Master of Public Health MPH

Program Overview

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Master of Public Health MPH

Overview

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Teesside University is designed to address contemporary public health challenges and social health issues. Students explore localised and global health problems, analysing the political and environmental determinants that create these epidemiological and social health dilemmas.

Course Details

Core Modules

• Data Analysis Methods: This module provides an understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis employed in public health research.
• Developing Research Projects: Students develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation projects relevant to their practice.
• Dissertation: Students consolidate and develop further skills and knowledge from previous modules, applying their research-related knowledge to identify a researchable problem, plan and execute a study.
• Epidemiology: This module explores the role of epidemiology in understanding health and disease, policy development, and service provision.
• International Public Health: Students examine the key public health principles and factors that contribute to an international public health discipline, developing a good understanding of the public health spectrum.
• Leadership and Management in Public Health: This module provides a detailed understanding of the role of public health leadership and management in improving population and community health.
• Public Health in Context: This module enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the context of public health.

Assessment

Students are assessed through a range of methods, including written reports and essays, defended poster, case study, research proposals, and a dissertation.

Learning

Students learn through face-to-face lectures, seminars, group activities, and computer-based workshops. Individual tutorial support is available throughout the course.

Entry Requirements

• An honours degree (2.2 and above) or equivalent in a subject related to social sciences, health and health sciences, life sciences, or public health.
• Applicants whose first language is not English will need to satisfy the English language requirements, which are a minimum overall score of 6.5 IELTS and minimum 5.5 in each band, or equivalent as set out in the Teesside English Language Policy.

Employability

Successful completion of this program provides opportunities for career progression for those already working in public health and opportunities for others to embark on a career in the field. It also serves as preparation for those wishing to take the Faculty of Public Health Part A examination.

Fees

Full-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £7,710 a year
• Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year
• Length: September enrolment: 1 year. January enrolment: 17 months, including a summer break. May enrolment: 1 year.
• Start date: January, May or September

Part-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £855 for each 20 credits, £7,695 in total
• Length: 2 years
• Start date: January or September

Why Choose Teesside?

• Stand out from other job applicants with your higher level qualification, specialist knowledge, and expanded networks.
• Improve your project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills, and teamwork.
• The median salary for working-age postgraduates (£45,000) was £6,500 more than for working-age (those aged 16 to 64) graduates (£38,500) in 2022.
• Study in our friendly town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment.
• Study at Europe's first Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills.

Program Outline

Course details

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Course structure

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Core modules

Data Analysis Methods

This module provides you with an understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis employed in public health research. The content covers both theoretical and practical aspects of data analysis, ranging from basic exploratory analysis to more complex multi-variable analysis.

Developing Research Projects

Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation. You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.

You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.

Dissertation

Here you consolidate and develop further skills and knowledge from previous modules. More specifically you synthesise learning as you apply your research-related knowledge to identify a researchable problem, plan and execute a study. You use a range of different methodologies for your study, such as quantitative, qualitative or systematic review.

Epidemiology

You explore the role of epidemiology in the understanding of health and disease, policy development and service provision. The module includes an introduction to the basic principles of epidemiology and the most commonly used research methods. Emphasis is placed on the strengths and weaknesses of various study designs with regard to confounding, bias and validity. You review measures of disease occurrence, and sources of routinely collected data. Key concepts in epidemiological methodology are explored, and you develop skills in the evaluation of epidemiological research.

International Public Health

You examine the key public health principles and factors that contribute to an international public health discipline and develop a good understanding of the public health spectrum. These key principles include an in-depth examination of global health, exploring health and health inequalities globally, taking into account international health systems and economies as well as the key public health principles such as health protection, disease notification, collaborative working and management of major public health incidents nationally and globally. Specific areas covered include:

• globalisation and the impact on international public health policy

• communication in public health

• principles of global health

• cultures and society

• health protection

• overview of molecular biology of disease

• environmental health

• health economics.

Leadership and Management in Public Health

You are provided with a detailed understanding of the role of public health leadership and management in improving population and community health. You critically explore key strategic drivers, collaborative working for health and wellbeing outcomes; as well as critical professional reflection and ethical conduct in leadership. You are supported in cultivating leadership and management skills and knowledge. This module is ideal for those who are existing, emerging leaders or aspire to be future leaders in public health, as well as those working in a health and social care context or those wanting to gain knowledge and understanding of the role of leadership and the strategic challenges related to public health practice. Specific areas covered include:

• types of leadership: styles and theory

• resource allocation in health care

• using health data to inform strategic direction

• use of an ethical framework in decision making/priority setting

• evaluating public health interventions

• organisational culture

• public health law

• how to use reflection for continued professional development

• report writing.

Public Health in Context

This module is designed to enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the context of public health. It is aimed at students who have a role or partial role in public health, or are wishing to move into the field.

Modules offered may vary.

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How you learn

You can learn through online distance learning or by attending face-to-face sessions. Equivalent learning and teaching activities are provided for both distance and attendance students although the mode of delivery may vary. You are supported through the use of a virtual learning environment (Blackboard) and other readily available software.

You participate in lectures, seminars, group activities and computer-based workshops. Distance learning students receive recorded lectures and structured open learning materials and are encouraged to participate in online discussion and activities. There are also key points when distance learners must be available via online web technology as part of the assessment framework. Skills development is supported through computer-based simulations. Individual tutorial support is available to all students throughout the course.

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How you are assessed

You are assessed through a range of methods to provide a variety of learning experiences and to challenge and extend your knowledge. These include written reports and essays, defended poster, case study, research proposals, and a dissertation. You are given written feedback on all assignments to outline your progress and encourage further development.

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Employability

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Career opportunities

Successful completion of this programme provides opportunities for career progression for those already working in public health and opportunities for others to embark on a career in the field. It also serves as preparation for those wishing to take the Faculty of Public Health Part A examination.