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Masters in Public Health in Nigeria: Everything You Need to Know

Public health is an unquestionably prestigious field, and anyone with a bachelor’s degree in science or medical-related courses can pursue it. If you want to be successful in this field of study, you also need to have a strong interest in doing research. The investigation is being conducted not only in a laboratory but also in the field as well.

This master’s degree program is made available by quite a few educational establishments; in fact, it is made available by the vast majority of universities in Nigeria. On the other hand, every one of these institutions has its own set of qualifications.

These requirements share a lot of similarities, but there is a possibility that one or two of them will be different. When registering for classes at a specific school, it is critical to give careful attention to each of these distinctions.

Public Health Courses in Nigeria

Table of contents

Nigeria’s MPH Curriculum

In Nigeria, the minimum time required to complete an MPH degree program is typically one year for medical professionals and two years for the majority of people who hold paramedical degrees. It is expected of every student enrolled in a Master of Public Health degree program in Nigeria that they will complete the coursework that is intended to prepare public health professionals to effectively and actively contribute to approaches that are culturally appropriate and innovative. These approaches are aimed at improving and promoting the health of the population as well as finding solutions to emerging public health problems.

What Are The Public Health Courses in Nigeria?

  • Environmental public health
  • Drug Education
  • Primary Health care
  • Community Health Education
  • Reproductive and Family Health
  • Safety Health Education
  • Community Health
  • Tropical Public Health
  • Epidemiology and Community Health
  • Occupational Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Health Management and Health Education
  • Tropical Public Health
  • Epidemiology and Community Health
  • Health Policy & Management
  • Health Services Administration
  • Health Promotion and Education
  • Population and Reproductive Health Education
  • Health Promotion and Education
  • Human Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Child and Adolescent Health
  • Field Epidemiology
  • Medical Demography
  • Biostatistics
  • Child health and family planning
  • Emotional health
  • Mental health
  • Health care delivery system and organization
  • Health economics
  • Dental health assisted with an emergency oral surgeon
  • Health management and Informatics
  • Public health Technology
  • International Public Health Management
  • Public Health Policy & Management
  • Public Health Education
  • Public Health Information, Education & Communication
  • Epidemiology, disease control & surveillance
  • Occupational health
  • Health Systems Management & Administration
  • Community/Family and Reproductive Health

Students are expected to carry out a research project in a specific area of public health as part of the requirement for the awarding of a Master’s Degree in Public Health once they have completed the required courses, which typically span between 2 and 4 semesters. This requirement is part of the criteria for the awarding of the Master’s Degree in Public Health.

List of Universities Offering Master in Public Health in Nigeria

1. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Located in the lle-lfe southwest region of Nigeria, the Obafemi Awolowo University Institute of Public Health (IPH) is a center for the generation of ideas on health development, health promotion, and disease prevention programs. The university was one of the first in Nigeria to offer the Master of Public Health degree. The Institute of Public Health is an essential component of the College of Health Sciences. Its primary function is to act as a nexus for the planning, execution, coordination, and assessment of public health-related research as well as educational programs and services. In addition, the institute works in conjunction with other institutions and development agencies in Nigeria and beyond in order to bring about its vision of health promotion and development throughout the world.

Postgraduate Public Health Programs of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Masters

  1. Master in Clinical Psychology
  2. Master of Public Health (M.P.H)
  3. Phil. Public Health (M Phil)

 Doctor of Philosophy

Ph.D. in Public Health

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at Obafemi Awolowo University

  • An Applicant shall possess at least a Second Class Honors Degree (Lower Division) of the Obafemi Awolowo University or any other approved University.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in the Sciences in the following disciplines, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Geology, Geography, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Medicine/Medical Sciences, Medical lab Science and Technology particularly Civil and Chemical Engineering(with at least a 2nd class). Other related disciplines may be considered depending on the availability of space and the level of competition
  • Experience in health, education, social welfare, health promotion, or other appropriate Ministry, Agency, or Institution may be an added advantage.

2. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Candidates who hold an MBBS degree from Ahmadu Bello University or an equivalent degree from a University recognized by the senate of the University are eligible to apply for the Master of Public Health program that is provided by Ahmadu Bello University in technical collaboration with the University of Aberdeen. The MPH program is also open to candidates who have completed a research project with the University of Aberdeen. The other public health program that the university offers is called the Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program. This program grants the degrees of Master of Public Health (MPH) in Field Epidemiology, Master of Public Health (MPH) in Laboratory Epidemiology and Management, and Master of Public Health (MPH) in Veterinary Epidemiology. It is offered in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and it receives funding and technical support from the United States Centers for Disease (CDC). The institution strives to foster a multi-disciplinary approach to public health study, policy, and practice in an effort to maintain its position as a leading academic public health center not only in the country but also on the international stage.

Postgraduate Public Health Programs of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Masters

  1. Master of Public Health (M.P.H)
  2. MPH in Laboratory Epidemiology and Management
  3. MPH in Veterinary Epidemiology

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Master of Public Health (MPH)

  • This course is open to candidates who already possess an MBBS degree from Ahmadu Bello University or an equivalent degree from a University recognized by the senate of the university.
  • Registration with the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is a compulsory requirement.
  • A minimum of three years post degree cognate experience in Medicine, Health and Safety Medical Programs, or Industry or Federal, State, or Local Government.
  • All candidates will undergo a pre admission test in order to determine the eligibility of candidates and to select candidates who can benefit most from the course.

