KIT Development Policy & Practice
Master in International Health 2014-2015
Master in International Health The Master in International Health (MIH) aims to develop the capacity of health professionals planing to work at the level where international organizations and national health systems converge. The flexibility of this Master allows participants to design a program that is tailored to their individual needs and that will optimally prepare them for their desired field of work – whether it is: child health, HIV and AIDS, maternal health, health in disaster settings, research, health policy, human resources, among others. The program can be completed in a period of time between 1 year (fulltime) and 5 years (part-time). The MIH is organized by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).
Objectives
The MIH provides health professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to deal with current challenges effectively. The MIH aims to enable you to understand and analyse international health issues, conduct applied research, and develop adequate and appropriate responses in a global context. An international health expert should be able to: • Identify and critically analyse key factors and forces, including international changes, shaping the health of populations in low and middle income countries. • Identify and appraise the challenges, threats and opportunities to health care delivery arising from globalization. • Formulate effective and appropriate responses to complex international practice and policy issues. • Communicate effectively across disciplines, sectors and national boundaries and with professionals and clients at all different levels of the health system and related institutions. • Identify research needs, commission research and critically analyse and use research results. • Work professionally, critically reflect and continuously seek to enhance personal and organizational learning.
Participants What is International Health?
International 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 middle-income societies. International health includes the promotion of health, prevention and treatment of diseases and rehabilitation. Knowledge, skills and the ability to critically analyse and draw implications for practice related to the major endemic diseases, health systems research, health economics, health policy and management of health services are essential.
If you are a health professional (for example medical doctor, nurse, midwife) and you wish to develop/ boost your career in international health, this course is designed for you.
Program structure
The program is taken in the following order: A. Core course (NTC), (20 ECTS) B. Advanced modules (20 ECTS) C. Thesis (20 ECTS) Note: 20 ECTS is approximately equivalent to four months of full-time study
A. Core course
The core course, Netherlands Course in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (NTC), provides you with the basic knowledge on a very wide range of topics that you need to follow the advanced modules and complete your thesis. The course consists of 5 modules: introduction, determinants of health, health problems, basic research methods and health systems. For a more detailed description see: www.kit.nl/training/NTC
B. Advanced modules
In the advanced modules you can deepen your skills and knowledge on selected topics. With the support of the course management, you make a personal study plan. The advanced modules can be taken at KIT and at various universities and institutes throughout the Netherlands, and in- and outside Europe. Students are encouraged to follow modules in different countries. Participants who would like their degree to be certified by tropEd must take the advanced modules at tropEd member institutions. See: www.troped.org
C. Thesis
Under the guidance of an adviser who is expert on the topic, you will write a thesis on an important health problem that you wish to address in your working life. You will systematically analyse a problem and make suggestions for its solution based on qualitative and quantitative information from a literature review or primary study.
Part-time option
The program can be completed within 1 to 5 years, depending on your availability.
Learning method
The MIH aims for increased competency of health workers. The content of the course is practice-based and oriented as much as possible to the working situation of participants. Contacts between staff and participants are intensive throughout the course. You will learn through lectures,
discussions, group work, individual presentations, case studies, exercises, study visits, ‘serious gaming’, self-reflection, selfstudy and written assignments including a thesis. You will receive study material before each module. Online repositories are used for learning material; laptops and/or tablets are required.
Study load
A total of 60 ECTS credit points must be accumulated for successful completion of the MIH program. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) facilitates transfer of course credits between institutions at the same academic level. One ECTS requires 30 hours of student time, which includes class time and independent study.
Application procedure
The application package is due 2,5 months before the start of the course. Please upload your application online: http://application.kit.nl The following documents should be uploaded: • A one-page letter describing your motivation to follow the course • Copies of your diplomas and grade reports • An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable • Unless you are a native English speaker or have completed your higher education in English, enclose proof of English language proficiency in the form of the internationally recognized test TOEFL or IELTS. A minimum TOEFL score of 5.5 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is required. It is possible to upload this information at a later moment if you have not taken this test yet. For Dutch participants academic training is sufficient. It is also possible to send your application as hardcopy. In this case you have to send the documents listed above and add in addition a completed application form. Candidates fulfilling the MIH entry requirements will receive a letter of conditional admission, admitting them to the course
Admission criteria • Academic training at least to the level of a bachelor’s degree, either in medicine or a paramedical science • Two years of relevant work experience • Proven proficiency in spoken and written English • Computer literacy is expected
provided that financing can be arranged. Once you have secured financial support and provided evidence of proficiency in English, you will receive a definitive letter of admission.
