Online Masters in Public Health
The Masters in Public Health from Edinburgh Napier University emphasises meeting real-world challenges such as complex interventions, multi/interdisciplinary workings and health improvement initiatives that have a s strong focus on evaluation and implementation of Social, Community and Personal Health policies. This approach supports future Public Health practices underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based knowledge and sound theory to understand Public Health and Practice within a Global context.
The Online Masters in Public Health is relevant to professionals aiming to develop careers within public health as well as for those wishing to promote the health of the public as part of their current professional role. The degrees takes a practical and applied approach to equip students with the relevant transferable professional skills, academic skills and practical skills to practice in a manner towards optimising the health and well being of individuals and the community, i.e., dealing with epidemics, pandemics, prolonging life and reducing health inequalities through the implementation of a broad range of interventions.
On successful completion of this programme, students will have the knowledge, understanding and skills to gain postgraduate-level employment in the field of public health practice in either a core public health role or in your field of practice with a wider public health focus. Alternatively, students may be eligible to apply to doctoral-level study in a public health related area at the University or to seek entry to doctoral-level study at another higher education institution.
The Online Masters in Public Health from Edinburgh Napier University is delivered fully online and supported by the University’s virtual learning platform, which is moderated and facilitated by academic experts in the field of study. This allows students on this programme the opportunity to synthesise and critique research evidence, which can then be further explored critically in the context of International public health policies and practices.
Benefits of the Online Masters in Public Health
Throughout your study you will be supported by influential academics with strong and established research records, world-class publications and public health experience. The MPH programme is delivered online, allowing you the flexibility to pursue the qualification while working. Additionally, the module choices allow you to create a tailored programme that suits your interests and goals within public health.
On completion of the Online Masters in Public Health, you will be equipped with expert knowledge and different perspectives from across research, policy and practice, focused on local, national and globally relevant contemporary public health issues.
Career Path after an Online Masters in Public Health
Based on the area of interest within Public Health, MPH graduates may go on to hold senior positions, such as :
- Health Policy Advisor
- Public Health Advisor
- Substance Misuse Worker
- Health Improvement Practitioner
- Public Health Nutritionist
- Environmental Scientist
- Health/Education Advisor
Academic Progression after a Masters in Public Health
Graduates from the Masters in Public Health can pursue a Doctorate degree or PhD.
To apply you will need a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in a Health or Health Sciences related subject.
Other qualifications/experience which demonstrate through our recognition of prior learning process that you have appropriate knowledge and skills may be considered on an individual basis.
English language Requirements
- If your first language isn’t English, you’ll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 with no individual component score of less than 6.0. For other English language tests, please contact a Stafford Higher Education Consultant for more information.
Principles and Theory of Public Health for Health Improvement
This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding in relation to the key principles and theories underpinning public health and how these apply to public health practice for health improvement. This will include an overview of the history of public health and the current theoretical frameworks. The principles of health needs assessment will be examined. The importance of public health policies as well as factors influencing the formulation of public health policies will be explored. Additionally, you will critically explore the impact of social determinants of health and wellbeing and reflect upon the extent to which public health practice is evidence based.
Learning Outcomes for module:
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
LO1: Critically analyse and evaluate theoretical frameworks and principles in relation to a range of public health issues
LO2: Critically evaluate the impact of social determinants on health and wellbeing and the implementation of public health policy and reflect on the extent to which public health practice is evidence based
LO3: Critically analyse and evaluate the application of the principles of health needs assessment to public health practice
LO4: Distinguish between different health promotion strategies and justify their application to public health practice at the individual and population level
Applied Epidemiology
This module aims to enable you to critically appreciate the interdependencies between public health policy drivers (including epidemiological evidence and other public health intelligence information) and the varied dimensions of resultant health policy responses; critically explore the principles, practice and context of epidemiological research applications in public health policy and intervention contexts; critically evaluate aspects of the knowledge transfer process in relation to public health policy formation, including the creation, organisation, function and diffusion of public health responses.
Learning Outcomes for module:
LO1: Critically analyse the role of epidemiological technologies in examining trends and patterns in population health, and the local and global distribution of disease.
LO2: Critically debate the political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental contexts for protecting health and preventing ill health locally, nationally and globally
LO3: Critically consider the complexities of public health intelligence and epidemiological knowledge transfer within the public health policy arena and appreciate the ethical, quality and governance implications in relation to data derived from public health investigation/surveillance data
LO4: Engage in critical reflection upon the progress of epidemiological learning development in relation to public health practice
Leadership and collaborative working in Public Health (20 credits)
This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding in relation to the theories and models of leadership and management relevant to public health. You will explore theories of leadership, collaboration and partnership and their implications for health improvement in public health settings. Different public health contexts including community development, health promotion projects, health services and emergency planning will be explored. You will reflect on learning needs in relation to skills for collaborative leadership for service improvement. You will also critically consider other models for planning, implementing, leading and evaluating public health projects in a range of contexts.
Learning Outcomes for module:
LO1: Critically analyse and evaluate leadership and management theories which work to improve public health
LO2: Demonstrate critical understanding of public health leadership and collaborative working in different contexts i.e. community development, health promotion projects, health services and emergency planning
LO3: Distinguish and explore between different models for planning, implementing, leading and evaluating public health projects and justify their application to public health practice at the individual and population level
LO4: Evaluate strategies that enhance critical skills in facilitating, negotiating and influencing public health approaches and the contribution made by a range of disciplines and professionals to the development and provision of public health services for health improvement .
