Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Department/School:
School of Health Systems and Public Health
Plan description: PGDip (Public Health)
Plan code: 10221019
Minimum study duration: 2 years
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 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 qualification 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. Upon achievement of the qualification, a learner will be able to apply public health knowledge, tools, and skills in solving complex problems in healthcare by using a systems approach and evidence-based interventions.
The public health tools of epidemiology and biostatistics will enable learners to measure the health status of populations, plan appropriate interventions and interpret the outcomes of interventions.
Health promotion and primary healthcare knowledge and skills will aid the learner in designing programmes that focus on disease prevention and health promotion while disease control knowledge and skills will ensure that learners are able to use appropriate disease control strategies.
The role of the environment and its influence in the control of diseases will allow the learner an opportunity to understand the holistic approach and the interdependency of environmental and human factors.
Management competencies will allow the learner to be able to use management principles and tools to ensure a functional health system. An evidence-based approach is strengthened by the learners’ opportunity to plan a research project that addresses a gap or need.
Admission Requirements and Closing Dates
- Students can apply any time of the year to enrol for a UPOnline programme.
- UPOnline programmes have 6 start dates throughout the year.
- Applications must be submitted 2 weeks before a start date. Any applications received after this deadline will be considered for the subsequent start date.
- A prospective student should complete only one online application per programme.
- The relevant departments will process the applications as they are received.
Minimum admission requirements:
Relevant Honours degree (NQF level 8)
Or
Relevant 4-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 8) with at least 2 years’ applicable practical work experience
Or
Relevant 3-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) with at least 2 years’ applicable practical work experience
Modules & Credits
Prerequisites:
PHM 710 Learning in public health 710 is a prerequisite for all other modules.
HME 711 Epidemiology and Biostatistics I 711 is a prerequisite for HME 712 Epidemiology and Biostatistics II 712.
These programmes are structured with 6 enrolment opportunities per year where a student will enrol for a single module of either 8 or 16 weeks at a time.
Research report:
Three options for executing the research component are available, select one:
- AHM 710 Research protocol 710
- AHM 715 Public health narrative literature review or policy analysis 715
- AHM 720 Public health operations research 720
CPD points:
Students will receive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for each module completed. All 10-credit modules get 14 CPD points, all 15-credit modules get 18 CPD points, and the 30-credit modules get 21 CPD points.
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Weeks |
| CDC 710 | Principles of disease prevention and control 710 | 10 | 8 |
| EHM 710 | Introduction to environmental health 710 | 10 | 8 |
| SCM 710 | Social determinants of health 710 | 10 | 8 |
| HCM 710 | Principles of health policy and management 710 | 10 | 8 |
| HME 710 | Introduction to research methodology 710 | 10 | 8 |
| PHM 710 | Learning in public health 710 | 10 | 8 |
| HME 711 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics I 711 | 15 | 8 |
| HME 712 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics II 712 | 15 | 8 |
| AHM 710 OR AHM 715 OR AHM 720 | Research Report | 30 | 16 |
| Total offering credits and weeks | 120 | 80 |
- An 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.
Module Information
The full curriculum is displayed below. Choose one of the three Research Report options.
| PGDPH Research Report | |
| Module code | AHM 710, AHM 715 or AHM 720 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | 1. AHM 710 PGDPH Research protocol 710 A formal protocol for study that is feasible and suitable for submission to the ethics and postgraduate committees for an MPH mini-dissertation project. 2. AHM 715 Public health narrative literature review or policy analysis 715 A narrative literature review on an approved public health topic. 3. AHM 720 Public health operations research 720 Selected operations research topics to be addressed through a mixture of online case studies (supplemented by reading materials) and supplemented by an approved workplace-based mini project of an operations research nature (e.g. a small action research project, or analysis of a queuing or inventory problem with recommendations for improvements, etc.) |
| Module credits | 30 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | CDC 710, EHM 710, SCM 710, HCM 710, HME 710, PHM 710, HME 711 and HME 712 |
| Introduction to environmental health 710 | |
| Module code | EHM 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | 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. |
| Module credits | 10 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | PHM 710 |
| Social determinants of health 710 | |
| Module code | SCM 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | 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 |
| Module credits | 10 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | PHM 710 |
| Principles of health policy and management 710 | |
| Module code | HCM 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | 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. |
| Module credits | 10 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | PHM 710 |
| Introduction to research methodology 710 | |
| Module code | HME 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | To learn to “think epidemiologically”. The principles of epidemiology including applied epidemiology. The use of EpiData software for questionnaire design and data collection. Rates ratios and proportions; Basic study designs used in epidemiology (include cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, ecological, RCTs. Also sub-groups such as MCC, Historical cohort, Nested C-C). Validity, repeatability, confounding, effect modification; Sources and types of bias; sampling methods, probabilistic and non-probabilistic; stratified and cluster sampling; designing questionnaires and questionnaire items; calculating odds ratios, relative proportions relative risks and incidence rate ratios and the correct interpretation of these. ID epi (host/agent/environment model, R0, attack rates, outbreak investigations). Clinical epidemiology (sensitivity specificity predictive values). Operational research basic principles only. |
| Module credits | 10 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | PHM 710 |
| Learning in public health 710 | |
| Module code | PHM 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | 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 UPOnline learning platforms. |
| Module credits | 10 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | No prerequisites |
| Epidemiology and biostatistics I 711 | |
| Module code | HME 711 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | This module introduces learners 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 learners to the development and application of statistical reasoning and methods addressing, analysing, and solving problems in public health-, healthcare-, and in biomedical-, clinical- and population-based research. |
| Module credits | 15 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | PHM 710 |
| Epidemiology and biostatistics II 712 | |
| Module code | HME 712 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | This module introduces learners to the application of epidemiology and the statistical procedures and analysis of the most commonly used statistical tests in the field of biostatistics. |
| Module credits | 15 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | HME 711 and PHM 710 |
| Principles of disease prevention and control 710 | |
| Module code | CDC 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Module content | 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”. |
| Module credits | 10 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Health |
| Prerequisites | PHM 710 |
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
Department/School:
School of Public Management and Administration
Plan description: PGDip (Public Management)
Plan code: 07220041
Minimum duration of study: 2 years
This qualification has been designed to provide and enhance the service-oriented professional development of aspiring and/or existing senior management service public officials in the field of public management, by acting as agents of change and by playing a meaningful role in policy and strategy formulation and implementation. The qualification aims to regularise the professional development of public officials through a uniform and standardised management and leadership programme aligned to the management competencies, so that they may improve their performance and productivity in the public sector, and contribute to meeting the national developmental goals of the country. The National School of Government as the official training arm of government responsible for the education and training of public officials gives recognition to this qualification as a public sector-specific qualification.