Funding and financial assistance
The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. Some candidates are sponsored by their own governments, universities or employers while others apply for fellowships offered through the United Nations and its specialized agencies such as UNICEF, WHO, WB, UNDP or through other international programs. A scholarship program for the MIH is available through the Erasmus Mundus program, please see: http://www.em-troped.u-bordeaux2.fr/ For more information on other options visit the KIT website: www.kit.nl/fellowships or www.grantfinder.nl.
tropEd
The MIH is offered across Europe by members of tropEd, a global network of institutions for higher education in international health. This network enables you to follow part of your training at European, African, Asian and Latin American universities and institutions. KIT is a longstanding member of the tropEd network.
Practical information Course dates
The MIH program starts in September and March of each year. Upcoming dates for the core course: 15 September – 19 December 2014 9 March – 12 June 2015
Application deadline: 2,5 months before start of the course Note: Candidates are advised to apply early as number of participants is limited and visa applications can take several months.
Course fees
The fee for this course is € 9.720 (2014) which covers the tuition fee for the core course, course materials, tutoring for the thesis and advisory services for the duration of the program. Please note that it does not include fees for advanced modules as these depend on the students personal study plan. MIH students from KIT receive 20% discount on indicated prices for advanced modules taken at KIT.
Location
Classes are held at KIT in Amsterdam
Accommodation
There is a severe shortage of student accommodation in Amsterdam and participants are advised to contact KIT for information. KIT will assist participants in their search for housing. For information on accommodation, visa and insurance requirements go to our website, www.kit.nl/MIH and see under practical information
Accreditation
The MIH is accredited by the NetherlandsFlemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO).
Master courses at KIT • Masters of Public Health/International Course in Health Development • Masters of Public Health – Track in HIV and AIDS • Masters of Public Health – Track in Sexual and Reproductive Health • Masters in International Health • Netherlands Course in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Advanced courses MIH offered at KIT Global Health and Development
• Advanced Course on Health Sector Reforms and Financing • Analysing Disrupted Health Systems • Control Strategies for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases • Gender, Rights and Health (e-learning) • Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Disease Control Programs • NEW: Advanced course on Governance and Equity in Health Systems • Health Policy and Financing • Health Systems Research • Human Resources for Health • Advanced Course on Monitoring and Evaluation: Innovations in a Dynamic Health Systems Environment • NEW: Urban Health in Low and Middle Income Countries (e-learning)
Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Sexual and Reproductive Health including HIV and AIDS • NEW: Sexual and Reproductive Health including HIV and AIDS (e-learning)
Why study at kit?
• Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues • Practice oriented • Exchange between disciplines • Interactive education • Development of personal and professional competencies • Network building
• NEW: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Organising Effective Responses
HIV and AIDS
• Dynamics of the HIV and AIDS Epidemics and Effective Responses • HIV Politics, Policy, Governance and Planning Mechanisms • HIV and AIDS: Organizing Effective Responses and Health Systems Strengthening • NEW: Health Systems Strengthening and HIV (e-learning)
Other advanced courses Gender, Rights and Development
• Gender in Value Chains • Gender, Rights and Health (e-learning) • Tailor-made training
Sustainable Economic Development • Tailor-made training • Scheduled advanced courses
WHO Collaborating Centre for HRH The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated KIT an HRH collaborating centre for the training, retention and motivation of health care workers in developing countries. As such, KIT conducts research and advises countries on policy, planning and capacity development for HR management in the international health care sector.
• Personal tutoring • Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries • Teachers: highly qualified specialists • Positively reviewed by tropEd • KIT: international centre of excellence in international health and development • Accredited by NVAO
Contact information The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) KIT Development Policy & Practice Area Education MIH Course Coordinator P.O. BOX 95001 1090 HA Amsterdam The Netherlands
Telephone
+31 (0)20 568 8218/8256
courses@kit.nl
Website
www.kit.nl/ntc
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About KIT The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) is an independent centre of knowledge and expertise in the areas of international and intercultural cooperation. The aims of KIT are to contribute to sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and cultural preservation and exchange.
Photography: Susan Huider