Contemporary Global Issues in Public Health (40 credits)
This module aims to examine contemporary global health issues as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO 2020). Its aim is to equip you to develop critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of the issues that impact on global health. By global health we mean health issues impacting across the world including locally, regionally and nationally in Scotland and the UK.
You will critically examine the evidence that may inform solutions to global health challenges by applying the principles of public health policy. Issues pertaining to health practice, the law and related human and equality rights will be critically examined to explore how they impact on both individuals and communities with respect to particular health needs.
Our focus on public health issues will encompass both communicable and non-communicable diseases; from a primary, secondary and tertiary prevention perspective. Examples of topics include HIV, COVID, obesity, drug and alcohol addiction, and domestic violence. For communicable diseases we will also include public health practices in surveillance, infection control and outbreak management. We will also explore examples of the public health impact of disasters on communities and a range of associated public health responses to the management of these.
Throughout this module you will review the role of public healthcare professionals as part of a wider disciplinary team and critically analyse the value of the wider team(s) considering how this collaborative approach can positively impact on public health issues in a variety of situations.
Learning Outcomes for module:
After engaging in this module, you will be able to: –
LO 1: Critically debate global public health challenges and their impact on populations/communities in context
LO2: Critically analyse and evaluate how public health intelligence is gathered and used to inform global public health policy and practice.
LO3: Critically consider a specific communicable or non-communicable disease and an evidence based public health response at primary secondary and tertiary level
LO4: Critically appraise how a collaborative public health response can maximise public health outcomes for specific populations/communities
LO5: Critically evaluate current research and practice regarding the prevention, treatment, and control of infections worldwide.
Contemporary Global Issues in Public health (Continued from Tri 3)
This module aims to examine contemporary global health issues as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO 2020). Its aim is to equip you to develop critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of the issues that impact on global health. By global health we mean health issues impacting across the world including locally, regionally and nationally in Scotland and the UK.
You will critically examine the evidence that may inform solutions to global health challenges by applying the principles of public health policy. Issues pertaining to health practice, the law and related human and equality rights will be critically examined to explore how they impact on both individuals and communities with respect to particular health needs.
Our focus on public health issues will encompass both communicable and non-communicable diseases; from a primary, secondary and tertiary prevention perspective. Examples of topics include HIV, COVID, obesity, drug and alcohol addiction, and domestic violence. For communicable diseases we will also include public health practices in surveillance, infection control and outbreak management. We will also explore examples of the public health impact of disasters on communities and a range of associated public health responses to the management of these.
Throughout this module you will review the role of public healthcare professionals as part of a wider disciplinary team and critically analyse the value of the wider team(s) considering how this collaborative approach can positively impact on public health issues in a variety of situations.
Learning Outcomes for module:
After engaging in this module, you will be able to: –
LO 1: Critically debate global public health challenges and their impact on populations/communities in context
LO2: Critically analyse and evaluate how public health intelligence is gathered and used to inform global public health policy and practice.
LO3: Critically consider a specific communicable or non-communicable disease and an evidence based public health response at primary secondary and tertiary level
LO4: Critically appraise how a collaborative public health response can maximise public health outcomes for specific populations/communities
LO5: Critically evaluate current research and practice regarding the prevention, treatment, and control of infections worldwide.
(Continued from Tri 3)
Research Methods (20 credits)
This module aims to enable you to critically appreciate the value of empirical literature, research design and data interpretation, relating to public health. The module will provide further knowledge on the critical appraisal of evidence from published literature, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, structured literature reviewing, ethics, data collection and analysis. The intention is for you to be able to discriminate between different research methodologies suitable to answer specific pertinent public health questions
Learning Outcomes for module:
On completion of the module, you will be able to:
LO1: Critically analyse the elements of the research process and apply this to generate a research idea (question)
LO2: Critically reflect upon the main differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches and methodologies and critically evaluate components that comprise each method
LO3: Critically reflect upon the purpose and function of a literature review and demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise information retrieval skills and plan a review of the literature
LO4: Critically analyse and evaluate published research that relates to relevant subject areas and reflect the main theories and concepts that inform safe and ethical research practice
Dissertation (60 credits over 2 Trimesters)
The master’s dissertation is a cumulation of your learning and knowledge gained from undertaking the modules during your master’s journey to independently carry out a piece of research, either through conducting a literature review, original primary research (small scale study) or writing of a substantial research proposal (that can be taken forward for doctoral study) on a topic aligned to public health and your research interests.
Module Content: Skills resources online via Moodle
• How to choose your research topic and develop an original research question (L01)
• How to choose an appropriate and feasible research design in order to answer your research question? (LO1)
• How to develop a literature search strategy (L02)• Critical appraisal of literature using standardised tools (L02)
• How to navigate ethical and research governance issues (LO3)
• Methods of data collection/extraction (L04)
• Analysis and synthesis of data (L04)
• Writing up your project (L05)
Learning Outcomes for module:
LO1: Formulate an appropriate research question that addresses a gap in the evidence base
L02: Critique and identify an appropriate study design method to answer the research question
L03 Search and critically appraise the literature using appropriate and rigorous methods
L04: Critically reflect on and address ethical and research governance issues, in relation to the proposed methods of data collection and analysis for the study
LO5: Critique the implications of the proposed research for public health policy, practice and/or education