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
5827	Master of Public Health
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria
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	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0335/25	2024-06-30	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

The first purpose of the course leading to the MPH qualification is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies in the broad field of health systems and public health, and to develop specific expertise in one sub-area. In this process, the course aims to equip any professional whose work impacts on health and the health sector with the requisite competencies to optimise health and health care systems, and to promote equity in health and health care access.

The second purpose is to provide competent staff and leaders in the field of health systems management and evaluation, health research, and health promotion.

The third purpose is to increase the impact of health system transformation in Africa, by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of middle and senior health sector managers and programme staff.

The fourth purpose is to provide society with advocates for health, for equity in health and for societal development compatible with future health.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First degree
Honours degree
Other:
Admission requirements:
A 4-year university or equivalent degree
An honours degree
An advanced Bachelor's degree (e.g. M B Ch B or equivalent degree)
Any 3-year degree, with substantial experience in the field of public health

Criteria considered also: persons representing groups under-represented in public health, national or organisational support, experience in public health work.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

M P H

Learning outcomes:
Master of Public Health (MPH)

An MPH graduate is able to identify, assess any problem in the area of health systems and public health, to formulate and implement solutions to these, and to evaluate their impact.
Work ethically and professionally

Diploma in Public Health
Diploma in Health Systems Management

Any student who cannot complete the entire MPH programme, can exit with a sequence of modules providing them with a diploma in public health, health systems management, tropical health, or occupational health.

For each Module a Certificate can be awarded

The MPH is entirely modularised into modules of 1-3 weeks. Each module can be accessed as a "stand-alone" short course as initial learning, or as continuing professional development, each module taken for these reasons is awarded with a certificate.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
1. Graduates are experts in teamwork, in communication in health, and advocacy.
2. Are expert problem solvers
3. Graduates are able to engage with professionals from "non-health" disciplines in addressing health problems
4. Become continuous learners

For details: see the separate submissions for each of these.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

One
Each module is defined as "an independent learning unit" having its own (detailed) objectives, substance, format, and evaluation. Evaluation is appropriate to the module objectives. As most modules have a combination of knowledge, skills, attitudinal, and competency objectives, most evaluations are multi-faceted: including written papers, home assignments, group assignments and class room presentations. Specific skills evaluation may be included.

Two
In addition, 4 modules have been listed as "integrative case studies" in which students with a different professional background and with a different MPH specialisation work on a comprehensive solution to a current public health problem. The evaluation consists of an assessment of the quality and integration achieved in the solution, of the presentation of the work, and is given as a group mark.

Three
Graduates can interpret scientific studies in the health field, can conduct such studies with some assistance, can communicate health issues clearly (verbally and written) and can advocate for health.

Integrated assessment:
Portfolios
Simulations
Work-place assessments
Written examinations
Oral examinations
Other:
Group work is rated as part of most modules: in the form of group assignments for which all participants receive either the same mark as is given for the overall assignments or in which individual marks are moderated by a peer-assessment method of awarding a proportion of the max score.

Individual and group presentations, peer evaluation and a dissertation will be used as well.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Related qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Community Health
Master of Science (in 4 health fields)
Doctoral in Public Health/Ph D

Master of Medicine in Community Health serves as an entry point to the related qualification
Master of Science (in 4 health fields) serves as an entry point to the related qualification
Doctoral in Public Health/Ph D serves as an entry point to the related qualification

Master of Medicine in Community Health provides credits for the related qualification
Master of Science (in 4 health fields) provides credits for the related qualification
Doctoral in Public Health/Ph D provides credits for the related qualification

Modules of the M P H are shared by other courses in a host of other faculties and departments.
In future, we intend developing far more cross-accreditation: at this stage, the M P H will accredit modules from many other courses, but the reverse is not yet the case. We intend to develop this latter approach over the next 5 years with virtually all disciplines that may have a bearing on public health: e.g. psychology, sociology, economics, engineering, business management, history, etc.

MODERATION OPTIONS

1. Use of internal multi-disciplinary panel of assessors
2. External examination: local for diploma level: international for M and D levels
3. Comparison with international accreditation mechanisms/bodies
4. Private public health practitioners

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
Any of the following: basic primary qualification with subsequent:
M P H, Master of Medicine in Community Health, M or D degrees in Health Economics, Occupational
Health, social medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, sociology of health

Career experience required:
At least 10 years practical experience in the field of health systems management, evaluation, research, intervention, programme development, international health

Other criteria:
Have international training or experience

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.	University of Pretoria