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 program is not automatic. You will have to apply for the MPH program, 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 (FoS) are offered only as part-time programmes.
The MPH/DPH Applications is open between 1 March 2019 to 31 July 2019 for 2020 intake.
Admission Requirements both MPH and DPH
- A bachelor’s degree of at least four years duration in dental science, medicine, surgery, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, Bachelor of Science Honours.
- A Bachelor of Arts or Sciences with honours in psychology or sociology, social work or other field of relevance to public health.
- By special arrangement with the University
Application process and forms
Postgraduate applicants can now apply and pay online. The link to online applications is https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/ - you application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Written motivation by the applicant detailing motivation for applying for the course and how the program fits with their overall career goals. Motivation template: Motivation 2019
- Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae including a description of relevant research and work experience
- A motivation for the field of study
- Two referee reports. Referee template: MPH Referee Report_2019
- Certified copies of prior qualification(s).
- Original transcripts of qualifications (please upload electronically before mailing 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 sent to:
University of the Witwatersrand
Faculty of Health Science
Phillip V Tobias Health Sciences Building,
Corner York and St Andrew’s Roads, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Specializations in 6 different fields (MPH/DPH codes):
- Social and Behaviour Change Communication (MFASBCC61/MFASBCC50)
- Rural Health (MFARURH61/MFARURH50)
- Maternal and Child Health (MFAMACH61/MFAMACH50)
- Occupational Hygiene (MFAOCCH61/ MFAOCC50)
- Health Systems and Policy (MFAHSAP61/MFAHSSP50) and
- Health Economics (MFAHECN60)
The above MPH field of studies will all be offered in 2020.
Structure of the MPH programme:
The MPH can be 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 are able to offer on a full-time block release basis is the Social and Behavior Change Communication. The modular block release structure (for both part time block release and full time block release studies) means that you 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 usual gap between teaching blocks is 5-6 weeks and you have to complete 6 modules in the first year. At the end of the 6 teaching blocks, you write an examination, (usually 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 and you will be required to complete all coursework (i.e. 12 modules) within the first year and the research component in the 2nd year.