External summary

Public Health is the science and art of ensuring that the efforts of society are organised to prevent disease, prolong life, promote health and reduce health inequalities. This online distance learning programme will provide a parallel to the on-campus taught MPH degree currently offered by CPHS, which builds on our long history in, and an excellent reputation for, taught post graduate training in public health sciences. The programme is designed for those who wish to gain an appreciation of how different scientific disciplines can be used to structure enquiry and develop the knowledge base for research and professional practice in epidemiology, public health and social science in health. Students on the programme benefit from teaching by academics and NHS professionals embedded within a wide community of health research, with the University of Edinburgh at its hub. MPH graduates go on to careers in research and academic environments, professional public health services, clinical epidemiology, health technology assessment, public health protection and a wide range of national and international organisations concerned with preventing disease and improving the health of populations.

Educational aims of programme

The overall function of Public Health is to improve and protect the public’s health and reduces health inequalities between individuals, groups, and communities, through coordinated system-wide action. The programme is designed to provide an entry point to either the public health profession or public health research for those new to the subject, but also to provide sufficient depth for the benefit of existing public health professionals. The range of teaching reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the subject.
The Master of Public Health (online) programme aims to equip students with evidence-based conceptual and practical tools, to take a critical interdisciplinary approach to public health challenges. The education offered is relevant to a range of professionals and researchers and the objectives are to:

• fulfil the knowledge and research training needs of those wishing to address the contemporary challenges of public health
• develop an awareness of applications and implications of public health theories and research
• develop the ability to think critically and creatively about public health issues and their inter-relatedness
• develop research skills in qualitative and quantitative disciplines
• provide leadership to drive improvement in health outcomes and the reduction of health inequalities

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Students should develop a broad perspective on the different disciplines within public health, as well as greater expertise within particular areas. The compulsory courses within the taught portion of the programme provide for the development of the former, with optional courses providing the latter. Teaching methods vary within different subject areas, as do assessment methods, but there is an emphasis on essay, critical appraisal and participation in discussion boards to test knowledge and understanding.
In the final year, students have the option of either a full dissertation or a short practicum (Student-Led Individually Created Course or SLICC) both of which serve to provide students with an opportunity to integrate the learning gained in the Master of Public Health courses, and apply it to address problems and challenges in the real world.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates of the programme should understand the range of methodologies available to answer different questions in Public Health, be familiar with the process of the critical appraisal of research, understand key issues in undertaking health research and be familiar with principles of evidence synthesis. All these options are covered within the range of compulsory and optional courses within the MPH. They should also have experience of carrying out research first hand, via the dissertation component of the programme, if they opt for this programme pathway. Alternatively, if opting for a SLICC, they have an opportunity to apply relevant public health skills and approaches gained during the MPH teaching to effectively and critically explore a chosen public health issue.

Online tutors play an important role in challenging students’ assertions, questioning the validity of arguments and insisting on the rigorous use of evidence, in order to develop students’ abilities to think critically and analytically.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of the programme will be able to work independently and critically, informed by knowledge of key public health principles and an understanding of the scientific and ethical frameworks of their areas of interest.

The online, discussion-based format of the programme is particularly well suited to developing personal and intellectual autonomy: from the beginning, students are encouraged to find their own materials and bring these to the weekly debate to share with colleagues. Discussions are facilitated by tutors but are allowed to develop in the directions decided by students. Students’ contributions to discussions (for example, the extent to which they introduce new ideas and materials and their engagement with ideas raised by others) are assessed throughout the programme.

In both the dissertation (final reflective element) and the SLICC, students are required to undertake self-assessment during which they critically review, evaluate and reflect upon their knowledge, skills and practices in public health. They are asked to demonstrate how they have used their experiences to develop their mindset, in specific graduate attributes.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

In terms of the proportion of overall marks, the most important assessment element of this programme is the course written assignment. Rigorous assessment criteria are applied and extensive feedback is given in order to coach students to achieve high standards of written academic English.

Graduates will develop their experience of, and confidence in, written presentation of key concepts and research findings in public health, as well as developing skills in critical appraisal and evidence synthesis. These aspects are central to activity in Public Health, and are present throughout the teaching and assessment of the programme, via written work, course presentations, core teaching and the dissertation.

