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ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH (DRPH) PROGRAMME 

Background
 
The Department of Community Medicine is responsible for the academic, clinical services, research and training activities in the specialty of Community and Public Health Medicine for the USM School of Medical Sciences. The teaching activities involve both undergraduate and postgraduate trainings.
 
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programme is established to train manpower that is knowledgeable and skilful in the specialty of Community and Public Health Medicine and its related disciplines. This is an advanced programme meant for first‐degree holders in medicine who aspire to develop their careers as Community Medicine specialists. Opportunities are offered to candidates to major in their areas of interest. The thrust of the programme is the professional development of candidates, i.e., strengthening their abilities to solve community health problems and enhancing their competencies in research activities.
 
General Objective 
 
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is a Public Health Physicians professional graduate programme. It focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in professional leadership, administration and the application of knowledge‐centered "Evidence Based Medicine". It emphasises on health development and problem‐solving activities at the community, national and international level.
 
Specific Objectives
 
The aim of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programme is to produce Public Health Physicians who are able to:
  • apply the public health knowledge in the planning, implementation and evaluations of health programmes at the national and international level
  • manage health problems and lead public health activities
  • carry out scientific research and produce quality reports
  • lead the development of knowledge in the field of public health 
 
Scope
 
The Doctor of Public Health degree includes the following specialisations:
  1. Epidemiology - DrPH (Epidemiology)
  2. Family Health - DrPH (Family Health)
  3. Environmental and Occupational Health - DrPH (Environmental and Occupational Health) 
  4. Health System Management - DrPH (Health System Management)
 
Duration of Studies
 
The programme is conducted for 6 semesters (3 years) and candidates must be registered on full‐time basis with the USM. Candidates are required to complete their course work, undergo field attachment and produce a dissertation during the study period.
 
Entry Requirements
  1. Candidates must possess a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, pass all MPH courses with at least a grade B AND CGPA of 3.2 and above or, an *equivalent qualification according to Specialty Specific Requirements (SSR) (Public Health Medicine), 2023
  2. Overseas candidates must possess English Test - TOEFL (minimum score 550) or IELTS (minimum score of 6.0) before being registered as a DrPH candidate
  3. Satisfactory physical and mental health condition
  4. Candidates are also required to fulfill other conditions as determined by Universiti Sains Malaysia from time to time, including fully registration with the Malaysian Medical Council.

*Equivalent Qualifications*

  • At least 12 months of training. This training must be delivered via coursework mode.
  • Must include a minimum learning time equivalent to a total of 40 credit hours. The training must include the following compulsory core discipline areas of public health credited in a single academic transcript:
    1. Epidemiology
    2. Biostatistics.
    3. Environmental Health Science (Environmental and/or Occupational Health).
    4. Family (Population) Health and/or Social Behavioural Sciences)
    5. Health Policy and Health Services Management.
  • The training in each core discipline area must include courses that cumulatively equals to a three credit hours module. (MQF equivalent*)
 
Satisfactory physical and mental health condition
 
Candidates are also required to fulfill other conditions as determined by the Universiti Sains Malaysia from time to time
 
Application
 
Applications from candidates sponsored by the Ministry of Health Malaysia can be made via the website www.moh.gov.my
 
Other candidates e.g. local or overseas self‐sponsored and IPTA sponsored can obtain their application forms via this address:
 
Institute of Postgraduate Studies
Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800 Penang, Malaysia.
 
or 
 
via Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) website http://www.ips.usm.my/index.php/prospective-students/admission
 
 
Fees
 
DrPH fee structure (fee may change based on the university policies)
Local candidates (Ringgit Malaysia) = RM47590.00
International candidates (US Dollar) = USD17,662.50
(Subjected to review by time to time)
 
 
Enquiries
 
Other enquiries such as the course content, structure and other programmes can be obtained directly from:
 
Coordinator, DrPH Programme,
Department of Community Medicine,
School of Medical Sciences,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus,
16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
Phone: 09‐767 6621/6648/6645
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Briefing slides can be downloaded below
DrPH Briefing 2020

Community Medicine