SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Public Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117086  Master of Public Health 
ORIGINATOR
The Foundation for Professional Development 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-05-28  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Public Health is designed to meet the need for education that helps to build capacity in Public Health to improve the health of populations and meet Sustainable Development Goals and the Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy for South Africa. The qualification will be offered online to health professionals in South Africa and other African countries

The qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the foundation sciences of Public Health, including knowledge of major Public Health problems faced in developing countries, methods for assessing disease burden, causation, and methods of prevention through population health research methods, in-depth critical awareness of how knowledge gained through the course can be applied to plan improvements to the health of populations in developing countries, conceptual understanding that allows the application of an evidence base to the practice of Public Health, critically evaluate information that is required for the practice of Public Health and synthesise prior learning in exploring or addressing an important public health.

Rationale:
This qualification is developed as a response to the massive health problems facing African populations, the need to build capacity to study the causes of and solutions for these problems, and a lack of affordable and accessible educational opportunities that would help develop this capacity.

A recent 2017 publication in Public Health Reviews: 'Master of Public Health programmes in South Africa: issues and challenges' indicated that the demand for highly skilled public health personnel in low- and middle-income countries had been recognised globally.

In Africa, the production of the public health workforce has not kept pace with the need, given the multiple burdens of disease, and specifically the burden imposed by the HIV, AIDS and TB epidemics. In most African countries, health systems and health qualifications are managed by clinicians with minimal public health training, resulting in poor health service management and ineffective resource allocation. In South Africa, the need to train more public health professionals has been acknowledged. The Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy for South Africa includes the establishment of public health units at district and provincial levels. Thus, a substantial investment is needed for training an effective health workforce. This qualification is viewed as an essential contributor in equipping health practitioners with adequate public health skills to meet the demands of the health care system.

The rapidly changing global public health context, which includes multiple disease burdens, complex healthcare systems, and challenging socio-economic and political environments, demands corresponding changes in public health responses and competencies. Complex public health responses demand highly skilled public health personnel, with the expertise and knowledge to contribute to strengthening health systems for optimal health service provision.
This qualification is viewed as an essential contributor to equipping health practitioners to meet the demands of the health system. With the introduction in South Africa of a re-engineered model of primary healthcare, and a National Health Insurance (NHI), this qualification will increase the output of qualifying learners to ensure effective health service delivery and improved health outcomes.

The use of a fully online qualification allows access to this education by those who are not able to attend a university physically for social, geographical, employment or disability reasons. It also allows access to a wide range of modern educational sources which can be immediately updated, as well as access to an international faculty to provide the education. Online education is ideally suited for those who are in the workforce. Online learning also allows learners from other parts of Africa to join and add an international component to the capacity building through this qualification.

The South African Medical Society (SAMA) has been consulted concerning the need for the qualification.

Learners will be mainly health professionals, including doctors, nurses and public health practitioners. It is an essential qualification in the area of public health: governmental organisations; health services management; policy and planning; housing; transport; or for community groups and Non-Government Organisations.

Public health professionals monitor and diagnose the health concerns of entire communities and promote healthy practices and behaviours to ensure that populations stay healthy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be applied in line with the institution's policies and guidelines. This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of prior learning. Learners will be assessed against the exit level outcomes of the qualification on a case-by-case basis. Such procedures and the assessment of individual cases are subject to moderation by independent-assessors.

Formal, informal, and non-formal learning experiences submitted for RPL will be assessed against the purpose of this qualification, exit level outcomes and module outcomes. RPL will provide advanced standing to learners based on the learner's experience and/ or learning acquired prior to applying for RPL. The application of RPL can entail exemption from certain units of modules in the qualification.

