Master of Public Health (Social Epidemiology)

Description

Social epidemiology is a sub-discipline of epidemiology. In recent decades, it has emerged as a most prominent field under the broader umbrella of public health. It has acquired great eminence as it provides several perspectives on epidemiological research, making it crucial to its mission. It has evolved by refocussing on its traditional perspective with the contemporary methods to understand the social etiology of disease by understanding the social-structural factors as direct causes of diseases.

The Master of Public Health in Social Epidemiology (MPH-SE) program aims to equip students for a career in various fields of public health by providing them an in-depth understanding of the methods and tools of epidemiology grounded in a societal context. Public health is an organized community effort to ensure the health of populations by understanding the social and environmental determinants of health and diseases to prevent diseases and promote health. It allows students to develop more specialized skills in public health and social epidemiology. It will enable the students to gain an understanding of theories and methods of social epidemiology to develop, assess, and critique research in social determinants of health with empirical evidence.

This MPH-SE program is designed to provide the students with a conceptual understanding of the principles and methods of public health practice by imparting the skills required for developing much-needed evidence-based planning, strengthening health systems, and providing technical support to the health programs by diverse agencies. They will be trained to use epidemiology as a tool for studying and monitoring health conditions, assessing health impacts, and scientific policy-making at every facet of public health practice by undertaking meaningful research. They would develop effective public health interventions by addressing social determinants of health.

The MPH-SE degree is awarded after successfully completing all academic requirements for four semesters of the programme. The program includes taught courses, three specifically designed internships, and an extensive research project. As a social epidemiologist, the programme will add value to the career prospects of the graduated students in the varied fields of public health, epidemiology, social epidemiology, community health, health insurance, pharmaceutical sector, health research and academics with the industries, government and health organisations both at national, international levels. They may seek to work with varied portfolios as epidemiologists, social epidemiologists, research analysts or consultants, policy analysts or advisors, program managers, etc., in the field of public health.

Program Objectives:

1. The concepts and principles of public health and epidemiology with a focus on social epidemiology.
2. To demonstrate an ability to use the principles of social epidemiology to analyze the public health issues and needs of the population and apply them in developing public health programs and strategies.
3. To appreciate and imbibe ethical values and principles of human rights in the practice of public health.
4. The relationship between the discourses on global, national, and local public health concepts and approaches and their implications on public health practice.
5. To plan, design and conduct research in the field of public health using social epidemiology perspectives.
6. To develop skills in using social epidemiology principles in public health practice.

Program Outcomes:

1. Apply epidemiological social epidemiological methods and evidence-based Approaches in public health practice.
2. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems of various settings.
3. Assess the health needs of the population, as well as the assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
4. Integrate cultural values and practices to the design or implement public health policies or programs.
5. Design a population-based health policy, program, project, or intervention, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
6. Develop effective strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
7. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs to improve health.
8. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
9. Understand the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
10. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.

Distribution of Credit Hours:

Semesterwise Courses:

Note:

1. The list indicating the total number of credits, list of CBCS/ Swayam courses and semester-wise listing of courses is provisional, and may undergo some changes.
2. As some internships are organized in rural and under-served areas of the country, the internship agencies cannot always ensure the accommodation. In such cases, the students should be prepared to make their own arrangements for accommodation. The organizations decided by the internship coordinators will be final.
3. As per the curricular requirement, the School of Health Systems Studies organizes the internships, and all students are required mandatorily to undergo and complete all the internship requirements.
4. Value-added courses (0 credit) will be compulsory at the end of Semesters I and III (30 hours each or 60 hours total).
5. The exit option is available at the end of Year 1.

Note:The curriculum structure is tentative and subject to change.

Fee Structure:

 *Institute reserves the rights to revise the Fees Structure of programme if necessary.

APPLY NOW