The qualification will assist students to develop a thorough knowledge of:
- Solving public management problems through innovation and creativity for the public good;
- Strategic thinking and implementation capability;
- Financial management and budgeting according to public service prescripts;
- Teamwork, team leadership, and partnership development and maintenance;
- Personal responsibility and self-motivation as a characteristic of a senior manager; and
- Identifying and addressing ethical issues and behaviour in the public sector.
“Online PGDip in Public Management”00:0000:00
Admission Requirements and Closing Dates
- You can apply any time of the year to enrol for a UPOnline programme.
- UPOnline programmes have 6 start dates throughout the year.
- Applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date. Any applications received after this deadline will be considered for the subsequent start date.
- You should complete only one online application per programme. Once you are admitted into the online programme, you will need to register for your first module. After completion of the first module, you will register for the second one, and so forth until you have successfully completed all the required modules.
- The relevant departments will process the applications on an ongoing basis.
Minimum admission requirements:
Admission into the PGDip Public Management is subject to the University of Pretoria’s General Rules, and the specific requirements for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and the School of Public Management and Administration. In addition, the following minimum requirements will apply:
- Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (NQF Level 7)
or - Advanced Diploma in Public Management (NQF Level 7)
or - Relevant Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7)
or - Relevant Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7)
and - A minimum of 3 years’ appropriate work experience in the public sector.
Modules & Credits
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Weeks* |
| PMA 707 | Governance, Public Management and African Leadership | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 708 | Public Sector Transformation and Reform | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 709 | Programme and Project Management in the Public Sector | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 710 | Advanced Human Resource Management in the Public Sector | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 711 | Advanced Public Financial Management and Budgeting | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 712 | Public Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | 20 | 16 |
| Total offering credits and weeks | 120 | 96 |
* A 16-week module typically consists of 14 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of recess.
Module Information
The full curriculum is displayed below.
| Governance, Public Management and African Leadership 707 | |
| Module code | PMA 707 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content | The concepts of leadership, governance, government and public management are understood and applied in a particular work environment. The legislative framework for governance is evaluated and applied in a work environment. A critical understanding of the relationship between governance, public management and ethics is demonstrated. The implications of the legislative framework towards governance on public management are evaluated. A critical understanding of the ethical and democratic dimensions of administrative activities in state organizations is demonstrated. |
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Public Sector Transformation and Reform 708 | |
| Module code | PMA 708 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content | Concepts of public sector transformation and reform. Areas of public sector reform. Donor-sponsored structural adjustment programmes and administrative reforms. Administrative reform strategies in selected African and/or Commonwealth countries. Public sector transformation, the state and civil society in South Africa. Influences of Global, African and regional positions on the local (SA) transformation context. The South African Constitution and the legislative framework for governance, and its transformational outlook. Issues in public sector transformation and reform in South Africa including gender perspectives. |
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Programme and Project Management in the Public Sector 709 | |
| Module code | PMA 709 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content | Theories and issues shaping contemporary public programme and project management. Programme and project-based public management. Appropriate department arrangements to support programmes and projects. Procedures to manage risks in programmes. Ways to get buy-in to public service projects by top-level political authority and other relevant stakeholders. International trends in programme management. Translation of policy programmes into projects. The value of project management in government. Sponsoring of multiple projects to support project goals. Planning, monitoring and evaluation of specific projects. Project risk management. |
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Advanced Human Resource Management in the Public Sector 710 | |
| Module code | PMA 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content | Design of an integrated human resources management plan. Complexities associated with a diverse workforce. Management of intellectual human capital. Analysis of a high turn-over of staff and staff retention strategies. Coaching and mentoring. Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework for SMS in the public service. Improvement of health and wellness of employees. Performance management. Labour relations. Role of, and relationship between, the employer (the state), the employee and unions in shaping healthy labour relations. |
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Advanced Public Financial Management and Budgeting 711 | |
| Module code | PMA 711 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content | Principles of public finance management. Regulatory framework in the management of an area of responsibility. Process of the financial cycle in the South Africa public sector. Link between planning and budgeting in the South African public sector. Costing of goods and services. Principles of performance management and budget expenditure. Internal control and monitoring budget implementation. Risk management. Supply chain and asset management in the public sector. Financial reporting requirements of the public finance management regulatory framework. Basic analysis of financial information, annual financial statements and audit report. |
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Public Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 712 | |
| Module code | PMA 712 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content | Background to planning and value in performance management and monitoring and evaluation. M&E concepts. Key elements in the M&E systems. Result based M&E versus traditional M&E. Stakeholder engagement. Logical frameworks. M&E indicators. Impact assessment. Presentation and use of evaluation findings. |
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programme | PGDip Public Management |