Background
The Masters in Public Health (MPH) program is being offered at the Indian Institute of Public Health
Shillong (IIPHS) in collaboration with Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong. Shillong is the
educational hub of Northeast India, drawing students from the eight states of the region and
from all over India. It is part of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot and offers
unmatched opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts and nature adventure. The tribal tapestry of
the region provides a deep diversity for learning and research, and for rich cultural
experiences.
The MPH course will attempt to prepare a competent cadre of professionals who have a basic
understanding of the various aspects of public health and are able to successfully apply this
knowledge toward meeting public health challenges in the Indian context. The state of
Meghalaya has sanctioned posts for state and district-level epidemiologists in the Department
of Health & Family Welfare.
The National Health Policy 2017 of the Government of India, section 11.8 recommends the
creation of a “Public Health Management Cadre in all States based on public health or related
disciplines, as an entry criterion. The policy also advocates an appropriate career structure
and recruitment policy to attract young and talented multidisciplinary professionals. Medical
and health professionals would form a major part of this, but professionals coming in from
diverse backgrounds such as sociology, economics, anthropology, nursing, hospital
management, communications, etc. who have since undergone public health management
training would also be considered. States could decide to locate these public health managers,
with medical and non-medical qualifications, into same or different cadre streams belonging to
Directorates of health.” – National Health Policy 2017.
Objectives
In keeping with PHFI’s mission to develop a public health workforce for India, this course aims
to develop and strengthen the public health workforce and to develop capacity in health care
leadership and management in northeast India.
1. To strengthen knowledge, skills, and attitudes pertinent to public health
2. To develop leadership and management skills in public health
3. To enhance analytical and assessment skills in collecting and interpreting information
4. To inculcate policy planning and development skills to address public health challenges
5. To develop communication skills for advocacy, dissemination and evaluation of public health
data and information.
Course Duration
The program is divided in four semesters over a period of two years.
Eligibility
Eligibility: Group 1: Health sciences (≥3 years UG)
MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences (BNYS),
Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS), Veterinary Sciences (BVSc.), Nursing,
Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical
Imaging Technology, Surgical and Operation Theatre Technology, Optometry, Physician
Assistant, Other Allied Health degrees, Community/Public Health, BTech or BE (any branch),
Statistics, Demography, Population Studies, Nutrition/Dietetics, Psychology,
Anthropology/Medical Anthropology, Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Botany,
Zoology & other Equivalent degrees. Duration: 2 years
Eligibility: Group 2: Life/Population Sciences/Non-Life Science streams (2-year PG)
Statistics, Demography, Population Studies, Nutrition, Dietetics, Allied Health degrees, Life
Sciences (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, etc.), Sociology, Economics, Psychology,
Anthropology/Medical Anthropology, Dietetics, Social Work, Management, Law & other
Equivalent degrees. Duration: 2 years
Eligibility: Group 3: All Non-Life Science streams (e.g., Arts, Commerce) (3-year UG)
Sociology, Economics, Social Work, Management, Law, Arts, Natural Sciences & other
Equivalent degrees.
Duration: 3 years including a 1-year bridge course.
Candidates with sufficient experience in public health may be exempt from the bridge course.
Selection Process
An application form is to be submitted along with a 300–350-word personal statement on ‘Why
I wish to do an MPH‘ and a 500–750-word essay on a ‘Public Health Issue of Relevance to
India‘.
The personal statement and the essay are to be typed in single space with Times New Roman
font size 12.
Application forms and other supporting documents may be submitted online at the Martin
Luther Christian University (MLCU) website.
Course Focus and Teaching Methods
The pedagogy will include lectures, practicum, fieldwork, assignments, and internship, some
subjects will be delivered in modules. Assessment will be conducted through continuous
formative evaluation, presentations, and reports.
This MPH covers the general areas of the discipline of public health such as epidemiology,
biostatistics, demography, public health nutrition, environment & occupational health, public
health management, behavioral and social sciences, health promotion, health economics,
health systems, and health policy.
In addition, the student may choose from electives such as Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn,
Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), advanced epidemiology, and communicable
diseases.
Students will be registered with MLCU and the degree will be conferred by the University
Please apply on-line/send your filled application form to the address given below:
The Registrar, Martin Luther Christian University
Dongktieh, Block 1, Nongrah, Shillong-793006, Meghalaya
Phone No: +91 364 2535437, E-mail: admissions@mlcuniv.in