Public health leaders are committed to protecting and improving the health of populations. They improve the quality of lives by conducting research, and developing policies and programmes which prevent threats to public health, whilst maximising the opportunity for good health and wellbeing. Professionals in this sector all share a common interest in protecting safety and wellbeing, and ensuring equality of access, with a goal to reduce health inequalities and better health outcomes. In this blog post, we explore how the University of Liverpool’s online and part-time MPH programme can help to further your career, and the specialist pathways available for you to take as an online student.
Who is the online MPH programme for?
The online MPH programme is designed for those interested in reducing health inequalities, and improving the health and wellbeing of communities. As a prospective student, you may be already working in public health or areas connected to public health, or would like to move from a more clinical post into a public health position. Our students come from a wide variety of medical, nursing, allied health or pharmacy settings, as well as other environments such as working for government agencies, acting as policymakers and even veterinary backgrounds.
The programme is designed to build skills, and to challenge you to take onboard new ideas and ways of working. The curriculum focusses on public health knowledge and practice, but also on research skills and developing as a leader and manager. By the end of the programme, you should be confident about progressing in your career and aiming towards taking up managerial or leadership roles within public health.
What can I expect from the online MPH programme?
The online MPH offers students the opportunity to study in a truly multidisciplinary environment where peers from around the world, from different disciplines and different types of health systems, come together to learn individually and collaboratively.
You will be encouraged to think about how the content of the programme applies to your own situation or community, and will also be able to reflect on how it might apply to the real-world examples and challenges put forward by other students. These examples and challenges may include things that work or don’t work in different countries or populations, and will ultimately give you a fresh view of public health challenges and problem solving from different perspectives.
Alongside deepening your discipline knowledge, you will develop your research skills in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and epidemiology. You will also be encouraged to develop your teamwork and leadership capabilities.
What are the pathway options within the online MPH programme?
As a University of Liverpool online MPH student, outside of the general route, you can choose to take one of our specialist pathways in either Global Mental Health, International Public Health or Management of Health Systems. The specialist pathways are taken by selecting optional modules partway through the programme, followed by choosing a dissertation topic at the end of the course reflective of the pathway.
The Global Mental Health Pathway will deepen your knowledge of the key issues impacting global mental health and the contributors that underpin global mental health inequalities. The International Public Health Pathway examines how public health differs across the globe, including the programme and policy challenges in low-income countries. The Management of Health Systems Pathway will help you to evaluate governmental and market healthcare activities and the behaviour of consumers and organisations in these healthcare markets.
The curriculum is fully accredited by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA), recognising the high-quality content of the online MPH and relevance to today’s global public health challenges.
How is the online MPH taught and assessed?
The online MPH programme is delivered using the latest online teaching techniques, and includes a range of interesting and thought-provoking activities and exercises for students. Core information has been developed by subject-leading experts in the field, and closely aligned with both industry and academic best practice, underpinned by rigorous theoretical and relevant topics, examples and case studies.
Teaching activities consist of specially designed lecturecasts, carefully curated reading lists, and asynchronous discussions to enhance your peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Assessment is by coursework only – there are no examinations. Assessments align with the University of Liverpool commitment to have relevant, authentic and varied activities, and are designed to lead directly to enhanced professional and personal objectives as well as being appropriate to the academic discipline.
Where can an MPH programme take me?
Public health graduates are better qualified for more advanced positions in public health research and practice roles within a range of institutions. These include health organisations, charities, government and non-government organisations (NGOs).
Careers within the public health sector are diverse, and you could be dealing with the issues arising in local communities or directing the public about specific actions to take during disease outbreaks or environmental disasters. There are many rewarding and challenging roles that exist within the public health sector, ranging from epidemiologist to health economist and public health nutritionist.
What are the benefits of studying online with the University of Liverpool?
We have 20 years’ experience delivering an enriched educational experience online for a global community. Choosing to study the MPH online means that you can continue to work alongside your studies, and to continuously apply the knowledge and skills developed on the programme in your professional life. The University of Liverpool provides tailored support throughout your studies, and is committed to helping you reach your personal and career goals.
The Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and has a world-leading status for excellence in research and education. The latest Research Excellence Framework 2021 rated 97% of our research as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), making us joint 3rd in the UK. 100% of our impact and environment is world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
Expand the impact you are making in your career and in the community by taking the online MPH with the University of Liverpool.
If you would like to learn more about our Master of Public Health (MPH), head to our programme page for further information and to download a prospectus.