The following rules are applicable at the institution as outlined by the policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning:
  • Learners need to provide evidence of significant and relevant prior learning before applications will be considered.
  • Status is an application to register for a qualification when the learner does not hold the required admission qualification or equivalent qualification but holds another qualification on the same NQF level as that of the prerequisite qualification.
  • Subject or module RPL is an application for recognition of a specific subject/s or modules to obtain RPL exemption for that subject/s or modules.
  • Admission of learners through an RPL route is possible.
  • The assessment processes involved with the application of RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal Master's degree qualification.
  • RPL assessment takes a holistic view of the process of assessment where the context of the learning as well as the context of the applicant who is being assessed is taken into account.
  • An RPL applicant seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge must still comply with all the requirements as stated in the learning modules of the Master's degree.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • An appropriate Bachelor's degree, NQF Level 8
    Or
  • Bachelor of Public Health Honours, NQF Level 8
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, NQF Level 8 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 120 Credits:
  • Introduction to Epidemiology, 15 Credits.
  • Biostatistics, 15 Credits.
  • One Module from the Public Health Problems group, 15 Credits.
  • One Module from the Public Health Problems group, 15 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation, 60 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 60 Credits: (Choose an additional four electives from the groups below without repeatingChoose any 4 of the modules from the two groups below ):
  • Group 1: Foundation Sciences of Public Health.
  • Evidence-Based Practice, 15 Credits.
  • Health promotion, 15 Credits.
  • Evaluation of interventions, 15 Credits.
  • Health economics, 15 Credits.
  • Inequalities and social determinants of health, 15 Credits.
  • Public health concepts for policymakers, 15 Credits.

    Group 2: Public Health Problems (Any of these modules other than the two chosen as
    compulsory modules):
  • Communicable disease (Transmission, surveillance & control), 15 Credits.
  • Disaster management and emergency planning, 15 Credits.
  • Global mental health, 15 Credits.
  • Public Health aspects of HIV/AIDS, 15 Credits.
  • Injury prevention, 15 Credits.
  • Maternal mortality, 15 Credits.
  • Non-communicable diseases, 15 Credits.
  • Preventing child mortality, 15 Credits.
  • Public health nutrition, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Measure health problems and their effect on local, regional, national and global populations.
    2. Apply a critical evidence-based approach to population health problems.
    3. Apply knowledge and skills to research health problems and policies in populations.
    4. Apply knowledge and skills to intervene to improve or protect the health of populations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the methods for assessing disease burden and causation through population health research methods.
  • Identify key sources of data, and use the specialist methods of epidemiology and biostatistics to assess population health status.
  • Display understanding of theoretical underpinnings of key issues relating to health and disease in populations.
  • Synthesise knowledge of major Public Health problems faced in developing countries.
  • Understand sources of bias in research.
  • Show appreciate of social determinants of health as causes of inequality.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply methods of assessment and critical appraisal of research evidence.
  • Produce a systematic review of published research evidence.
  • Obtain skills for the access and critical evaluation of information and knowledge that is required for the practice of Public Health.
  • Acknowledge the role of health policy and health systems in the health of populations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Synthesise prior learning in exploring or addressing a significant public health issue facing the community.
  • Identify a problem facing the population as suitable for further research.
  • Develop and report on a research protocol to address an identified problem and its potential solution using appropriate methods and designs.
  • Consider ethical and practical issues of implementation.
  • Consider the impact of findings for health policy.
  • Plan, conduct and write up individual original research in public health.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the methods of prevention of disease at the population level.
  • Show an understanding of how changes in health policy can improve the health of populations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of interventions to improve health or practice and their evaluation.

  • Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment processes for the qualification uses both formative and summative assessments for assessing each of the Exit Level Outcomes above. Within each course work module, formative assessment is performed as follows:
  • discussions
  • short questions
  • case studies
  • online tests
  • assignments

    The summative assignment for the course work modules is in the form of an essay. Learners are required to demonstrate the application and integration of all the modules of the qualification in the planning, execution and reporting of a research project. The summative assessment of the research module is in the form of a mini-dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The following international qualifications were identified as being comparable to this qualification.

    The University of Liverpool offers the Master of Public Health degree full time for 12 months, and part-time for 24 to 36 months. The qualification provides a solid foundation for public health research and practice in a variety of public, NGO, and international settings. With the knowledge and skills, learners will be able to put public health principles into effect in a variety of settings including research, practice, policy and at the interface of applied research. The University of Liverpool offers some modules similar to the one in the proposed qualifications.

    The University of Texas based in Austin, Texas, USA is offering a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate degree that offers an exciting career path for individuals to earn an affordable, multi-disciplinary, and innovative degree at all stages of their careers. The qualification put learners on the front line of the toughest public health challenges with people who need the help most. Learners are equipped with the quantitative and operational skills they need to improve public and population health and become an advocate for change. The University of Texas also offers some modules similar to this qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Business Administration, NQF Level 9

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Public Health, NQF Level 10 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    1. The Foundation for Professional Development 


    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.