Solve critical public health issues through the University of Pretoria PG Dip in Public Health

The purpose of the online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is to provide an educational opportunity for working professionals for acquiring, strengthening and deepening knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to strengthening health systems and programmes. The online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is intended to achieve a skilled workforce who are able to assess, plan, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate public health programmes, services or interventions at any level of the health system.

The curriculum for the PGDip (Public Health) will comprise of compulsory core modules and a research component. All modules will be offered online.

This fully online offering of the PGDip (Public Health) programme will increase access for busy professionals who render health services to the public. In addition, the inclusion of a research component in the PGDip (Public Health) will ensure articulation into the MPH.

A Postgraduate Diploma is generally multi- or interdisciplinary in nature but may serve to strengthen and deepen the student’s knowledge in a particular discipline or profession. The primary purpose of the qualification is to enable working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in an area of specialisation. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts in order to undertake professional or highly skilled work.

CPD/CEU points:
Postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates: 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points may be claimed at the end of each study year (not exceeding the normal duration of study) and an additional 30 CEUs may be claimed on successful completion of the qualification.

Career Opportunities

The purpose of the online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is to provide an educational opportunity for working professionals for acquiring, strengthening and deepening knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to strengthening health systems and programmes. The online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is intended to achieve a skilled workforce who are able to assess, plan, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate public health programmes, services or interventions at any level of the health system.

Minimum duration of study

2 years fully online

Total credits

120

 

Admission Requirements

  1. A Bachelor’s degree or a qualification listed on the SAQA framework at NQF Level 7

Additional Requirements

Computer literacy

The University of Pretoria makes use of Blackboard, branded as clickUP, which is an online system that provides a workspace for students, providing students with the information and the connections needed. ClickUP contains study material as well as a simple, convenient, and reliable web conferencing and virtual classroom solutions specifically built for education and training. ClickUP is accessible via a web browser mobile device, or tablet and has a useful student guide.

Students are required to have some technical and digital literacy skills such as the ability to:

  • navigate the University’s  eLearning environment (ClickUP);
  • use the email service in the LMS;
  • manage digital files: create, store, upload and attach files to assignment submissions (using applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint);
  • use the Library website or databases for research and make use of proper referencing techniques;
  • use a webcam, upload videos or audio files, use social media for communication or to collaborate electronically; and
  • download and install software and applications.

Pass with Distinction

A diploma is awarded with distinction to a student who has obtained a mark of at least 75% for the externally moderated assessment components as well as a simple (unweighted) average of at least 75% of all the marks for the other required modules for the relevant diploma; excluding PHM 710 Learning in public health 710.

Minimum credits: 120

 

  • PHM 710 must be completed first before registering for any other module.
  • AHM 710 can only be registered for after completing all of the other modules.
  • HME 711 is a prerequisite for HME 712.
  • This programmes is structured with six enrolment opportunities per year where a student will enrol for a single module of either 8 or 16 weeks at a time.
  • A 8 week module typically consists of 7 weeks of teaching and 1 week of recess. A 16 week module typically consists of 14 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of recess.
  • The full curriculum is displayed below.

A formal protocol for study that is feasible and suitable for submission to the ethics and postgraduate committees for an MPH mini-dissertation project. Credits: 30

Students will be presented with an overview of health and disease followed by a set of tools for disease prevention and control. They will especially be encouraged to reflect on the importance of epidemiology and surveillance systems (for disease as well as health and for risk factors). They will be tasked with the application of these tools to the prevention and control of a number of important (for South Africa) health threats, both infectious and non-infectious. The scope will be all disease conditions including psychiatric, trauma, violence, etc in addition to the conventional inclusion of infectious diseases and diseases of lifestyle. There will be a link, too, to the concept of “implications for policy”. Credits: 10

The principles of environmental health. The mechanisms behind the relationship between environmental exposures and the development of disease states. Environmental measures to prevent and control disease, both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Credits: 10

The module provides introductory learning in Health Policy and Management, in a manner suitable for new managers or those who have not had formal management training, sufficient for you to undertake basic management tasks. Whatever field of public health a graduate enters they are likely to have to undertake some management responsibilities. This module aims to provide all graduates with the foundation of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in health policy and management that they will need. Credits: 10

