Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science Education

The Wits postgraduate diploma in health science education (PGD HSE) is a key offering available to health science educators in their journey towards scholarly teaching. The diploma addresses theories of learning relevant to the health sciences, and guides participants to reimagine their pedagogy, assessment strategies and course design in relation to their local context as well as national needs.

This programme is open to any person who has a four-year degree in one of the health science professions and who has at least two years teaching experience in the field. Proficiency in English and basic computer literacy are also required.

The diploma consists of four modules:

• Theories of teaching and learning
• Teaching Methodologies for Health Science Education
• Essentials of Assessment in Health Science Education
• Curriculum Design for Health Science Education

Each module runs over eight weeks, utilising a blended format which requires approximately 30 hours of work per week. The modules are closely facilitated, with a scheduled initiation and endpoint for each unit. Attendance in-person for 3 days for each module is mandatory as part of the learning experience. All four modules are offered each year, however there is an option to complete the diploma over a two-year period, engaging with two modules per year.

Diplomates who complete the course comment on its life-changing nature – where their attitudes and approaches to training students in the health sciences are exponentially enlightened.

Applications for admission close on 30 September 2023.

Click here to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science Education.

Masters in Health Science Education

Following the introduction to health science education offered by the postgraduate diploma, participants in the masters programme critically engage with relevant issues relating to curriculum philosophy and design, theory and practice of assessment and scholarship of teaching and learning. Through guided reflective practice, the programme takes a humanistic approach in empowering participants to develop research capacity in Health Science education and progress as scholarly teachers.

The Masters programme consists of the following modules:

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in the Health Sciences
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research in health science education
• Evidence-informed Decision Making
• Educational Strategies for the Clinical Sciences
• Curriculum Philosophy and Design in the Health Sciences 
• Theory and Practice of Assessment in the Health sciences
• Research project

The programme runs over two years, requiring completed coursework and a capstone Research Report. All coursework is run in a blended format with face-to-face seminars and asynchronous online tasks.

Applications for admission close on 30 September 2023

Click here to apply for the Masters in Health Science Education.