Public Health Practice
In this module, you will be introduced to core concepts in public health. The module will provide you with a grounding in key theories, principles and methods in public health today.
Key facts
Overview
Public health is what we do as a society to prevent disease, promote health and prolong life. Recent events have reminded us of its central role in all our lives.
In this module, you will be introduced to core concepts in public health. The module will provide you with a grounding in key theories, principles and methods in public health today, alongside up-to-date evidence for the current state of health across the globe.
You will explore:
- national and international mental and physical health challenges;
- population health versus public health;
- determinants of health and health inequalities;
- design and evaluation of public health interventions.
The module is suitable for both novice and experienced public health practitioners or those looking to work in this area. It is taught by experienced researchers in public health and public health policy.
Flexible learning
This short course forms part of the MPH Public Health (Online). You can study other stand-alone continuing professional development (CPD) short courses from this degree:
- Health Behaviours and Behaviour Change
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Public Health Policy
- Public Health Research
If you’re interested in studying more than one module from this course, please email our Admissions team at postgraduate.admissions@stir.ac.uk to discuss your course of study.
Entrance requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent in any subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Objectives
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Summarise the key theories and principles within public health.
- Critically reflect on the evidence for the various health outcomes and determinants of health across the life course.
- Synthesise and critically apply research evidence to the design of complex public health interventions.
- Critically examine different evaluation methods for complex interventions.
- Critically appraise the evidence used to develop national and international public health policies and programmes.
Structure and content
You will be expected to participate in online discussions/problem-solving sessions. Students access electronic learning resources such as podcasts.
Students will be introduced to concepts including, but not limited to, the current physical and mental health burden across various countries, population health vs. public health, the determinants of health and health inequalities, and the design and evaluation of public health interventions.
Indicative content:
- Key principles of public health.
- Public health approaches (e.g. epidemiology, surveillance, evaluation etc).
- Physical and mental health and multimorbidity.
- Determinants of health.
- Health across the life course.
- Design and evaluation of complex interventions.
- Evidence hierarchies and evidence-based public health policy.
Delivery and assessment
The module will be delivered using a range of online approaches including pre-recorded lectures, webinars, reading, quizzes, discussion boards, group work and student presentations.
To pass the module you must pass both assessments A1 (short answer exam) and A2 (essay) with at least 50% for each.
Module coordinator
Agi McFarland
Employability
The module will help you develop an understanding of current public health priorities and areas of work which will be directly applicable to the working environment, either within policy, practice or research settings.
The majority of our students are already working in health or social care prior to commencement and remain employed throughout the duration of their studies.
Our students develop a wide range of transferable skills during their study that makes them attractive to other employers e.g.
- team working,
- IT skills,
- literature searching,
- critical appraisal,
- presentation skills,
- writing and data analysis.
What next?
Contact us
If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.
For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.