This module introduces the student to the history, philosophy, aims and types of research. The role of theory, specific approaches, designs and methods employed in research are explained. The module includes background to research, choosing a topic, selecting methods and prepares the student for the process of writing a protocol. Credits: 10

This module introduces students to thinking “epidemiologically” and the principles of epidemiology including applied epidemiology. The module introduces software for questionnaire design and data collection. Basic principles such as rates ratios and proportions are explained. Key study designs used in epidemiology include cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, ecological, randomised control trials and sub-groups are introduced. This module introduces students to the development and application of statistical reasoning and methods addressing, analysing, and solving problems in public health-, health care-, and biomedical, clinical-, and population-based research. Credits: 15

This module introduces students to the application of epidemiology and the statistical procedures and analysis of the most commonly used statistical tests in the field of biostatistics.

Credits: 15

The history and scope of public health. The importance of self-motivated deep learning as opposed to passive learning. Learning the value of group work. The use of the internet and the library to research areas of study. The writing of literature reviews and assignments. The avoidance of plagiarism. Improving English writing skills. Elements of human rights and public health ethics. Students will be given assignments involving a short literature search and applied writing practice. They will also learn how to use the internet and its information with discretion, and also how to use the UP on-line learning platforms. Credits: 10

A range of factors that influence health from a social, environmental and economic basis; analysis of the determinants of health problems and related behaviours, their effect on the individual, community and the broader society. Health promotion approaches, strategies and actions to address social determinants. Planning, implementation and evaluation of public health interventions to address social determinants of health. Credits: 10

Annual Increase and Payment Information:

    • Module pricing is subject to change at the start of each year without prior notice.
    • UPOnline tuition fees will increase annually by approximately 5%.
    • The annual increase applies from the March intake, which is the second intake of the year.
    • If the programme fee is paid in full upfront, the student remains responsible for the difference between the initial

payment and the increased amount until programme completion.

    • Any payments made will first be applied to settle any outstanding debt owed to the University of Pretoria.
    • The total programme cost is all-inclusive.
    • Always quote your student number (EMPLID) when making payments.
    • UPOnline follows a ‘Pay as you study’ model – you pay only for the module(s) you register for.
    • Tuition fees are divided into equal payments per module and must be paid upon registration before the start of the

module to ensure continued access to study resources.

  • UPOnline students are not eligible for discounts on tuition fees, and no payment arrangements can be made.

SA/SADC:

Code Module Duration Credits Cost
Core modules
AHM 710 PGDPH Research protocol 710 16 weeks fully online 30.00 R5,780.00
CDC 710 Principles of disease prevention and control 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R5,780.00
EHM 710 Introduction to environmental health 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R5,780.00
HCM 710 Principles of health policy and management 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R5,780.00
HME 710 Introduction to research methodology 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R5,780.00
HME 711 Epidemiology and Biostatistics I 711 8 weeks fully online 15.00 R5,780.00
HME 712 Epidemiology and Biostatistics II 712 8 weeks fully online 15.00 R5,780.00
PHM 710 Learning in public health 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R5,780.00
SCM 710 Social determinants of health 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R5,780.00
Totals 120.00 R52,020.00

International:

Code Module Duration Credits Cost
Core modules
AHM 710 PGDPH Research protocol 710 16 weeks fully online 30.00 R11,560.00
CDC 710 Principles of disease prevention and control 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R11,560.00
EHM 710 Introduction to environmental health 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R11,560.00
HCM 710 Principles of health policy and management 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R11,560.00
HME 710 Introduction to research methodology 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R11,560.00
HME 711 Epidemiology and Biostatistics I 711 8 weeks fully online 15.00 R11,560.00
HME 712 Epidemiology and Biostatistics II 712 8 weeks fully online 15.00 R11,560.00
PHM 710 Learning in public health 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R11,560.00
SCM 710 Social determinants of health 710 8 weeks fully online 10.00 R11,560.00
Totals 120.00 R104,040.00

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