Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The MPH-HSDC programme consists of:

• A core of 20 ECTS credits
• Advanced course components (25 ECTS credits)
• A master thesis (15 ECTS credits)

CORE

• Health Systems & Health Policy
• Research Methods in Public Health
• Health Problems & Programmes

ADVANCED TIME SLOT 1

• Health Systems Research Methodology
• Evaluation of Health Programmes

ADVANCED TIME SLOT 2

• Health Policy & Governance
• Multivariable Analysis
• Qualitative and Mixed Methods in International Health Research

ADVANCED TIME SLOT 4

• Social Protection for Health
• Data for Action
• Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV: beyond Silos

ADVANCED TIME SLOT 5

• Health Systems Performance Analysis
• Outbreak Investigations and Research
• Non-communicable Diseases

ADVANCED TIME SLOT 6

• Health Systems Strengthening
• Sustainable Approaches to Infectious Disease Control and Elimination
• Global Health

ADVANCED ONLY FOR PART-TIME TRACKS

• Pharmaceutical policies in health systems (5 ECTS credits)
• Write your paper based on Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data on sexual, reproductive and child health (5 ECTS credits)
• Short Course in Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine (9 ECTS credits)
• Hospital-based Interventions to Contain Antibiotic Resistance in Low-resource Settings (5 ECTS credits)
• Clinical Decision-Making for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (5 ECTS credits)

THESIS

• Thesis (15 ECTS credits)

FLEXIBILITY

The structure of the MSc PH allows students to build a tailor-made study plan. A provisional study plan is part of the application file. Students have to choose:

• A study track: full-time or part-time
• The core course and a set of advanced course components
• A thesis topic

STUDY TRACK (full/part-time)

Students can opt for a full-time (one year) study track at ITM or spread the programme over a period of maximum 5 years in the part-time study track alternating study and work periods. Applicants for the full-time track need to have at least 2 years of relevant public health experience prior to application. Applicants for the part-time track need to have at least 6 months of relevant public health experience prior to application.

CORE COURSE (20 ECTS credits)

The core course consists of 3 course components. Detailed descriptions are available via the links in the course programme structure above.

The core course aims at the development of competencies in the domains of health systems and policy, health problems/programmes, and research methods, each covered by one course component. The students are expected to build on their experience in the application of concepts, frameworks and methods to analyse (local) health systems and health programmes.

Holders of the ITM postgraduate certificates Research Approaches and Challenges in International Health or Tropical Medicine and International Health, the former ITM credit certificate Introduction to International Health or an equivalent certificate from another higher education institution, can register for the MSc PH full- or part-time track, and be exempted from the 3 core course components, provided they have the relevant professional experience and diploma. As a general rule, the validity of the credits of above stated courses are limited to five years, starting from the 1st September following the month in which the credit certificate was awarded. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

ADVANCED COURSE COMPONENTS (25 ECTS credits)

The second part of the programme consists of a number of 14 ACC’s (full-time or part-time track) and 4 additional ACC’s (only for part-time track) and are listed under the course programme structure. They are organised face-to-face at ITM and have a duration of 3 weeks. Each ACC corresponds to 5 ECTS credits or 150 hours of student investment time. The MPH course calendar is divided into time slots of 3 weeks. Each time slot has 3 courses in parallel. Please read the course component descriptions carefully (click on the hyperlinks).

The offer of the advanced course components (ACCs) reflects the methodological and thematic expertise domains of the Public Health department at ITM. The ACCs allow the students to acquire advanced methodological competencies and apply these methods to specific thematic domains.

The ACC part starts in January with two timeslots with methodological courses. These are followed by two timeslots of courses on specific areas or themes. The ACCs of the last timeslot aim at the integration of taught concepts and methods; participants can opt for the ACC “Health Systems Strengthening”, “Sustainable Approaches to Infectious Disease control and Elimination” or Global Health”.

