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MPH in General at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is General at Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi?
This Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) focuses on equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of public health principles, research methodologies, and policy development. It is crucial in the Indian context, addressing complex health challenges ranging from infectious diseases to chronic conditions and environmental health issues. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, leveraging JNU''''s strength in social sciences, environmental sciences, and public policy.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for medical and allied health professionals (MBBS, BDS, Nursing, AYUSH), life science graduates, and those with a background in statistics or social sciences. It targets fresh graduates aspiring to contribute to public health, as well as working professionals in healthcare or development sectors seeking to enhance their skills in epidemiology, health policy, and program management to address India''''s diverse health landscape.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India and globally, including roles in government health departments, NGOs, international organizations (WHO, UNICEF), research institutions, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 10-20 LPA or more. The program prepares students for leadership roles in public health and contributes to national health goals.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Public Health Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Develop a strong foundation in epidemiology, biostatistics, and social determinants of health. Actively participate in lectures, review recommended readings, and engage in study groups to clarify concepts and ensure a robust understanding of public health fundamentals.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks by Gordis (Epidemiology), Bland (Biostatistics), WHO/UNICEF reports, JNU library resources
Career Connection
A solid conceptual base is crucial for understanding and addressing public health issues, essential for research, policy, and program design roles in India.
Cultivate Research and Analytical Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Pay close attention to basic research methods and statistical software introductions. Practice data analysis using sample datasets from public health studies. Seek out opportunities for mini-projects or data analysis exercises to build practical expertise.
Tools & Resources
SPSS/R tutorials, Online courses on statistical software, Research methodology guides
Career Connection
Strong analytical skills are highly valued in public health research, monitoring, and evaluation roles across various health organizations in India.
Engage in Interdisciplinary Learning- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in discussions that integrate perspectives from social sciences, environmental health, and economics. Seek to understand how different disciplines contribute to a holistic public health approach, aligning with JNU''''s interdisciplinary ethos.
Tools & Resources
JNU''''s interdisciplinary seminar series, Guest lectures from various schools/departments, Relevant academic journals
Career Connection
Public health in India requires professionals who can work across sectors; interdisciplinary thinking is a key asset for effective policy formulation and program implementation.
Intermediate Stage
Gain Practical Field Exposure- (Semester 3)
Actively pursue internship opportunities with public health organizations, NGOs, or government agencies. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios in data collection, program implementation, or community engagement, especially relevant to the Indian context.
Tools & Resources
JNU placement cell, Faculty networks, Websites of PHFI, Population Foundation of India, State Health Departments
Career Connection
Field experience is critical for understanding the operational challenges of public health in India and significantly enhances employability for practical roles.
Specialise in a Public Health Area- (Semester 3)
Identify an area of public health that interests you (e.g., maternal and child health, NCDs, environmental health, health policy) and delve deeper through project work, and additional readings. This allows for focused skill development.
Tools & Resources
Scholarly articles on chosen area, Workshops/conferences, Networking with experts
Career Connection
Developing a specialization makes you a more attractive candidate for targeted roles within specific public health domains, increasing job prospects in India.
Develop Communication and Advocacy Skills- (Semester 3)
Practice presenting public health information clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing. Participate in debates, group presentations, and proposal writing exercises, crucial for effective public health interventions.
Tools & Resources
Public speaking workshops, Academic writing resources, Case studies on health communication campaigns
Career Connection
Effective communication is vital for influencing policy, educating communities, and securing funding in the public health sector in India.
Advanced Stage
Conduct Rigorous Dissertation/Project Research- (Semester 4)
Choose a relevant public health topic for your dissertation, conduct thorough literature review, design a robust methodology, collect and analyze data, and write a high-quality report. Seek regular feedback from your supervisor at JNU.
Tools & Resources
Research ethics guidelines, Statistical software expertise, Academic writing support, JNU research facilities
Career Connection
A strong dissertation demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research, a key skill for research institutions, think tanks, and advanced public health roles in India.
Network and Prepare for Placements- (Semester 4)
Attend career fairs, public health conferences, and alumni networking events to build connections. Refine your CV, practice interview skills, and identify target organizations for placement within India''''s public health landscape.
