Master of Science in Applied Health Social Science (MSc. AHSS) Programme
The Master of Science in 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, and Anthropology to Public Health and the application of Social Science research methodologies and Implementation Research to promote health and well-being. The course is therefore, designed to provide a structured but flexible exposure to topics in the areas of Public Health, Biostatistics, Social Science Methods in Health Systems/ Implementation Research, Health Policy and Ethics. The main thrust of the programme is to expose health and development workers to Social Science techniques, tools, approaches, methodologies and best practices needed for effective programme design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and management. Students will be exposed to various field experiences and practices and would be required to master Social Science approaches to health research. Some of the main areas of application include health promotion, gender advocacy in health, gender in development, implementation research, health research, health programme design, implementation, and management, the application of Social Science to health programme and service delivery, management and sustainability, and health promotion activities.
The MSc. AHSS programme has been organised as a 12-month full-time residential course of two semesters and 12-week of field practice. The first semester will be devoted to core course work and the second to both core and elective course work. After the second semester examinations, students will devote a maximum of twelve (12) weeks to field practice and/or field attachment where they will have hands-on experience of Implementation Research and the Research Cycle, Community Mobilisation, Health Promotion and Practice etc
Course Summary (MSc. AHSS)
First Semester
Electives
Master of Public Health Social and Behavioural Science (MPH SOBS) Option
The main thrust of the MPH SOBS option is to provide expertise public health training for health and development practitioners in the areas of social and behavioural sciences for both national and international health and development workers. This is a twelve –month MPH programme but for applicants who are interested in the role of social sciences in public health.
The MPH SOBS option is a full-time residential course which spans a period of two semesters and a second semester vacation residency programme. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 39 credit hours and a maximum of 48 credit hours of course work. In addition, students will be required to undertake 12 weeks of field work/research during the long vacation. The remaining 2 weeks would be spent in the classroom and with academic supervisors, where students will be guided to put their dissertations together to conform to the department’s standards.
Course Summary
First Semester
Second Semester Implementation Research Unit
Second Semester Health Promotion Unit
Second Semester Gender and Health Unit
Second Semester Applied Health Social Science Unit
Electives
Field Practicals Period