GENERAL INFORMATION

In 1995, with the guidance of the Ministry of Health, The Hanoi School of Public Health started to develop its MPH training curriculum. Since 1996, the School has collaborated with many international experts in applying a new approach called  Public Health School without Walls (PHSWOW) for the first time in Vietnam. Vietnam is now a member of the world wide network of schools using this approach. Unlike traditional training models, the MPH program at the HSPH lasts for two years, one of which is devoted to field work. In the first year of study, students are provided with multi-sectoral knowledge including basic public health sciences and social sciences and their applications. At the same time, students will also learn basic skills related to informatics, data analysis and scientific research methodology. Entering the second year, students themselves conduct their own research at the HSPH field sites.  Students learn a lot from this field training in which they study health problems, conduct data collection and analysis and determine appropriate intervention methods. Opportunties to work in both rural and urban settings help  students gain self-confidence and experience that will be relevant when they finish their public health training and seek work in the field of public health. Through this MPH program, students gain skills for research and analysis as well as critical thinking skills and team work skills. Up to this point, more than 200 MPH students from seven cohorts have graduated from this program. Annually, we recruit approximately 40-50 new MPH students, including students from Laos and Cambodia. This year, the training program has been divided into 2 tracks, a research-based track and amanagement/practice track, in order to meet reflect the reality of needs in the field.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

- Medical doctor, pharmacist, bachelor of Public Heath and others who graduated from universities related to health science (biology, environment)

- The applicants graduated from social science universities must complete the supplementary basic Public Health courses (with certificate).

- Having at least 2 years of working experience.

- Good health.

TRAINING PROGRAM:

Training duration:

- 2 years (full – time) (1 year for CK1-transferred students)

- Existing regulations for government staff to study full-time applied.

Entrance examination:

- Basic Subject: Biostatistics

- Fundamental subject: Hygiene – Epidemiology – Environmental Health (waived for CK1-transferred applicants)

- Foreign language: English B level.

* Foreign language exam exemption:

• Oversea university degree in which the language of study is one among 5 languages: English, Russian, French, Germany, or Chinese.

• International qualification: IELTS (score of 6 or higher) or TOEFL (score of 550 or higher), issued by an international organisation, within 2 years to the examination date.

Note: For applicants who have First Degree of Specialization in Public Health (CK 1) are allowed to apply for MPH program – CK1-transferred. Please see more details in page News / Documents.

1. The curriculum outline:

The active teaching and learning methods and problem-based learning (PBL) will be applied in our course. Theoretical lectures combines with seminar, group discussion, self–study and practice in computer lab. This program consists of compulsory components (basic and professional subjects) and elective/optional component, for a total of 85 credit hours equivalent. Started with the MPH 10 cohort, the training program would be tracked into 2 groups: Research methodology track (will meet the needs of students who are working in the research-based positions, academic institutions) and Management / practice track (suitable for those who are working in management / practice position in health and relevant sectors). The detailed curriculum outline as follow:

A. Compulsory and basic component (for both tracks)

B1. Specialized component of Research Methodology Track

B2. Specialized component of Practice/Management Track

2. Study at the field site:

The first phrase:

Duration: 4 months

Purpose: To get used to scientific research methodology through develop and implement a small study (for research methodology track) as well as management skills at the local level (for management/practice track).

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MPH students (cohort # 1) studied in the field with supporting supervisors from HSPH and international experts

MPH students (cohort # 2) conducted interview at the household

The second phrase:

Duration: 6 months

Purpose: MPH students independently conduct a research project by themselves to identify the health problems or/and conduct a intervention (for research methodology track) or conduct a research related to Health resources/project management or evaluation at the field site (for management/practice track). Those studies/projects will be developed into Master thesis.

During the field study, the students have a chance to work and expose with both rural and urban contexts. Student is also allowed to conduct the intervention study during the whole 10-month period of the second year. In addition, students are allowed to conduct study at other field sites, if possible. In all cases, the lecturers of the School (may collaborate with invited lecturers from other institutions) will provide supporting supervision to students on-site to assure quality control.

HSPH supervisor worked with students (cohort # 7) during her project in Central Highland

List of field sites:

- Hoan Kiem District Preventive Health Center.

- Dong Da District Preventive Health Center.

- Ba Dinh District Preventive Health Center.

- Tay Ho District Preventive Health Center.

- Cau Giay District Preventive Health Center.

- Gia Lam District Prevetive Health Center.

- Thanh Tri District Preventive Health Center.

- Hoai Duc District Preventive Health Center– Ha Tay Province.

- Chuong My District Preventive Health Center – Ha Tay Province.

- Tien Du District Preventive Health Center – Bac Ninh Province.

- Yen Phong District Preventive Health Center – Bac Ninh Province.

- Luong Son District Preventive Health Center – Hoa Binh Province.

- Thanh Mien District Preventive Health Center – Hai Duong Province

- Chi Linh District Preventive Health Center – Hai Duong Province.

- Khoai Chau District Preventive Health Center – Hung Yen Province.

Students are also allowed to conduct study at other field sites of other cities/provinces (depend on research topics), like: Nha Trang, Da Nang, Long An, Buon Me Thuot, etc.

OTHER LINKS:

• MPH training curriculum - downloadable here
• List of MPH Alumni (upcoming)
• List of MPH thesis topics (upcoming)
• For further announcement, documents and MPH entrance exam updates: see News / Documents.