Public Health

Study

Masters in Public Health (MPH)

Programme Coordinators

Programme Director: Professor Mary Codd, Associate Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Programme Co-Director: Professor Patrick Wall, Professor of Public Health & Veterinary Medicine

Programme Objectives

The Masters in Public Health (MPH) is an internationally recognised degree which provides education and training in the core disciplines of Public/Population Health i.e. Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Health Education & Behavioural Sciences, Health Services Administration (Council on Education in Public Health, CEPH). These skills are increasingly important in light of the challenges of providing appropriate, equitable and cost-effective health services in the 21st Century. The perspectives and skills acquired are important to both employers and employees in Public Health.

Following successful completion of the course, the postgraduate student will have acquired the following:

Knowledge of the factors influencing health status.
The epidemiological skills of study design and analysis.
A proper understanding of the Public Health function.
Ability to work as an active team member in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating health policy.
Skills to assess the health status of populations.
Critical appraisal and effective problem-solving attributes.
An understanding of the organisation and financing of Health Services and their impact on population health.
The capacity to integrate a range of disciplines effectively.

Programme Structure

This is a 90 credit taught Masters programme. Each student takes 70 credits of taught modules, of which 55 credits are for core modules and 15 for optional modules (see below). In addition each student undertakes a 20-credit dissertation on an assigned topic.

Students may opt to take a general MPH or one of a number of specialised MPH degrees - see below.

Masters in Public Health (Nutrition)

This specialised MPH degree provides the skills to work in nutrition-related health promotion, in the health service, industry, government departments, education and research in public health nutrition. Applicants should hold a primary degree in a nutrition related subject. Students take the core modules and a selection of modules from the optional list appropriate to their discipline.

Masters in Public Health (International)

This specialised MPH degree provides the skills to work in an international environment, in surveillance, emerging infectious and chronic diseases globally and health policy with international relevance.

Core Modules

Fundamentals of Epidemiology
Biostatistics I
Public Health Practice
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
Sociology & Social Epidemiology
Health Promotion
Introduction to Environmental Science & Health
Principles of Management, Health Economics & Health Policy
Applied Research Methods & Data Management

Optional Modules

Introduction to Diet, Health and Lifestyle
Exercise in the Lifespan
Clinical Trials
Biostatistics II
One Health
Risk Perception, Communication and Behaviour Change
Nutritional Epidemiology
International Health I
International Health II
Genetic Epidemiology

Dissertation

Each candidate must present a 20 credit dissertation on a subject allocated by the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, which shall embody a detailed literature review, analysis of a dataset and a fully elaborated research proposal outline.

Duration of Programme

The full time MPH extends over an academic year (September to July inclusive). There is an option to take the MPH on a part time basis. This can be discussed with the Programme Director.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should hold a primary degree at a minimum of 2nd Class Honours Grade 1 (H2.1) in a relevant discipline. Queries may be directed to the Programme Director. An interview may precede acceptance to the course.

Candidates whose first language is not English and whose primary degree was obtained in a country where English is not the official language of instruction must provide proof of proficiency in English such as IELTS or TOEFL. The original certificate of completion of an English language test must be enclosed with the application. In all cases the test results must not be more than 2 years old. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS REQUIREMENT.

The following are the English language tests and scores accepted by this School:

IELTS [International English Language Testing System–Academic]

Minimum Overall Band Score of 7, with a result NOT LESS than 6.0 in EACH of the individual sections.

Application

Applications are online. (opens in a new window)Apply here.

For more information, please contact:

Postgraduate Administrator
UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science,
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4
Ireland

Tel.: +353 (0)1 716 3429
Fax: +353 (0)1 716 3421

e-mail: (opens in a new window)public.postgraduate@ucd.ie

NB: Information on the MPH programmes is subject to change.

Professional Certificates

(opens in a new window)Professional Certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics