Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity (MPH-HE)

The Master of Public Health and Health Equity is designed to enable mid-career professionals, working at any level (subnational, national, international, global) within the health system, to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to address public health issues. In all programme components, participants are encouraged to interact with participants from other backgrounds and countries, who may face similar issues but with alternative solutions.

Duration full-time tracks: 1 year. Part-time option for this master programme possible (see track 5).

Participants can choose from the following 5 study tracks:

• Track 1: Health Systems and Policy
• Track 2: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
• Track 3: Epidemiology
• Track 4: Tailor-made track
• Track 5: Selected Challenges and Solutions in Public Health

KIT has launched the ‘ Women Leaders in Global Health Development Initiative ’ and as part of this initiative, we strongly encourage women to apply.

The MPH-HE is organized by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and is accredited by the Netherlands-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO).

Content

Public Health and Health Equity in a Changing Environment

Health systems in low- and middle-income countries face a wide range of complex challenges. These include, among others, the inequalities in health and healthcare; the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases; the unfolding demographic transition; and the health needs in fragile and conflict-affected settings. These challenges disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Addressing these issues requires well-trained professionals, capable of solving complex public health problems systematically, in either a public or private sector organisation responsible for public health. To this end, the MPH-HE programme specifically focusses on health equity in low-resource settings and in high-resource settings with disadvantaged populations, using a gender and inclusive approach.

While health improves globally, many are still being left behind by inequality. At KIT Health, we are committed to help narrow this gap. With a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, educators and advisors we are an innovative player in international and public health. KIT (Royal Tropical Institute) equips health professionals to address public health challenges around the world. We offer master programs and advanced courses at our training facilities in Amsterdam and through e-learning. In addition, we conduct regional, tailor-made training programs in countries around the world. By bringing together people from different countries and regions, KIT’s international courses create a forum for linking and exchanging experiences among a broad range of development practitioners.

Impact: Leaders in global health

Our training programs respond to current global developments in the health field. KIT’s courses are known for their practical applicability, the multidisciplinary approach, and the interactive, participatory training methods. Our training programs are aimed at developing effective leaders that that create impact in their home countries. Alumni of KIT obtain higher positions after graduating and contribute to health policy at district, regional and national level. They also pass on their knowledge to colleagues and local health professionals, and by teaching at universities and training institutes. As such we have a broad-based impact. In the past fifty years, over 3000 health professionals have studied at KIT. We are proud to be part of their professional journey in becoming leaders in health around the globe. Accreditation KIT’s Master's courses are given in cooperation with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and are accredited the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO www.nvao.com). In addition, advanced courses are all accredited by tropEd, an international network of institutions for higher education in international health.

Why study at KIT?

• Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues
• Practice-oriented
• Exchange between disciplines
• Interactive education
• Development of personal and professional competencies
• Network building
• Personal tutoring
• Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries
• Teaching by highly qualified specialists
• Positively reviewed by tropEd
• KIT: international center of excellence in international health and development
• Accredited by NVAO