University of Ghana UG Public Health
The School of Public Health (SPH) was established in 1994, in response to a growing demand for a cadre of Public Health Practitioners who will provide leadership in Public Health reforms in the country primarily to train Public Health Practitioners.
The training enables these highly trained health professionals perform effectively at District, Regional and National levels within governmental, quasi-governmental, non-governmental and private organizations. Over the years, the school has introduced new programmes as its effort at meeting the specialized skills needed for the transformation of the health sector. The programs are also available to non-health personnel whose activities have an impact on the environment and public health.
At SPH we believe that properly trained Public Health personnel will offer technical leadership in critical disciplines such as Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Health Informatics and e-Health, Environmental hazards and related-diseases, Occupational Health, Social & Behavioural Sciences, Training Research and Planning and in the implementation of specific disease control programmes such as Malaria, AIDS, non-communicable diseases and neglected tropical diseases.
The Philosophy of the school is ‘School of Public Health Without Walls’. The philosophy attempts to achieve an ‘optimum mix’ of classroom and field-work.
Our mission is to train Public Health Practitioners who will be leaders and change agents for health development in Ghana in particular and in the wider African context.
University of Ghana School of Public Health Admissions
The School admits students to its postgraduate programmes annually in-line with the general admission procedures of the University. Application to the Bachelor’s programme however, is currently limited to workers of the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service. Refer to the Graduate Admissions section of the University website for application procedures. All applicants may be required to take an aptitude test and attend an interview. The following are some entry requirements for each programme. This is however subject to change.
Bachelor of Public Health
A diploma in health or related sciences and an FGPA (or equivalent) of 3.2 or better awarded by University of Ghana, institutions recognized by (or affiliated to) the University of Ghana and institutions under the Ministry of Health, Ghana. Applicants with Diplomas awarded by institutions other than those indicated above may be considered eligible on recommendation by a special committee to be appointed by the Dean. The committee shall assess the candidate’s transcripts and the course content of the diploma to determine the suitability of his/her previous training and make recommendations accordingly, to the Dean. All shortlisted candidates take an entrance exam and also attend a selection interview. Those who satisfy the requirements for admission enter at Level 200 (2nd year).
Master of Public Health
Good first degree in a relevant discipline. Considerable working experience (3 years or more) in health would be an advantage.
Master of Health Informatics
Applicants must have a good first degree in any major areas of study preferably mathematical, statistical, IT, health or biomedical sciences. Applicants should have a strong quantitative background as evidenced by their previous course work and some computing experience.
Master of Science in Applied Health Social Science
Social science graduates with good first degrees who are health service providers or managers. Candidates should have preferably at least 3 years working experience.
Master of Science in Clinical Trials
Applicants should have a good first degree in a science discipline from a recognised university, preferably with 3 years (or more) relevant working experience. Applicants must also have a background or interest in Public Health.
MPhil in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control
Good first degree (minimum of 2ndClass Upper) in a relevant discipline preferably with at least 3 years relevant working experience. Candidates with an MPH, MSc, MBChB or equivalent are also eligible. Candidates should have a background or interest in public health.
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health
Applicants without relevant Masters Level course/research work or with Master’s degree/coursework in a different subject area from the proposed PhD programme would be required to take such courses during the first year to make up their deficiencies before progressing to the PhD programme. Such conversions shall be based on a recommendation from the Head of Department and supervisory team.
University of Ghana School of Public Health Programs
Undergraduate Programs
The Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) program, currently the only undergraduate programme in the School, commenced in 2010 in response to the need for adequately trained mid-level technical and leadership capacity for the Ghanaian health sector. The BPH programme is designed to offer opportunities for these mid-level health professionals, originally with diplomas or certificates, to upgrade themselves. It also serves as opportunity for continuing professional development. The programme has been designed with the following specializations (tracks):
- Health Information Management
- Epidemiology and Disease Control
- Public Health Nutrition
- Health Promotion
- Public Health Nursing
- Environmental Health
Duration:
3 years full-time for Level 200 entrants
The oldest academic programme in the School which is also the most subscribed is designed to prepare students for Public Health practice and research through the following areas of specialization:
- Biological Basis of Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Epidemiology and Disease Control
- Health Policy, Planning and Management.
- Population, Family and Reproductive Health
- Social and Behavioural Sciences
Duration:
1 year full-time
Masters in Health Informatics
Health informatics is an inter-disciplinary field emphasizing the application of information science and technology to public health practice, research and teaching. This programme is, therefore, designed to provide capacity building that combines knowledge of current application of computers in the health field with a broad appreciation of the issues involved in the management and use of health information systems.
Duration:
1 year full-time
Master of Science in Applied Health Social Sciences
Applied Health Social Sciences is a new interdisciplinary field which emphasizes the application of the entire range of Health Social Science disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Anthropology to Public Health and the application of Social Science research methodologies and Implementation Research to promote health and well-being.
Duration:
1 year full-time
Master of Science in Clinical Trials
The programme provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the issues involved in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of randomized controlled trials of health interventions. The main disciplinary perspectives will come from clinical trials, statistics and epidemiology, but others will contribute. Students will be trained to develop skills to scrutinize information, to critically analyse and carry out research and to communicate effectively.
Duration
1 year full-time
MPhil in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control
One of the disciplines that contribute to improving the health of the public is epidemiology. The process usually requires the use of epidemiologic skills to identify problems, measure risk factors, design, implement and then evaluate programme. The fundamental principle behind this programme therefore involves the Public Health assessment and intervention that results from the application of credible science to achieve such public health objectives.
Duration:
2 years
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health
Requirement:
- A Master’s degree with research in a relevant Public Health area. Candidates with more than three years working experience will have an advantage.
- Candidates should have a strong research background (i.e. academic transcript should show evidence of research methods course).
- Candidates should have basic knowledge in statistics and data analysis.
Duration
A minimum of four (4) years or 48 calendar months
The School also holds the following short courses every year.
– Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation
– HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation
– Improving Public Health Intervention in Management
– Epidemiology and Health Systems Management for District Health Managers
(For Sierra Leoneans)
University of Ghana School of Public Health Contact
Location
University of Ghana, Legon campus between the University stadium and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
Postal address
P.O. Box LG 13
University of Ghana
Legon
E-mail – sph@ug.edu.gh
Phone – +233 (0)28 910 9000/9001/9011