MPH (Master of Public Health)

Last Updated on July 30, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Hi readers! In this post, we will deal with a PG level course related to the field of public health. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of Master of Public Health course.

This course is also known by the short name of MPH. It is a job oriented Master’s Degree course. You may also check – paramedical courses in India.

 

In this post, you will find all the important details that you need to know about MPH course. Here, you will find the following details – duration, eligibility criteria, colleges, syllabus, admission process, fees and career prospects.

 

Here is a quick overview of MPH course –

Name of the course	MPH (Master of Public Health)
Type of course	Master’s Degree
Field	Public health sciences
Duration	2 years
Eligibility	Completed relevant Bachelor’s Degree course

 

MPH is a Master’s Degree course. Technically, it is a postgraduate level course. It is an ideal PG course for those who want to build a decent career in public healthcare sector. You may also check – medical courses in India.

 

What is MPH course all about, you may ask. What is it like to pursue this course? Will I get a good job after completing this course? What is the course content like?

 

You will find answers to these questions in the next section. Let us start –

 

MPH (Master of Public Health): An Introduction

MPH stands for Master of Public Health. Just go through the name of the course – it will reveal many details about this academic program!

 

First of all, it is quite evident that this is a Master’s Degree course. Looking from academic level’s point of view, it is a PG level course. PG stands for postgraduate level.

 

As the name suggests, this course deals with the domain of public health services. This academic program also deals with its allied areas.

 

What is public health science all about, you may ask. Here is everything you need to know about this domain –

 

In simple terms, public health science deals with activities such as prevention of diseases, promoting human health and prolonging human life (at various levels – society, organizations, individual, public and private) through organized efforts and planning.

 

Public health not just about prevention of diseases! It also deals with ensuring physical, psychological and social well-being of human population.

 

MPH course will train candidates in different areas of public health science. Since it is a PG level course, the course content will be far more advanced than UG level public health science programs.

 

MPH is an ideal PG level course for BPH graduates. Technically, Graduates hailing from any branch are eligible to pursue this course.

 

But looking from continuity, knowledge advancement and career advancement’s point of view, graduates hailing from the following disciplines will benefit from this program – medicine, dentistry, nursing, paramedical sciences and social work.

 

By pursuing MPH course, graduates hailing from the above mentioned branches may further develop their skill-set. They may also acquire advanced knowledge on the field of public health science.

 

Let us take a closer look at the course details. In the next section, you will find the following details – duration, eligibility, colleges, syllabus and admission process. Let us start –

 

Course details

 

Type of course

It is a Master’s Degree course.

 

Duration

The academic program is two years long.

 

Eligibility criteria

Minimum educational qualification required to pursue this course is – completed Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized college/University.

 

Colleges

Here are some of the popular colleges offering this course in India –

• GU
• UM
• MGU
• SU
• Parul University
• VNSGU

 

Admission process

Admission Process may vary from one institute to another. Some institutes are known to conduct merit based admission process. Some other institutes are known to conduct direct admission process.

 

Fees

Tuition fees depends upon the following factors – type of college (Government or self-financing), scholarship status of the student, rating of the college etc. On an average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 40-100K INR per year.

 

You may also check – B.Sc. Community Health

 

Syllabus

Here are some of the core subjects present in the curriculum –

• Basics of public health
• Anatomy
• Pathology
• Epidemiology
• Work safety
• Nutrition science
• Communicable diseases
• Non-communicable diseases
• Health education
• Communication skills
• Public health policy
• Public health economics
• Public health laws and ethics

 

Career prospects

Public health workers are usually hired by hospitals, clinics, rural healthcare centers, community healthcare centers, urban primary healthcare centers, NGOs etc. They are also hired by public health schemes, missions and programs created by the Govt (Central and State).