth year.
CURRICULUM
Students must select a topic and design and complete a research project that is situated within the scope of topics and approaches covered in the Areas of Specialization (listed in Table 1) offered at the school. Students may choose to enroll for these modules for non-degree purposes in order to strengthen their own personal development. With permission from SOPH, students may apply the content and approach of other disciplines to their thesis project, provided these are deemed of direct relevance to Public Health.
| Module Name | Alpha Code | Cred | |
|
Mode 1 1st Enrolment Code |
|||
|
MPH Full Thesis 805 2nd Enrolment Code |
SPH805 |
180 |
|
| MPH Full Thesis 806 | SPH806 | ||
| TOTAL | 180 |
Table 1: Areas of Specialization within the School of Public Health
|
1. Population Health and Development: A Primary Health Care Approach II 2. Measuring Health and Disease - Intermediate Epidemiology 3. Management Strategies for the Public Health Services II 4. Managing and Supporting Health Workers 5. Health Promotion for Public Health II 6. Qualitative Research Methods 7. Quantitative Research Methods 8. Public Health Research |
|
Health Promotion 9. Health Promoting Schools 10. Alcohol Problems: A Health Promotion Approach 11. Health Promoting Settings |
|
Health Research 12. Monitoring and Evaluation in Health and Development Programmes |
|
Health Information Systems 13. Health Information Systems |
|
Human Resources Development 14. Introduction to Health Workforce Development 15.. Evidence-based Human Resource Planning |
|
Nutrition 16. Public Health Nutrition: Policy and Programming 17. Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases Pharmaceutical Public Health 18. Rational Medicines Use 19. Medicines Supply Management |
|
Other 20. Globalisation and Health 21. Understanding and Analysing Health Policy
|
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is governed by Rule A.5 as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
PROGRESS RULES
Students must have submitted an approved research proposal to Senate Higher Degrees by the end of Year 1.
Students must complete data collection by the end of Year 2.
Registration for the following year of study will be recommended by the supervisor if in his/her opinion adequate progress has been made with the thesis during the current year.
A student must have successfully completed a Masters research thesis and obtained a total of 180 credits to complete the degree.
RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
The renewal of registration will be governed by the Rule A.4, as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAMME
There are no special requirements for this programme.
