The Master of Public Health (MPH) at Sechenov University is a multidisciplinary higher professional education programme which enables graduates (masters) to conduct research and management activities in the field of public health, to successfully work in the field, possess universal and subject-specific competences allowing them for social mobility and stability in the labor market.
We train a competent specialist with a multidisciplinary background who can develop a new policy in public health in the XXI century. Developing the personality traits of each student, we train a professional who knows how to work in a team, to promote healthy lifestyle among different population groups, to lead the people, to adapt quickly to changing conditions in the country and the goals of the organization, who can effectively respond to existing challenges and develop a whole Public Health cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring and assessment of interventions.
The faculty optimally combines research and educational processes, our academic staff is actively involved in research work, which allows to introduce the latest developments into the educational process and involve students to conduct independent scientific research to apply the acquired knowledge into practice.
PROGRAMME BACKGROUND
Russian healthcare sector is currently undergoing a number of transitions and paradigm shifts, faces several serious challenges, primarily associated with continuously increasing societal demands related to the quality of healthcare services as well as growing globalization of the world economy and the markets of intellectual and human capital. Public health careers for the 21st century, along with many in the related health and human services, will require competence in interprofessional practice that coordinates skill sets and perspectives of various disciplines in pursuing effective, comprehensive, systems-level improvements to our environment and social structure. Interprofessional competencies refer to the capacity of individuals and teams to enact knowledge, skills, values and attitudes essential for working together across professions and stakeholder groups to improve outcomes.
The Programme is destined for those who actually do or plan to do evaluation, study, and improvement of public health in Russia and globally, as well as implement effective healthcare stratagies worldwide. We believe that the key elements in the implementation of the mission are Research-based Training, Interdisciplinary Outreach and Leadership.
Sechenov University launched the Master's Programme in Public Health in 2009. In the fall term of 2014, the MPH Programme launched the first class for students in English.
According to the APHEA (Belgium) and evalag (Germany) reviewers’ recommendations we have improved objectives of the Programme, its curriculum and disciplines, etc. to make the programme more public health-oriented and to minimize the gap with the requirements of European programmes.
All of the aforesaid allowed us to set the following mission, objectives, aims, vision and core values.
MISSION & STRATEGY
The mission of the Programme is to provide a modern education in the field of theory, practice and research in public health, health care, management, leadership, and personnel management.
One of the strategic objectives of Sechenov University is to promote integration of the Russian and international healthcare standards as well as the introduction of advanced healthcare system management practices and formation of individual health management plans, synchronization of the Russian and international requirements for training programmes in medical education.
KEY OBJECTIVES
• To provide education that is relevant to the contemporary global public health field.
• To introduce master students to an interdisciplinary public health landscape informed by political, economic, human and social science perspectives.
• To prepare graduates for future effective practice activities in the field of public health.
• To prepare graduates to become modern, sought-after specialists who are ready to create and implement their own research and practice programs and projects aimed at improving public health.
• To provide graduates with all necessary skills in order to work in the field of management of healthcare organizations irrespective of their forms of ownership.
• To prepare graduates to conduct educational and outreach activities in the field of public health protection and promotion.
AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME
• Educational Aim: Use innovative and rigorous teaching and learning strategies to prepare a diverse student body with the competencies necessary to be leaders in Public Health.
• Service Aim: Serve communities locally and globally through workforce development activities, community engagement, service, and leadership.
• Research Aim: Advance Public Health theory and practice through innovative, interdisciplinary research.
• Administrative Aim: Operate and enhance MPH Program that supports faculty, staff, and student excellence and upholds the mission of University.
VISION: Learning from the best to shape the future.
CORE VALUES
• Excellence: Demonstrate outstanding performance in all teaching & learning, research, and service activities.
• Diversity: Value the unique and various backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs of our faculty, staff, students, and communities we serve.
• Dedication: A commitment to community partnerships that promote student learning, professional growth, enhanced public health practice, and the dedication, passion and enthusiasm required to work with communities on addressing today’s complex health problems.
• Discovery: The program encourages its faculty and students to actively pursue the latest determinations, breakthroughs, and findings with the understanding that they will be translated into beneficial applications to underserved communities.
• Relevance: The program engages in projects and activities that support both the academic mission of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and efforts to improve the health of communities via supporting a culture of inquiry, encouraging individuals to ask questions, as a means to develop critical thinking, and a culture of research leading to evidence-based solutions that will address public health problems, promoting lifelong learning, and professional development.
• Transformation: We educate graduates to transform their communities by protecting and promoting health and wellness as both a value and moral responsibility. This transformation will be achieved by educating students and in turn the public to make informed decisions that can lead to one’s full health potential. As a result, human suffering will be lessened, and the sanctity of life regarded.
KEY BENEFITS
Admission for individuals with diverse educational and professional backgrounds.
Curriculum based on international standards with participation of internationally recognized teachers and invited speakers.
Student-focused individual educational pathways (learning trajectories) which take into account their backgrounds and reflect their professional interests resulting in the MPH degree thus reaching common professional standard.
Flexible organization of integrating experience modules allowing practicing at the student’s current workplace, short-term placements in other regions of the country, etc.
Primarily Russia-focused allowing to the multinational, multicultural and multireligious population.
Community-oriented practical trainings in outpatient clinics and social care.
Internationally accredited.
The Programme lasts for two years and covers four semesters. Courses studied within the 1st semester are focused on the acquisition of basic knowledge about public health and its determinants, demography, biostatistics, management, health promotion and health education within the frameworks of core modules. In addition, students master skills in research practice and research work.
Within the 2nd semester, students continue to get acquainted with the problems of public health and its determinants, management, health promotion and health education. In addition, the curriculum includes the study of information technology required for information processing and working with databases, epidemiology which complements knowledge of the methodology of scientific research and prevention, project and process analysis as core modules. The research work started in the 1st semester is continued.
The 3rd semester includes inquiry of healthcare organization within the framework of core modules. Within the 3rd semester, master students continue their research work, and get involved into professional practice.
The 4th semester is entirely devoted to research work and integrating experience (project practice and pre-diploma practice), as well as preparation and defence of their master's theses).
The program is structured in a way that students learn curriculum disciplines consistently, and by the 4th semester they fully acquire the skills in methodology of public health research for independent planning and implementation of research.
Given the constantly growing number of international students at Sechenov University we become highly involved in their future careers and opportunities. Thus Sechenov University is aimed at international accreditation of its educational programmes as the key element of broadening our graduates' career pathways. Today Sechenov University is known globally for its academic and research excellence with it's educational programmes accredited in many countries. In particular the Public Health programme accredited in:
- Germany. Evalag (Evaluationsagentur Baden-Württemberg)
- Israel
- Jordan
- Mongolia
- Palestine
- Syria
- Vietnam