Master of Advanced Studies
Master of Advanced Studies in International Health
Swiss TPH, Allschwil, Switzerland
International / Global Health
International / global health is a discipline that systematically compares factors that affect the health of all human populations with a special focus on poverty-related health problems in low- and middleincome settings. International / global health includes the promotion of health, prevention and treatment of diseases and rehabilitation.
Knowledge and skills in health systems research, health economics, health policy and management of health services and the ability to critically analyse and draw implications for practice related to the major diseases are essential.
Despite the continued international fight against poverty and its related diseases, health inequities are growing and health challenges become more and more complex, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations around the globe.
A lack of sustainable and quality health services is one of the most important barriers to progress. Health professionals face significant challenges related to low levels of individual and institutional capacity. Therefore, capacity-building for health through the sustainable development of human resources is vital to ensuring quality service provision.
Master of Advanced Studies in International Health
The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in International Health is a post-graduate study programme offered by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and the University of Basel, in collaboration with tropEd – an international network of institutions offering post-graduate education in international and global health.
The MAS in International Health contributes to building skills through an interdisciplinary, evidence- and competence-based training for health professionals. Graduates from this programme have the capacity to critically analyse international / global health problems to identify determinants and to develop and evaluate adequate and appropriate responses in specific local, national and global contexts.
It is a modular part-time programme. Courses have to be taken in at least two different tropEd member institutes in two different countries. Student investment time and performance in the courses and the master‘s thesis are measured with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
The MAS programme is equivalent to one year of full-time study and can be spread over a period of up to five years. Student investment time for the core course, the advanced modules and the thesis work is, on average, equally distributed, summing up to 1,800 hours.
tropEd Network
tropEd is a network of currently around 25 institutions in 17 countries (Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America), which agree on a common curriculum for a master‘s programme in international / global health. The network was set up in 1996 and is registered as an association under German law. Swiss TPH is a founding member of tropEd and is represented in the tropEd Assembly. With initial financial support from the European Union and the Swiss Government to promote student and teacher mobility, it developed over the years into a globally recognized network for higher education in international and global health. The network facilitates the mobility of students and faculty, the exchange of interdisciplinary experiences and the establishment of common standards in education and training in international and global health. tropEd seeks to collaborate with other networks and institutions with similar goals. The contact of tropEd students from different institutions supports a mutual learning approach.
The range of topics offered in the advanced optional modules covers all important fields of international / global health: epidemiology, social sciences, statistics, biology, laboratory sciences, health economics, health management, treatment and prevention of diseases, health promotion, demography, leadership, scientific writing skills, project planning and management, communication etc.
At present, almost 150 training modules are accredited and offered by tropEd. More information about the network and the courses offered is available at: www.troped.org
Strengths of the Swiss TPH programme
Personal tutoring
At Swiss TPH, a personal tutor is assigned to each student and serves as a resource person for the student’s individual MAS in International Health. The close contact with the tutor guides the student through the modular and individually tailored part-time study programme. Based on suggestions from the student, the tutor and the student will jointly discuss the study plan, the selection of advanced optional modules and the plans for the master‘s thesis on a regular basis. The personal tutor at Swiss TPH is not only a measure to guarantee the quality of the study programme, but also a resource for the individual learning process of each student. Most Swiss TPH students in this programme work at least part-time and the assistance helps to keep track and to get the best out of a coherent and tailored study programme that fosters their professional career.
Programme structure
Students attend a mandatory three-month core course (full-time or in modules) on Health Care and Management (DAS HCM) at Swiss TPH (30 ECTS). Upon meeting the performance requirements, they continue with their study, taking selected advanced optional modules at Swiss TPH (10 ECTS) and in at least one other tropEd member institute to broaden their experience not only in international / global health but also to benefit from various teaching and learning approaches (10 ECTS). Normally, students enter the master‘s programme at the institute where they have completed the core course.
The master‘s thesis is the concluding phase of the programme (20 ECTS). Here, students can integrate their knowledge and experience. Students identify a topic for the thesis with guidance from the personal tutor and from experts in the field of interest. In many cases, the thesis is linked to the working environment of the student.
Quality
The programme is accredited by the University of Basel and the tropEd network. The Master of Advanced Studies in International Health diploma is awarded by the University of Basel and recognized by tropEd.
Courses offered at Swiss TPH
Core course
– Health Care and Management: From Research to Implementation
More information is available at: www.swisstph.ch/hcm
Advanced optional modules
– Health in Detention
– Travellers’ Health
– Health Policy and Systems Analysis
– Strategic Planning for Health Interventions
– Health Economics and Health Financing
– Financial Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting
– Leadership
– Organisational Behaviour and Transformational Management
– Communication, Marketing and Social Media
– Supply Chain Management in Health Care
– Digital Health Management
– Evidence-informed Writing and Reasoning
More information is available at: www.swisstph.ch/ppt
A win-win situation
Experience shows that the MAS in International Health at Swiss TPH can be of advantage for both students and the organisations where they are employed.
The modular structure of the programme enables students to continue with their work, taking breaks for the core course, for the advanced optional modules and the master‘s thesis. The knowledge and skills acquired from modules can be applied to the workplace, allowing for immediate application, practice and reinforcement of skills. Participants from low- and middle-income settings are less likely to leave their posts after training, as they remain integrated in their work setting and are often promoted.
Costs of the programme
The total costs of the programme vary depending on the advanced optional modules chosen.
The fee for the core course in Basel is CHF 7,000 (if completed in one year); the registration fee for the MAS programme is CHF 1,000.
The total costs for the advanced optional modules are around CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 (depending on the modules taken); a thesis fee of CHF 1,500 will complete the fees to be paid.
Costs for travel to the partner institutions and associated accommodation and living expenses have to be added.
Experience has shown that the total cost of the MAS in International Health is lower than a residential master‘s programme in the field of Public / International / Global Health in institutions across Europe and North America.
Further information
For further information please contact:
Swiss TPH, Course Secretariat Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
T: +41 (0)61 284 82 34 courses@swisstph.ch, www.swisstph.ch
