Masters and Diploma in Public Health
The programme strives to develop public health practitioners who will:
- Promote equity in health.
- Play a leadership role in public health.
- Attain a broad understanding of the core disciplines of public health.
- Develop expertise in at least one area within the broad field of public health.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of health, the health care system and public health problems.
- Develop skills of critical and analytical thinking.
How to Apply:
Entry into the programme is not automatic. You will have to apply for the MPH programme, and your application is subject to review by a selection panel. The MPH/DPH is offered as a part time block programme over three years. In order to accommodate the work/study interface, most fields of study (FoS) are offered only as part-time programmes.
The MPH/DPH applications is open between 1 April 2021 to 31 July 2021 for 2022 intake.
Admission Requirements for both MPH and DPH
- A Bachelor’s degree of at least four years duration in dental science, medicine, surgery, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, or Bachelor of Science Honours.
- A Bachelor of Arts or Science with honours in psychology, sociology, social work or other field of relevance to public health.
Application process and forms
Postgraduate applicants can now apply and pay online. The link to online applications is https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/ - application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Written motivation by the applicant, detailing the motivation for applying for the course and how the programme fits with their overall career goals. Motivation template: Motivation 2021
- Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, including a description of relevant research and work experience
- A motivation for applying to the field of study
- Two referee reports. Referee template: MPH Referee Report 2021
- Certified copies of prior qualification(s).
- Original transcripts of qualifications (please upload electronically before emailing supporting documents)
- Evidence of familiarity with computer packages such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access etc.
- Foreign qualifications evaluation from SAQA for applicants who graduated from non- South African universities.
- English competency certificate or evidence of prior undergraduate training in English.
Supporting documents for applications should be uploaded by the candidate on the online self-service platform.
Specializations in six different fields (MPH/DPH codes):
- Social and Behaviour Change Communication (MFASBCC61/MFASBCC50)
- Rural Health (MFARURH61/MFARURH50)
- Maternal and Child Health (MFAMACH61/MFAMACH50)
- Health Systems and Policy (MFAHSAP61/MFAHSSP50) and
- Health Economics (MFAHECN60)
- Exposure and Health (MFAESI60)
The above MPH field of studies will all be offered in 2022.
Structure of the MPH programme:
The MPH is offered as both a part-time block release programme (3-4 years programme) and a full-time block release (2-year programme). Currently, the only field of study that we offer on a full-time block release basis is Social and Behavior Change Communication. The modular block release structure (for both part-time and full-time block release studies) requires you to attend 1- week teaching blocks from 8-5pm Monday to Friday, sometimes spilling over into Saturday. For 2020, the MPH is only being offered part time.
For the part-time block release programme, the gap between teaching blocks is usually 5-6 weeks; 6 modules must be completed in the first year. Exams are written in June and/or October of the academic year. For the full time block release programme the gap between the teaching blocks is usually 2-3 weeks; you will be required to complete all coursework (i.e. 12 modules) in the first year, and the research component in the 2nd year.