Tools & Resources
JNU career services, LinkedIn, Indian Public Health Association, Mock interview sessions
Career Connection
Proactive networking and strong application materials significantly increase your chances of securing desirable placements in India''''s competitive public health job market.
Engage in Policy Analysis and Advocacy Simulation- (Semester 4)
Participate in simulations or case studies focusing on analyzing health policies, identifying gaps, and developing advocacy strategies for critical public health issues in the Indian context. This builds practical policy engagement skills.
Tools & Resources
Policy briefs from government, Reports from NITI Aayog/Ministry of Health, Workshops on policy analysis
Career Connection
Understanding policy processes and advocacy is crucial for roles in government, NGOs, and international bodies aiming to shape public health outcomes in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Masters degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines (e.g., Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Engineering) OR MBBS/BDS/AYUSH/B.Sc. Nursing/B.Pharma/B.Sc. (Life Sciences/Statistics/Nutrition/Home Science/Anthropology/Psychology) or equivalent with minimum 55% marks from a recognized University/Institution.
Duration: 4 semesters/ 2 years
Credits: 64 credits (Minimum) Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPH401 | Introduction to Public Health | Core | 4 | Concepts of Health and Disease, History of Public Health, Determinants of Health, Public Health Approaches and Ethics, Health Systems and Services |
| SPH402 | Basic Epidemiology | Core | 4 | Measures of Disease Occurrence, Epidemiological Study Designs, Bias and Confounding, Screening for Diseases, Epidemiology of Communicable and NCDs |
| SPH403 | Basic Biostatistics | Core | 4 | Data Collection and Presentation, Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion, Probability and Sampling, Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression Basics |
| SPH404 | Introduction to Demography and Population Studies | Core | 4 | Basic Demographic Concepts, Population Dynamics, Fertility and Mortality Measures, Migration Studies, Population Structure and Age-Sex Pyramids |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPH405 | Social Science Perspectives in Public Health | Core | 4 | Social Determinants of Health, Health Belief Models, Health Promotion Theories, Qualitative Research Methods, Culture and Health Behaviors |
| SPH406 | Health Economics and Health Financing | Core | 4 | Economic Principles in Health, Health Care Markets, Health System Financing, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Health Insurance Models |
| SPH407 | Health Policy and Planning | Core | 4 | Policy Process and Analysis, Health Sector Reforms, Health Planning Cycle, Public Health Legislation, Global Health Policies |
| SPH408 | Environmental and Occupational Health | Core | 4 | Environmental Health Hazards, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Air Pollution and Health, Climate Change and Health, Occupational Diseases and Safety |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPH409 | Research Methods in Public Health | Core | 4 | Research Design and Frameworks, Data Collection Methods, Questionnaire Design, Sampling Techniques, Ethical Considerations in Research |
| SPH410 | Data Analysis with Statistical Software | Core | 4 | Introduction to SPSS/R/STATA, Data Management and Cleaning, Descriptive Statistics using Software, Inferential Statistics with Software, Regression Analysis and Interpretation |
| SPH411 | Health Communication and Advocacy | Core | 4 | Communication Models in Health, Health Education Strategies, Behavior Change Communication, Media Advocacy for Health, Crisis Communication in Public Health |
| SPH412 | Public Health Nutrition | Core | 4 | Nutritional Epidemiology, Malnutrition and Micronutrient Deficiencies, Food Security and Policies, Maternal and Child Nutrition, National Nutrition Programs in India |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPH413 | Epidemiology of Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases | Core | 4 | Global Burden of Disease, Epidemiology of Major Infectious Diseases (TB, HIV, Malaria), Epidemiology of NCDs (CVD, Cancer, Diabetes), Prevention and Control Strategies, Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation |
| SPH414 | Public Health Management and Leadership | Core | 4 | Management Principles in Health, Leadership Theories and Styles, Project Management in Public Health, Quality Improvement in Health Systems, Disaster Management and Preparedness |
| SPH415 | Public Health Law and Ethics | Core | 4 | Legal Frameworks in Public Health, Human Rights and Health, Bioethics in Public Health Research and Practice, Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Public Health Surveillance Law |
| SPH416 | MPH Dissertation/Project | Core | 4 | Project Formulation and Design, Literature Review and Gap Identification, Methodology Development and Data Collection, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Report Writing and Presentation |
