Program Overview

Programme: Master of Public Health [MPH]

The Master of Public Health (MPH) programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of public health principles and practices. The programme is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria.

Programme Information

The curriculum includes four compulsory modules and a range of elective modules, with a blended learning approach combining online, distance-based learning, and face-to-face teaching modalities. The programme consists of a minimum of 180 credits and has a minimum duration of study of two years.

Admission Requirements

• Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or equivalent with a weighted average of at least 60%
• Equivalent learning (study for non-degree purposes or equivalent coursework at another institution) provided that the applicant is in possession of:
  • Relevant honours degree
  • Relevant four-year bachelor's degree and at least two years' applicable practical (work) experience
  • Relevant three-year bachelor's degree and at least five years' applicable practical (work) experience

Additional Requirements

• Registration as a special student in the Faculty in order to pass a status examination in certain instances
• Pass requirements for the status examination: at least 60% must be obtained in the status examination
• Other selection criteria include academic merit, national/international need for public health, under-represented groups in public health, public health-related employment, and track record

Programme Structure

The programme consists of core modules and elective modules. Core modules include:

• Biostatistics 1
• Introduction to disease control
• Basis of environmental health
• Introduction to health management
• Epidemiology 1
• Scientific writing
• Learning in public health
• Social determinants of health and primary health care
• Applied research methodology
• Mini-dissertation

Elective modules are available in various fields, including public health, environmental health, epidemiology, health systems, and research methods.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

• Students must participate in all activities and successfully complete all written and/or online tasks
• Written, oral, and/or practical examinations must be passed in each prescribed and each elective module
• The minimum pass mark for the modules and the dissertation is 50%
• A second examination in a module is arranged in conjunction with the head of department for any student obtaining less than 50% and more than 39% for any module

Research Information

• A mini-dissertation on an approved research project must be passed
• The mini-dissertation contributes 100 credits and is the equivalent of 1,000 notational hours of learning
• The expected outcome of the mini-dissertation is that the student will be able to identify and investigate health and health systems problems in a comprehensive manner

Pass with Distinction

The MPH degree is awarded with distinction to a student who has obtained a mark of at least 75% for the dissertation as well as a simple (unweighted) average of at least 75% of all the marks (not rounded) for the other required modules for the degree.

General Information

• Concurrent registration for two study programmes is not allowed, except in the case of exceptional academic achievement
• The School of Health Systems and Public Health states that concurrent registration for two study programmes is a privilege and not a right
• Students must complete elective modules from the list provided, with a total number of credits for elective modules being 50.