Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH)

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH) is a broad-based qualification which is highly sought after by a range of employers. It is relevant and practical, with graduates being able to identify and understand public health issues, and depending on which optional papers are taken, gain the skills to analyse and use health data, design appropriate health promotion strategies, plan and evaluate public health interventions, work collaboratively with professionals and the community, appreciate resource allocation and cost issues in health and uphold ethical standards.

The DPH consists of four core papers, with a further four papers chosen from the schedule enabling the qualification to cover a broad range of public health topics. We expect that the majority of students will complete an unendorsed DPH, however there are three endorsed options for those with specific interest areas in epidemiology, health promotion, or social research methods.

For those who are planning to go on to a Master of Public Health (MPH), a research paper relevant to the intended methodological approach needs to be included as one of the optional four papers. This is in addition to the core epidemiology paper, PUBH 711 Principles of Epidemiology.

The DPH can be used as a stand-alone qualification, but equally you can use the papers from the Diploma to progress to the Master of Public Health (MPH). Note candidates for the MPH must have attained a good B average (73%) overall in their DPH.

Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH)

1. Admission to the Programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School, which must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability and experience to proceed to the programme.
   2. Every applicant shall have fulfilled one of the following conditions:
      1. have been admitted to a degree or diploma of a university in New Zealand;
      2. hold an appropriate professional qualification approved by the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School;
      3. have been admitted ad eundem statum as entitled to proceed to the diploma.

2. Structure of the Programme

   1. The programme of study shall consist of approved papers from the Schedule for either the unendorsed or an endorsed option worth a total of 120 points, including the four compulsory papers (PUBH 711, PUBH 712, PUBH 713 and PUBH 714, each worth 15 points). A candidate shall not be awarded the diploma unless a pass has been gained in each of the selected papers including the compulsory papers.
   2. If the diploma is to be endorsed in an area of specialisation, the papers must be as specified in the schedule.
   3. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), a candidate may substitute for prescribed papers worth up to 30 points an appropriate paper at an equivalent level offered by another university or examining body.
   4. A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health shall be exempted from those papers for the diploma which have been previously passed for the certificate.

3. Duration of the Programme

   The duration of the programme shall be one academic year of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.

4. Examination

   Every candidate must gain terms before being admitted to examinations.