Assessment of students’ participation in weekly online discussions forms a substantial part of each student’s overall assessment. Students are encouraged to engage sensitively and constructively with colleagues in order to create new understanding. The online, asynchronous structure of this programme means that the emphasis is on written, rather than oral, communication. Whilst initially very challenging for students whose first language is not English, the requirement for ongoing interaction in written English via the online discussion boards quickly develops students’ fluency and confidence. Online collaboration with others through assessed group work, which is a feature of some of the constituent courses of this programme, develops students’ ability to further their own learning through collaboration with others.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Exposure to the range of disciplines and individuals that constitute the programme will assist graduates in adopting flexible approaches to learning and professional life, as well as increasing their understanding of societal differences and challenges in the public health area.

Throughout the programme, students are constantly challenged by the experiences and views of colleagues from very different national and professional backgrounds. This requires sensitivity and respectfulness, but also develops assertiveness in students and the ability to put across their own point of view whilst respecting the views of others. Tutors actively develop these skills by critical questioning and challenging students to defend their positions.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Not Applicable

Programme structure and features

Modes of study – This programme is part-time and is delivered entirely online (PG Cert – 1 Year, PG Dip – 2 years, MPH – 3 years)

Progression requirements

In order to progress to the third (Masters) year, students must pass at least 80 credits at SCQF level 11 with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which make up these credits; and attain an average of at least 50% for the 120 credits of study examined at the point of decision for progression.

Exit Awards

Students will be able to exit with an award (PG Cert, PG Dip, MPH) at various stages of the programme.

We propose the following arrangements for the award of exit degrees:

- Award of PG Certificate: In order to be awarded the PG Certificate students must pass at least 40 credits at SCQF level 11 with a mark of at least 40%; and attain an average of at least 40% for the 60 credits of study examined for the PG Certificate.
- Award of PG Diploma: In order to be awarded the PG Diploma students must pass at least 80 credits at SCQF level 11 with a mark of at least 40%; and attain an average of at least 40% for the 120 credits of study examined for the PG Diploma.
- Award of MPH: In order to be awarded a masters degree students must attain an additional 60 credits, either by achieving a mark of at least 50% for the 60 credit dissertation or project component, or by passing at least 120 credits at SCQF level 11 with a mark of at least 50% and attaining an average of at least 50% for the 180 credits of study examined for the masters. Hence the same standards would apply to students choosing to do 60 credits worth of courses in the third year, as to students doing the 60 credit dissertation.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

The programme uses a selection of teaching methods, including the following:

• Online lectures
• Synchronous tutorials (e.g. via Collaborate)
• Discussion board participation
• Individual and group projects and presentations
• Dissertation
• Reflective reports (during the Student-Led Individually Created Course or SLICC)
• One to one meetings with personal tutors/directors of studies/supervisors

The approaches encountered will depend on the specific optional courses chosen. Students will have opportunities to receive feedback from staff and tutors during the small group teaching, on the discussion boards, and on all their assessed written assignments.

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often takes the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

The programme contains a wide range of (often subject-specific) assessment tasks;

• Online self-assessed quizzes
• Online self-assessed written exercises with model answers
• Moderated online group discussions
• Peer- and tutor-assessed online group activities
• Essays
• Research Project
• Reflective writing

The assessment strategy for the MPH relies upon a combination of methods to meet the full range of aims and learning objectives and draw maximum advantage from the variety of teaching approaches employed. The assimilation of knowledge, capacity to apply that knowledge and ability to engage critically with evidence will be gauged primarily through course written assignments and online assessed group discussions. Some courses will also employ group based assessments, requiring joint submissions and peer evaluation. Formative feedback will be provided through online group discussions and feedback on assessed work will be provided via GradeMark, in the LEARN VLE.

During the final year, students opting for the dissertation route will develop their independent learning skills and will be assessed principally by a research project (worth 60 credits). Alternatively, those opting for a course work only Masters will undertake a 20 credit SLICC and choose 40 credits of elective courses.

Career opportunities

The education offered aims to be relevant to a range of professionals and researchers, and to fulfil the knowledge and research training needs of those wishing to address the contemporary challenges of public health. The programme prepares postgraduate students for, or adds considerable value to, careers in:

• research and academic environments,
• professional public-health service,
• clinical epidemiology,
• health technology assessment,
• public-health protection and
• a wide range of national and international organisations concerned with preventing disease and improving the health of populations.

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