

MPH in General at Nitte (Deemed to be University)


Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is General at Nitte (Deemed to be University) Dakshina Kannada?
This Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Nitte (Deemed to be University) focuses on equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of public health challenges and solutions. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to promote health, prevent disease, and address health inequalities within diverse populations, particularly relevant to the Indian context. The program integrates strong foundational knowledge in epidemiology, biostatistics, and social sciences, preparing professionals to tackle complex public health issues.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for medical and allied health graduates, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Nursing, and Pharmacy, as well as professionals with a background in sciences like Biostatistics, Environmental Science, Social Work, or Sociology, who aspire to make a significant impact on community health. It caters to fresh graduates seeking entry into public health roles and working professionals looking to transition or upskill in health policy, research, or program management in India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue diverse career paths in India, including roles as public health specialists, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, health program managers, and policy analysts in government, NGOs, and international organizations. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 lakhs per annum, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program prepares students for leadership roles in national health missions and contributes to addressing critical health disparities across the nation.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Quantitative Foundation- (Semester 1-2)
Focus rigorously on Epidemiology and Biostatistics courses. Practice statistical problems using software like R or SPSS early on. Attend workshops on research methodology and data analysis to strengthen analytical skills.
Tools & Resources
SPSS, R software, NPTEL courses on Biostatistics, online data analysis tutorials
Career Connection
Strong quantitative skills are essential for public health research, disease surveillance, and program evaluation, making graduates highly valuable for data-driven roles.
Engage in Peer Learning and Discussion Groups- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups to discuss complex public health concepts, case studies, and ethical dilemmas. Participate actively in classroom discussions and seminars to articulate your understanding and learn from diverse perspectives.
Tools & Resources
Collaborative online platforms like Google Meet, institutional library resources for case studies, peer-reviewed journals
Career Connection
Enhances critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills, crucial for multidisciplinary public health teams and policy formulation.
Seek Early Exposure to Field Work- (Semester 1-2)
Actively look for opportunities to volunteer or shadow public health professionals in local NGOs, community health centers, or government health programs, even before formal field work. Understand ground realities and challenges.
Tools & Resources
Nitte Institute of Public Health''''s community outreach programs, local district health offices, regional NGOs
Career Connection
Provides practical insights, helps in choosing dissertation topics, and builds a professional network, offering a competitive edge in job applications.
Intermediate Stage
Deep Dive into Health Policy and Management- (Semester 3)
Beyond coursework, analyze current Indian health policies (e.g., National Health Policy, Ayushman Bharat). Participate in policy analysis workshops or seminars. Explore different health management models prevalent in India.
Tools & Resources
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports, NITI Aayog documents, Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) resources, health policy journals
Career Connection
Develops expertise for roles in health administration, policy advocacy, and strategic planning within government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations.
Develop Proficiency in Public Health Software- (Semester 3)
Master statistical software beyond basic applications (e.g., advanced R, STATA) and explore Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for health mapping. Learn to use tools for data visualization and health informatics.
Tools & Resources
STATA, QGIS/ArcGIS (introductory level), Tableau/Power BI for visualization, online tutorials from Coursera/edX
Career Connection
Makes you highly marketable for roles requiring data analysis, epidemiological mapping, and health information system management in public health agencies.
Actively Network with Public Health Leaders- (Semester 3)
Attend public health conferences, seminars, and guest lectures hosted by Nitte or other institutions. Connect with faculty, guest speakers, and alumni on platforms like LinkedIn to explore mentorship and career opportunities.
Tools & Resources
Public health conferences in India (e.g., IPHA, IAPSM), LinkedIn, Nitte alumni network
Career Connection
Opens doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborative projects, significantly boosting career prospects.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Dissertation and Field Work Application- (Semester 4)
Choose a dissertation topic with real-world relevance to Indian public health. Conduct thorough research, data collection, and analysis. Maximize learning from your compulsory field work by actively participating and identifying gaps.
Tools & Resources
Institutional research ethics committee, faculty supervisors, field sites for data collection, academic writing tools
Career Connection
A well-executed dissertation showcases research capability and subject matter expertise, while field work provides practical experience invaluable for entry-level and mid-career positions.
Specialize through Electives and Certifications- (Semester 4)
Strategically choose electives that align with your career goals (e.g., disaster management, global health, MCH). Consider pursuing additional certifications in areas like project management (PMD Pro) or specific health domains.
Tools & Resources
Elective course descriptions, online certification platforms (e.g., Coursera, edX for specialized health courses), professional bodies
Career Connection
Builds a unique skill set, demonstrating commitment to a specific public health domain and enhancing employability for specialized roles.
Prepare a Targeted Job Application Portfolio- (Semester 4)
Develop a compelling resume and cover letter tailored for public health roles. Practice interview skills, focusing on behavioral and technical questions relevant to public health challenges in India. Leverage university placement services.
