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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117139  Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health 
ORIGINATOR
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  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 purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is to enable learners to develop knowledge and skills necessary to advance public health knowledge to respond to national and international needs in an innovative, ethical and professional manner. The qualification will also introduce learners to the various steps of public health research, to equip and prepare them for advance Postgraduate studies in the field of public health. The qualification will train public health professionals to possess graduate-level scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work independently to advance public health knowledge to provide public health solutions nationally and beyond.

The qualification enables the learner to gain knowledge and skills regarding public health issues and challenges and to use health promotion; the health education approaches to contribute towards disease prevention and control.

Rationale:
The target audience of the qualification is people who have a health care background and work in relevant public health platforms, including public and private health care institutions, community-based organisations, and government health and social sectors.

The Human Resources Strategy of the National Department of Health requires an increase in trained professionals in Public Health and health promotion. Specific training in health promotion is a natural offering in most Schools of Public Health, and this is lacking in South Africa. The qualification will, therefore, put South Africa a step ahead and will contribute to the re-engineering of Primary Health Care in the country.

Thus, the qualification will provide learners with skills and knowledge to work in settings ranging from communities, public and private institutions and civil society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning is through the University's policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Psychology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 8,120 Credits:
  • MPBA600, 40 Credits.
  • MPBD601, 16 Credits.
  • MPBE601, 16 Credits.
  • MPBB602, 16 Credits.
  • MPBC602, 16 Credits.
  • MPBF602, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a grounding in the fundamentals of public health with knowledge and skill in research methods and evaluation, health systems, population health measurement, and environmental health. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify and formulate practical applications of the research results.
  • Critically evaluate the results of a research study and be able to translate them into appropriate and feasible recommendations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The use of the formative and summative assessment strategies ensures that Exit Level Outcomes are achievable.

    Assessment of modules is through both formative and summative assessment.
    The formative assessment consists of:
  • Ten weekly lessons that count 70% towards the semester mark.
  • Two individual written assignments that count to 30% towards the semester mark.
  • The department and document determine the weighting of each assessment opportunity as assessment criteria.
  • Formative assessments are weekly.
  • Learners need a minimum year mark of 40% to enter to examinations.

    The summative assessment consists of:
  • A five-hour examination.
  • The ratio of the formative versus summative assessment is 60 to 40.
  • Written examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Internationally, countries have health promotion qualifications. Most African countries were not able to meet their MDG goals and are less likely to meet these goals because of lack of appropriate qualifications that empower communities to take control of their health status, and health promotion and health education. Many schools of Public Health in Europe and the USA have qualifications that focus specifically on health promotion, from Undergraduate to doctoral levels. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Public Health Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    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. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 


    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.