MSc in Health in Humanitarian Crises

MSc in Health in Humanitarian Crises

Humanitarian crises due to armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other causes are major contributors to ill health and vulnerability worldwide. The persisting effects of crises on health and health systems can undermine decades of social development.

This new programme provides you with the knowledge and skills to improve the health of populations, communities and particular groups within them when these populations are affected by humanitarian crises. You are encouraged to develop transferable and subject-specific skills to address multi-faceted and current health problems in their local setting, as well as internationally.

This self-study programme will suit practitioners, policy-makers or researchers who wish to deepen their understanding of humanitarian issues and increase their potential for career development in public health. It is aimed at professionals who may already be involved in delivering public health projects in humanitarian crises at community, hospital or district level, in research, in ministries of health or other health- or development-related organisations.

Programme structure

• Postgraduate Certificate: 4 compulsory core modules
• Postgraduate Diploma: 8 modules (4 compulsory core + 1 additional compulsory + 3 elective modules)
• Master's: 8 modules (4 compulsory core modules + 1 additional compulsory + 3 elective modules)+ a project report

It is possible to register for the PG Certificate in the first instance then, on successful completion of the compulsory core modules, transfer your registration to the PG Diploma or MSc.

Compulsory core modules (PG Certificate, PG Diploma and MSc)

• IDM101 Principles of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• PHM214 Conflict and Health
• HHM101 Public Health Information in Humanitarian Crises
• HHM102 Design and Planning of Humanitarian Health Projects

Additional/elective modules (PG Diploma and MSc)

Additional compulsory module:

• HHM201 Management and Evaluation of Humanitarian Health Projects (compulsory for the PG Diploma and MSc)

Elective modules:

• GHM102 The Politics of Global Health Policy
• GHM104 Issues in Global Health Policy
• GHM202 Global Mental Health
• IDM104 Control of Infectious Diseases
• IDM202 Nutrition and Infection
• IDM215 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
• IDM301 Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases
• PHM204 Economic Evaluation
• PHM211 Medical Anthropology in Public Health
• PHM212 Organisational Management
• PHM218 Applied Communicable Disease Control

(Note that restrictions and pre-requisites may apply to some of the modules above. Not all elective modules will be available every year).

Project report (MSc only)

• HHM300 Project Report (compulsory for the MSc)

Study materials

Learning is via directed self-study against a detailed set of learning objectives for each module. Students have access to a range of study resources, discussion forums and online webinar discussion sessions via LSHTM’s virtual learning environment, Moodle.

Details of the study materials for each module can be found in the module specifications. Materials and resources for HHM modules may include:

• Interactive Computer Assisted Learning materials which introduce, explain and apply the principles and methods covered in the module
• Workbooks and study guides for some modules
• E-books and other recommended readings
• Real-time tutorials with module tutors on specific topics
• Self-assessed exercises and formative assignments
• Past examination papers and examiners’ reports
• Access to Stata statistical software if it is required for the module

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in module-specific discussions on Moodle, and to make use of LSHTM’s online library resources.

Module tutors provide feedback for all students via the online discussion forums and offer individual feedback on submitted assignments.

Tutorial support is available for most modules from the beginning of October through to the end of May, while two modules run from the beginning of January through to assignment submission at the end of August. The project work (MSc only) is carried out in the final year, with submission at the end of September.

Flexible study

The course allows you to study independently, at a time and pace that suits you (subject to some course-specific deadlines) using the comprehensive study materials provided, with support available from academic staff. You have between 1-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Certificate, and between 2-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc.

The study year for most modules runs from the beginning of October through to the June exams, while two modules run from the beginning of January through to assignment submission at the end of August. The project work (MSc only) is carried out in the final year, with submission at the end of September.