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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Public Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110847  Master of Public Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
To educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge to protect, preserve and promote the health of communities and populations in a multidisciplinary manner at an advanced level such that they are prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment.

Rationale:
South Africa currently faces numerous health system challenges that require graduates with specialised and advanced skills to conduct critical research, formulate, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate policies and programs aimed at improving the health status from a population perspective. The Master of Public Health will provide students with specialised knowledge of health issues from a population perspective, allowing them to critically engage and conduct advanced research on the various aspects affecting health from a population focus.

The Master of Public Health will enable students to reflect critically on theory and its application and creatively, design and critically appraise research, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be gained through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which is applied in accordance with the policy document Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Policy and Procedures of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Assessment of all applicants is approved by Faculty Boards, prior to student registration. The learners must produce a portfolio of evidence that shows the experience and learning that have arisen out of the work environment and must include reports that they have produced in the work environment, all Public Health courses that they have completed through relevant accredited organisations and supporting letters from supervisors and managers.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8 in a health related or social science discipline, or.
  • Bachelor in Medical Science Honours, Level 8.
  • MBCHB.
  • A Bachelor's Degree, Level 7 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health, Level 8.
  • A minimum of a one-year programme or clinical experience in the health or social sector. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules,176 Credits:
  • Public Health Principles and Practice, 16 Credits.
  • Qualitative Research Methods, 16 Credits.
  • Health Measurement (Analytic), 16 Credits.
  • Health Measurement (Descriptive) 16 Credits.
  • Research Methods and Bioethics, 16 Credits.
  • Research Project in Public Health, 96 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 16 Credits (Choose one):
  • Maternal and Reproductive Health, 16 Credits.
  • Health Systems and Policy, 16 Credits.
  • Health Service Management, 16 Credits.
  • Health Economics and Financing, 16 Credits.
  • Epidemiology (Intermediate), 16 Credits.
  • Child and Adolescent Health, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of health, the health care system and public health problems and of measures that can be taken to address these problems and to promote, protect and restore the health of a population.
    2. Understand the factors which influence local, national and global legislative and social policies.
    3. Demonstrate skills of critical and analytical thinking and apply them to research in the health domain.
    4. Apply broad-based, state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative skills needed for problem solving.
    5. Demonstrate multi-disciplinary and collaborative strategies for solving health related problems.
    6. Use communication skills when working with diverse populations; and.
    7. Take up a leadership role in health service management, policy formulation, health promotion and disease prevention. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current health policy and legislation.
  • Engage with debates on current health policy.
  • Answer integrated practical assignments and case studies.
  • Apply learning to own work situation.
  • Complete a research dissertation.
  • Understand and critically evaluate public health studies.
  • Engage with debates on current health policy.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking in written submissions.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment will be used for formative and summative assessments. Assignments and examinations will primarily focus on the application of learning to specific problems and contexts rather than the reproduction of theoretical knowledge. Real problems and case studies will be used wherever possible.

    Assessment methods will include:
  • Individual written assignments - The students will be provided with an integrated case scenario that will require critical analysis of the theoretical knowledge provided.
  • Individual and group oral presentations - This will assess the ability of the students to work in groups and communicate the findings.
  • Written examinations- This will test the knowledge of students in an integrated manner.
    The research module and dissertation draws on the theoretical knowledge acquired across all the modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Master's Degrees in Public Health, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • A cognate Doctorate, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.