Dissertation integrates public health knowledge, skills, and methods in a professionally and personally
relevant practice context. Elective courses are offered only during the third semester if minimally eight
participants enrol for a course. New credited courses will be subsequently introduced on a need-and-
demand basis in the coming years.
Students are encouraged to become involved in the institutional research, e.g. HSA’s Field Demonstration
Area provides an opportunity for supervised, mentored practical experiences while addressing the health
needs of Pakistan and its surrounding region.
In the fourth semester the students proceed to their respective workplace and apply the skills that they
learnt in the first three semesters. The immediate supervisor’s/mentor’s appraisal will be submitted at the
end of the semester.
2.4 Programme Duration, Credits and Medium of Instruction
The MSPH degree programme extends up to twenty four (24) months comprising four semesters. The first
two semesters are dedicated to course work, culminating in an end-of-semester examination. In the third
semester, the examination is held by mid-semester, and the remaining time is to be used to complete
student dissertations. During the first three semesters, students are expected to attend all classes at the
HSA; however, during the fourth semester, they are expected to return to a job environment and carry out
an on-the-job assignment as part of their practicum. All semesters are followed by semester break of up to
four weeks’ duration. In the third semester all students have to conduct a field project leading to a
dissertation. In the fourth semester every student has to carry out a practicum (on-the-job assignment)
and submit a short written report and an appraisal from the immediate supervisor/mentor.
The total programme consists of 60 credits. One credit is equivalent to 16-18 hours of formal
teaching/contact hours or 48-54 hours of practical fieldwork. Practical fieldwork is defined as consisting of
individual fieldwork, group fieldwork, field visits, individual assignments and class exercises.
English is the medium of instruction and examination for the MSPH programme.
2.5 Semester-wise Distribution
The distribution of the core and elective courses in the three semesters is given in the following tables.