Students are expected to choose a coherent combination of methodological and thematic subjects in function of their learning needs and thesis topic. The resulting study plan should fit within the scope of the MSc PH learning outcomes.

For the selection of advanced course components, the following criteria are to be taken into account: 

• Candidates must select a preferred course component (CC) for each time slot as part of their (preliminary) study plan at the time of application, and motivate their choice according to their career goals, learning needs, planned thesis subject or other relevant reasons.
• Students are asked to develop a balanced study plan with methodological and thematic content.
• Previously earned credits (before registration in the MSc PH) from ITM short courses can be accepted if relevant for the study plan.
• Once admitted, students can adjust their choices after discussion with the course coordinator and/or thesis coach. A final study plan will be agreed upon before the start of the advanced course components.
• The MSc PH calendar of advanced course components may be subject to change.

Part-time track students can also choose course components from the broader course offer of ITM (see course programme structure) and/or can opt for credit mobility and follow course components (modules) at other higher education institutions, via:

• Accredited courses offered in the international TropEd network http://www.troped.org/
• Relevant NVAO-accredited courses organised by Flemish/Dutch universities

Students of the part-time track can include a maximum of 10 credits via e-learning and/or a maximum of 10 credits via above indicated non-ITM based course offer.

THESIS (15 ECTS credits)

The thesis counts for 15 credits. All students write a thesis and defend it at the end of the academic year in front of the international examination board. The programme provides the students with time for thesis writing in time slot 3 (2 weeks), time slot 4 (1 week), time slot 5 (1 week) and time slot 7 (4,5 weeks).

The students will select their thesis topic in line with the programme learning outcomes, personal interests and experience. On application, the MSc PH candidates are requested to include a draft thesis outline. Admitted students will revise their thesis outline during the core course of the MSc PH programme. Each student will work closely with a thesis coach who will support her/his thesis project and writing process. Students get additional support for data analysis, literature review and presentation skills.

During the thesis writing, students integrate knowledge, methods and skills acquired during the programme. It allows them to collect, analyse and use primary and/or secondary, quantitative and/or qualitative data as well as carry out literature reviews. They gain the ability to critically appraise their results and personal experiences and reflect on a way forward.

For more detailed information please read the description of the thesis under the Programme Structure above.

Our teaching and learning model is based on interaction, exchange of experiences between participants and staff, and critical reflection on multiple perspectives of contemporary challenges in health. Studying in Antwerp facilitates the student to take a temporary distance from their professional and personal activities, zoom out and explore new ideas. The learning objectives reflect this vision, which also requires selecting relatively small groups of students with diverse backgrounds and lecturers from North and South, with relevant expertise and field experience.

The MSc PH lecturers adopt methods that emphasize an active learning approach. The teaching and learning methods consist of interactive lectures and various student-centred individual learning activities, such as exercises to apply concepts and critically reflect on perspectives computer practice for data analysis and information retrieval, and assignments focusing on presenting and writing skills. In addition, students are often put in small groups to prepare exercises and discussions on case studies or papers; these are followed by plenary presentations and discussion. For some topics, debates are organised. All course components include individual or group assignments with some degree of individual or collective coaching.

Beyond scheduled contact hours, personal study time is systematically scheduled for preparatory work (engage in reading, watch relevant videos, or participate in discussions/reflections), fulfilment of assignments or self-directed learning (to address gaps or explore further on chosen topics).

Reflection and exchange on prior experience is strongly stimulated at different stages of the programme. Personal assignments, for instance, focus on professional experience and require students to apply concepts, analyse problems, and develop problem-solving competencies within familiar contexts (contextualization). Special focus is also given to cultivating transversal competencies, like communication, teamwork, peer feedback, critical thinking, and reflexivity.

We emphasize the importance of face-to-face learning to foster interaction, but we make use of technology-enhanced learning when appropriate. All teaching materials, including theme-specific readers, are available on the learning management platform Moodle.