I'm considering applying to this program at the University of the Western Cape: Master of Public Health http://ww3.uwc.ac.za/index.asp?webpageid=5184&pagemode=#APPLICATIONPROCESS UNISA also offers a distance MPH but Western Cape has the advantage of offering a certificate and diploma along the way so that a student who drops out before the ultimate goal of the MPH, gets a consolation prize. Anyone had any experience with Western Cape? There are several distance MPH programs in the US and the UK but Western Cape is much cheaper for me. Distance MPH students from Texas. North Carolina, Florida, and Illinois have good in-state choices. Some of these state schools give in-state rates to residents of neighboring states as well. BTW, Western Cape participates in the Open Coursework project so that one can see some course content on-line without enrolling. http://free.uwc.ac.za/ Note: Long-time users of this board will recall that I was enrolled in the FREE distance MBA program at Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) in Sweden. http://www.bth.se/mam/internetmba.nsf I found it excruciatingly boring and I dropped out after the first year. Fortunately, my staff position has been changed from administration to health services, so i can study something a bit more interesting. No doubt some users will think it foolish of me to quit a free masters program that I was half-way through, but I'm too old to be studying something I dislike so.
Personally, I think you made the right choice in leaving the BTH MBA program. No point in studying something that does not interest you (free or not). I too have looked into the University of the Wester Cape MPH program. I see no issues there. UWC is recognized by the South African government, the program looks to be interesting and rigorous and the price is certainly right. Good luck, Tom
Hi - If you're considering an MPH from a South African universitiy then you might want to take a peek at this one: http://www.medunsa.ac.za/faculties/nsph/ It's the National School of Public Health run from the University of Limpopo. I think it's the big medical school in that country.
National School of Public Health I appreciate the link and see they do offer some distance courses, however I don't see any indication that they offer distance degrees or certificates. However, I'll email them. BTW, I submitted my online application to the University of the Western Cape today.
Most South African universities offer research based dissertation-only Masters degrees (at least as an option. These are not traditional distance learning degrees and will not be advertised as such. However, under certain circumstances a student might be allowed to conduct their research at a distance. This is not a given but must be specifically requested. The answer may be "no." Often times the no comes as a result of the university feeling that they're unable to support (supervise) your specific research topic due to the unavailability of an advisor with expertise in you particular area of interest. It pays to do some reseach and discover the research interests of the current faculty members. In any case, best of luck.
Hi Kizmet, While this is certainly true for many Masters degrees, I have found it to be uncommon with the MPH degree. This degree is based on more of a didactic model, rather than a research model. That's not to say that a research-only MPH program does not exist. I'm just saying that I haven't come across one yet (and I've eyeballed many an MPH program). Perhaps one could fine a research only MPhil or M.S. in Public Health. This is much more likely. Tom
MPH vs research Masters Thanks again for the suggestion of National School of Public Health. I did email them. Perhaps they have plans for an online degree, since they have several online courses already. A previous poster is correct about the Masters in Public Health being a taught, first professional degree. It's not a research degree. Some universities, including Western Cape where I applied for the MPH, offer research masters degrees in public health. For some reason, in South Africa, the research masters seems to be the MA instead of the MPhil
The degrees generally follow the pattern of their undergrad degree programmes or faculty. IE, BA, BA Hons (or a four year B degree such as B Journ, in which case the next degree would still be the MA), MA, PhD. This usually applies to all areas (BA, BSc. BTech etc) and only the PhD is distinguished from the rest.