Master of Public Health

Programme profile

The Master of Public Health prepares advanced professionals to promote population health, prevent disease, strengthen health systems and lead evidence-based public health action. The programme combines foundational public health knowledge with epidemiology, health policy, research, social and cultural perspectives, programme design, data analysis and applied field learning.

After completing the shared foundational courses, students specialise in either Epidemiology or Public Health Nutrition. The final semester focuses on independent research through an approved thesis. The programme responds to Somaliland’s priorities in communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, environmental health, disease surveillance, health equity and health-system development.

Admission requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, medicine, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, environmental health, nutrition, medical laboratory sciences, health management or another relevant health-related discipline from a recognised institution.
• A minimum CGPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Fulfilment of any additional requirements established by the University of Hargeisa and relevant regulatory authorities.

What you will learn

• Analyse population-health problems using epidemiological, social and health-system perspectives.
• Design, implement, monitor and evaluate evidence-based public health programmes and interventions.
• Collect, manage, analyse, interpret and communicate quantitative and qualitative health data.
• Conduct surveillance, outbreak investigations and public health assessments.
• Evaluate health policies and systems using appropriate research and evaluation frameworks.
• Integrate ethics, equity, gender, social justice and sustainability into public health practice.
• Conduct independent research and translate evidence into policy and public health action.

Programme content

The programme combines specialist coursework with applied learning and supervised research. The semester-by-semester course structure is shown below.

All students complete Semesters 1 and 2, select one 15-credit specialisation track in Semester 3, and complete the 6-credit thesis in Semester 4. Each student therefore completes 42 credit hours in total.

Students complete one specialisation track. The Epidemiology course-code listing is subject to confirmation by SGS.

Teaching and assessment

The programme uses student-centred and competency-based learning through lectures, seminars, case studies, journal clubs, group exercises, field practice, data-analysis workshops, independent study and supervised research. Assessment includes attendance, assignments, case studies, analytical and field reports, presentations, quizzes, written examinations, research proposals and thesis defence.

Career opportunities

• Public health specialist or officer
• Epidemiologist or disease-surveillance officer
• Public health nutrition specialist
• Health programme manager or coordinator
• Monitoring and evaluation specialist
• Health researcher, policy adviser or consultant
• Health-promotion or health-information officer

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the University of Hargeisa postgraduate admission system. Applicants must complete the application form and upload the required academic and supporting documents before the published deadline. Application dates, tuition fees and document requirements should be confirmed in the current SGS admission announcement.