Tools & Resources
University career services, mock interview platforms, public health job boards (e.g., Devex, PHFI, government portals), professional networking events
Career Connection
Ensures you are well-prepared for the job market, effectively showcasing your skills and increasing chances of securing desirable placements.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- MBBS / BDS / AYUSH / BSc Nursing / BPT / B.Pharm / Pharm.D / Master of Pharmacy / Master of Science in Nursing / MSc Medical (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology) / MSc in Biostatistics / MSc in Environmental Sciences / MSc in Social Work / MA in Sociology / MA in Anthropology / Master of Psychology / Master of Population Studies / Master of Social Work / Master of Statistics / Master of Economics / Masters in Nutrition. Candidates must have passed their qualifying examination with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and completed mandatory internship/practical training (where applicable) before program commencement.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 108 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPHC 1.1 | Public Health - I | Core | 5 | Public Health Concepts, History of Public Health, Determinants of Health, Health Transitions, Public Health Functions, Inter-sectoral Coordination |
| MPHC 1.2 | Epidemiology - I | Core | 5 | Introduction to Epidemiology, Measures of Disease Frequency, Measures of Association, Study Designs, Bias and Confounding, Screening in Public Health |
| MPHC 1.3 | Biostatistics - I | Core | 5 | Introduction to Biostatistics, Data Presentation, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Probability and Distributions, Hypothesis Testing |
| MPHC 1.4 | Social & Behavioral Sciences in Public Health | Core | 5 | Socio-cultural Context of Health, Health Belief Models, Behavior Change Communication, Community Participation, Health Education, Social Marketing |
| MPHC 1.5 | Health Economics & Financing | Core | 4 | Principles of Health Economics, Demand and Supply in Healthcare, Health Financing Mechanisms, Economic Evaluation, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Resource Allocation |
| MPHC 1.6 | Public Health Ethics & Law | Core | 4 | Ethical Principles in Public Health, Public Health Law, Patient Rights, Informed Consent, Research Ethics, Global Health Ethics |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPHC 2.1 | Public Health - II | Core | 5 | Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive Health, Occupational Health, Geriatric Health |
| MPHC 2.2 | Epidemiology - II | Core | 5 | Advanced Epidemiological Study Designs, Outbreak Investigation, Surveillance, Meta-analysis, Clinical Trials, Infectious Disease Epidemiology |
| MPHC 2.3 | Biostatistics - II | Core | 5 | Advanced Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Survival Analysis, Longitudinal Data Analysis, Statistical Software Applications, Data Interpretation |
| MPHC 2.4 | Health Programs & Policies | Core | 5 | National Health Programs (India), Health Policy Development, Health Care Delivery Systems, Universal Health Coverage, International Health Agencies, Program Evaluation |
| MPHC 2.5 | Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Principles of Research, Research Problem Formulation, Study Design Selection, Data Collection Methods, Sampling Techniques, Thesis Writing |
| MPHC 2.6 | Environment & Occupational Health | Core | 4 | Environmental Health Hazards, Water and Sanitation, Air Pollution, Climate Change and Health, Occupational Diseases, Occupational Health Services |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPHC 3.1 | Health Management & Administration | Core | 5 | Principles of Management, Healthcare Systems Organization, Human Resource Management, Financial Management in Health, Quality Management, Strategic Planning |
| MPHC 3.2 | Health Systems Research | Core | 5 | Introduction to Health Systems Research, Policy Research, Operations Research, Implementation Science, Monitoring and Evaluation, Case Studies |
| MPHC 3.3 | Demography & Population Studies | Core | 5 | Demographic Concepts, Population Composition, Fertility and Mortality, Migration, Population Projections, Family Planning Programs |
| MPHC 3.4 | Nutrition & Public Health | Core | 5 | Nutritional Epidemiology, Macronutrients and Micronutrients, Malnutrition, Food Security, National Nutrition Programs, Community Nutrition |
| MPHC 3.5 | Public Health Informatics | Core | 4 | Health Information Systems, Data Management, Electronic Health Records, Telemedicine, Big Data in Public Health, Data Privacy |
| MPHC 3.6 | Urban Health & Planning | Core | 4 | Urbanization and Health, Urban Health Challenges, Slum Health, Urban Health Services, Healthy Cities Initiative, Spatial Planning |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPHC 4.1 | Field Work | Core (Practical) | 4 | Field exposure, Data collection, Community interaction, Program observation, Report writing, Practical skill development |
| MPHC 4.2 | Dissertation | Core (Project) | 8 | Research proposal development, Data analysis, Scientific writing, Presentation skills, Independent research, Problem solving |
| MPHE 4.1 | Digital Health Interventions | Elective | 3 | Mobile Health, Wearable Devices, Telehealth Platforms, AI in Health, Digital Literacy, Ethical Aspects of Digital Health |
| MPHE 4.2 | Health Communication & Advocacy | Elective | 3 | Communication Theories, Media Relations, Advocacy Strategies, Crisis Communication, Health Campaign Design, Public Awareness |
| MPHE 4.3 | Disaster Management & Emergency Preparedness | Elective | 3 | Disaster Cycle, Risk Assessment, Emergency Response, Humanitarian Aid, Public Health in Disasters, Climate Change Adaptation |
| MPHE 4.4 | Global Health | Elective | 3 | Global Burden of Disease, International Health Governance, Health Diplomacy, SDGs, Global Health Initiatives, Cross-border Health Issues |
| MPHE 4.5 | Mental Health in Public Health | Elective | 3 | Burden of Mental Illness, Mental Health Promotion, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Community Mental Health, Mental Health Policy, De-stigmatization |
| MPHE 4.6 | Public-Private Partnerships in Health | Elective | 3 | Rationale for PPP, Models of PPP, Contract Management, Risk Sharing, Public Health Sector Engagement, Case Studies |
| MPHE 4.7 | Social Determinants of Health | Elective | 3 | Social Gradient in Health, Income Inequality, Education and Health, Housing and Health, Social Justice, Health Equity |
| MPHE 4.8 | Quality Assurance in Health Care | Elective | 3 | Quality Concepts, Accreditation, Patient Safety, Healthcare Standards, Continuous Quality Improvement, Total Quality Management |
| MPHE 4.9 | Maternal and Child Health Programs | Elective | 3 | RMNCH+A, Antenatal Care, Immunization Programs, Child Survival Strategies, Adolescent Health, Nutritional Programs for MCH |
| MPHE 4.10 | Communicable Disease Surveillance & Control | Elective | 3 | Disease Surveillance Systems, Outbreak Investigation, Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Zoonotic Diseases, Vector Control, Antimicrobial Resistance |