3. University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Public Health was the country’s very first such institution, and it bears the name “Faculty of Public Health.” It was established in 2002, and ever since then, it has been assuming a leadership role in the research and development of public health manpower. The Faculty is comprised of six different departments and one institute, which are as follows:

  1. Epidemiology & Medical Statistics
  2. Health Promotion & Education
  3. Human Nutrition
  4. Health Policy & Management
  5. Environmental Health Sciences
  6. Preventive Medicine & Primary Care
  7. Institute of Child Health (ICH)

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at the University of Ibadan

  • Candidates for admission to the degree shall normally be graduates of the University of Ibadan or any other Institution recognized by the Senate of the University of Ibadan.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in the Sciences in the following disciplines Microbiology, Botany, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Medicine/Medical Sciences (with at least a 2nd class). Other related disciplines may be considered depending on the availability of space and the level of competition.
  • Experience in health promotion, health education, social welfare, or other appropriate Ministries, agencies, or institutions may be an added advantage.

4. University of Lagos

The Master of Public Health program at the University of Lagos is administered by the institution’s Department of Community Health, which is part of the institution’s School of Postgraduate Studies.

Postgraduate Public Health Programs at the University of Lagos are:

  1. MPH Master in Public Health
  2. MSc Public Health

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at the University of Lagos

  1. Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Lagos or any other university recognized by the senate of the university.
  2. Candidates who hold other qualification(s) recognized by the senate of the University of Lagos relevant to health can also apply.
  3.  In addition to requirements 1 & 2 above, an applicant may be required, as a condition for being admitted to take written and/or oral examinations.

5. University Of Port Harcourt

Graduates with Bachelor of Science degrees in fields such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, botany, geography, biochemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, and medicine/medical sciences, amongst others, are eligible to enroll in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Port Harcourt. Graduates with these other types of degrees are eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Public Health (MSc Public Health MSPH) program. The Department of Preventive and Social Medicine is responsible for the instruction of both of these classes.

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at the University of Port Harcourt

  1. Candidates must possess a first Degree in Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, and other relevant courses allied to Medicine.
  2. For candidates with MSc Honors in a health-related discipline, the minimum benchmark is a Second Class (Lower Division) and a CGPA of not less than 3.00 on a 5-point scale or CGPA of 2.5 on a 4 point scale.
  3. A minimum of three years of postgraduate experience and must have completed National Youth Service (NYSC) programme.
  4. Candidates will undergo a selection process written and or oral and only those who are successful will be admitted into the programme.

6. Babcock University

  1. Epidemiology in Public Health
  2. Master of Public Health (M.P.H)
  3. Phil. Public Health (M Phil)
  4. Ph.D. Public Health

7. University of Calabar

  1. Master of Public Health (M.P.H)

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at the University of Calabar

  1. Candidates must possess a first Degree in the following disciplines: Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, and other relevant courses allied to Medicine from the University of Calabar or any other recognized university.
  2. For candidates with B.Sc. For honors in a health-related discipline, the minimum benchmark is a Second Class (Lower Division) and a CGPA of not less than 3.00 on a 5-point scale or CGPA of 2.5 on a 4 point scale
  3. A minimum of three years postgraduate experience, and must have completed the National Youth Service (NYSC) programme.

8. University of Ilorin

Full-time students can expect to be enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Ilorin for a minimum of twenty-four (24) calendar months and a maximum of thirty-six (36) calendar months. Part-time students can expect to be enrolled for a minimum of thirty-six (36) calendar months and a maximum of forty-eight (48) calendar months.

  1. Master of Public Health Education (M. PHE)

Specialization

  1. Drug Education
  2. Primary Health care
  3. Community Health Education
  4. Reproductive and Family Health
  5. Safety Health Education
  6. Master of Community Health (M.Comm.H )

Specialization

  1. Tropical Public Health
  2. Epidemiology and Community Health
  3. Occupational Health
  4. Environmental Health
  5. Health Management and Health Education

Master in Public Health (MPH)

Specialization

  1. Tropical Public Health
  2. Epidemiology and Community Health
  3. Occupational Health
  4. Environmental Health
  5. Health Management
  6. Health Education.

Ph.D. Public Health

Specialization: Epidemiology

Admission Requirement for Masters in Public Health at the University of Ilorin

  1. Candidates must possess a first Degree from the University of Ilorin or any other recognized university in Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, and other relevant courses allied to Medicine.
  2. For candidates with B.Sc Honors in a health-related discipline, the minimum benchmark is a Second Class (Lower Division), and a CGPA of not less than 3.00 on a 5-point scale, or a CGPA of 2.5 on a 4 point scale.
  3. A minimum of three years postgraduate experience, and must have completed the National Youth Service (NYSC) programme.
  4. Candidates applying for the Ph.D. in public health programme must have obtained a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized University, with an average score of not less than 60%.
  5. Candidates who attended foreign Universities, where the English language is not the medium of instruction, must show evidence of their English Language proficiency, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS scores.

The Learning Objective

It is anticipated of you as a holder of a master’s degree in public health that you will be able to carry out the tasks listed below, as well as possess the following abilities:

  • Have the capacity to comprehend and also conduct analysis on any and all types of health data that you might encounter.
  • Be able to not only describe the spread of the disease but also identify the organisms that are responsible for it. Additionally be capable of determining the epidemiology as well as the pathophysiology of diseases.
  • Capability to describe disabilities and mortality rates in any human group.
  • Capability to assess any environmental elements that might be responsible for the health status of any particular community
  • Have the capacity to conduct policy analysis, organize relevant policies, and administer them effectively in health care organizations.
  • The capability to employ a variety of health research concepts and methods connected to social sciences, social justice, and behavioral sciences in order to discover issues that affect public health.
  • The capacity to provide necessary remedies to a wide range of medical issues

Chukwuebuka Martins

Chukwuebuka Martins is a writer, researcher, and health enthusiast who specializes in human physiology. He takes great pleasure in penning informative articles on many aspects of physical wellness, which he then thoroughly enjoys sharing to the general public.

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