Master of Science in Public Health

Master Programmes

Master of Science in Public Health

• MPH Track in Health Systems, Policy and Management • MPH Track in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

The Master of Public Health (MPH)* is a twelve-month Master of Science in Public Health programme organised by KIT Royal Tropical Institute and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).

Public health in a changing environment

Health systems in low- and middle-income countries face a wide range of complex challenges. These challenges include: the inequalities in health and healthcare; the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases; the unfolding demographic transition; and the health needs in fragile environments.

The worlds of international and national health governance and financing are increasingly complex and interconnected. The COVID-19 epidemic highlighted the threats of this interconnectedness. Globally, there is more emphasis on the importance of working in partnerships to provide evidence-based public health solutions for continuously improving the quality and responsiveness of health services. Addressing these issues requires well-trained professionals, capable of solving complex public health problems systematically, using a partnership approach.

Course Objectives

The MPH is designed to develop the capacity of mid-level health managers to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to address health problems in their country. In all programme components, participants are encouraged to interact with participants from other countries who face similar issues but with alternative solutions.

After the programme you will be able to:

• Critically assess population health status, identify population health problems, risk factors and determinants and determine health needs. • Appraise the role of health systems in terms of fundamental goals, functions, actors and performance. • Effectively influence policymaking and strategic planning concerning interventions aiming at improving public health, taking into account scientific evidence, good practice and local context. • Creatively implement, quality client-centred, cost-effective, strategies and interventions. • Monitor and evaluate health interventions by effectively managing human, financial and logistic resources in the dynamic global and local context. • Work professionally across different sectors, different cultures, disciplines and institutional levels, with private and public actors, and through advocacy, communication and networking. • Identify research needs; commission research, and critically analyse and translate research results into policy and practice. • Incorporate a pro-poor and equity approach in all actions. • Continuously examine and critically self-reflect on your own cultural competence, motivation, practice and values, adjust them accordingly, and act as an agent of change.

* This course was formerly known as the International Course in Health Development (ICHD)

Programme Structure

In total the MPH programme consists of three parts: Core Course, Specialisation Courses and Thesis.

1 Core Course for both tracks

• Introduction • Epidemiology and Statistics • Learning and Communication Skills • Social Determinants of Health • Health Systems and Policy Making • Health Planning

2 Specialisation Courses

Specialisation courses for both tracks

• Qualitative Methods for Health Systems Research • Human Resources for Health • Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS

Advanced specialisation courses: Track in Health Systems, Policy and Management Advanced specialisation courses: Track in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Control Strategies for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Organising Effective Responses

Health Policy and Financing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Policy, Governance and Finance

3 Thesis: For both tracks

The thesis is focused on a topic relevant to the track that you chose as well as to your (previous or envisaged) work. Guided by an advisor, you write a thesis on an important health problem you identified in your country or a different geographical scope of your choice. The aim is to systematically analyse the core problem and make suggestions for its solution based on qualitative and quantitative data, literature review or both.

Practical Information

Your profile

If you are a health professional working, or preparing to work, in a mid-level managerial capacity in the health system at national, regional or decentralised/district level, then the MPH is designed for you. You have the option of choosing between two tracks, designed for different professional domains:

• MPH Track in Health Systems, Policy and

Management: if you aspire to work at the interface of policy and management, within different health systems contexts. • MPH Track in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: if you wish to work in domains requiring an SRHR focus.

Accreditation

See page 3

geaccrediteerde opleiding

Admission criteria

• Academic training at least to the level of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in medicine, public health or another field related to health care, such as health sciences, economics, social science or nursing.

• Three years of relevant public health work experience, including work managerial responsibilities and experience relevant for low- and middle-income settings.

• Proof of English language proficiency obtained no more than two years before the start of the programme, in the form of a score on the internationally recognized TOEFL or IELTS test.

See www.kit.nl/mph for more information and exceptions.

• Computer literacy is essential, as we use a virtual learning platform in our education and many assignments require digital competencies.

Course information

Course dates

11-09-2023 until 31-08-2024

Duration 1 year (Full-time) up to 3 years (Part-time) EC 60 Location KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam Language English Fee (full-time) € 19,180 Fee (part-time) € 19,850

Eligible for scholarships from the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) (Full-time programme only)

KIT application deadline OKP applicants

25-02-2023

OKP application deadline

Date to be confirmed, February 2023

KIT application deadline other funding

01-07-2023

Contact courses@kit.nl Website www.kit.nl/mph

Part-time MPH

If you cannot leave your home/job for one year, it is now possible to follow the MPH programme in parts. You will take the Core Course in your first year and the Specialisation Courses in the second year. The Thesis can be done (distanced-based) in the second or third year.

Student testimonials

Studying for a Master’s of Public Health at KIT was the best experience in my life. I loved the interactive teaching style, debate sessions, real-life case studies, research and field trips organised by the KIT team. The programme strengthened my critical thinking, leadership and management, communication and problem-solving skills. I learned to look at public health problems from different perspectives, which I am applying to my current work of project management and humanitarian development work for the Malaria Elimination program in the Greater-Mekong Subregion. With what I learned, I am determined to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and other health problems and to strengthen the health systems in Myanmar.”

My time at KIT has not only given me growth in Public Health understanding and skills but much more also the appreciation of the constant exchange of culture. Following the MPH/ICHD and being able to learn through the eyes from an African or Asian perspective, gave more value to the course than I first realized. I liked the open communication with the facilitators and the space in the sessions to ask critical questions. KIT became for me a home away from home. Studying my MPH at KIT was one of the best decisions I could have taken.”

The MPH at KIT prepared me for the real-world challenges that a public health professional often faces. With expertise from all corners of public health, KIT’s team helped me tailor coursework and opportunities that allowed me to pursue my interests in management of SRHR, HIV, TB and Mental Health Interventions for Priority Populations and Key Populations. In addition, the wide variety of cultures, experiences and disciplines represented in the student population lead to meaningful, thought-provoking discussions. Modules such as Health Planning, Health Policy, and Financing, and SRHR, gave me the knowledge and skills l needed for my current job.”

Sandi Tun from Myanmar, MPH

Management for RAI3E (Malaria Elimination program), The Global Fund, UNOPS Asia Region

Iline Ceelen from Belgium and Switzerland, MPH

Background in midwifery, working as a Medical Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières

Grace Chengeto Madzivanyika from Zimbabwe, MPH

Programmes Director – Young Children, Sex Workers and LGBTQI programmes for Universal Health Institute in South Africa