Overview of Programmes
MASTER OF HEALTH ECONOMICS PROGRAMME
The Department obtained accreditation from National Accreditation Board (NAB) now National Tertiary Education Commission in December 2018 to run the Master of Health Economics (MHE) programme. The programme beganduring the 2021/2022 Academic Year.
The aim of the programme is to train graduates in health economics, policy development, research, analysis and evaluation. The programme is designed to enhance knowledge in the application of economics to health. It is also designed to enhance skills to analyse and guide allocation or re-allocation of local resources to ensure efficient delivery of health resources for optimal outcomes. It is intended to enhance your chances of chatting a career into areas including health care administration, health care management, government departments or agencies, health insurance organizations, management consultancy, international organizations, NGOs, the pharmaceutical industry, medical sectors, commercial health sector and for a career in research or for further study.
The objectives of the proposed programme are to:
• Train critical mass of health economists for the health sector.
• Expose students to the challenges in health and health care that economics can help to analyze and provide solutions to.
• Equip students with skills for managing and mobilizing resources allocated for health care.
• Provide students with sound scientific basis for strengthening health systems, sound policy choices and cost-effective programmes.
• Train students in application of economic analysis for health care.
• Train students in health policy development, research, analysis and evaluation.
• Train students in health financing research and analysis.
These objectives are critical because substantial amounts of resources from donors and national governments are devoted to the health sector in the region. With the transition of Ghana and other sub-Sahara African countries into the middle-income status and attending reduction in donor funding for these countries, skills are required to analyse and guide allocation or re-allocation of local resources to ensure efficient delivery of health services for optimal outcomes.
Duration
One year (12 months).
Admission Requirement
Applicants for the MHE programme must possess good first degree (a minimum of Second Class Lower Division) in any of the following areas of study: Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or in a health or Biomedical and Social Science discipline. At least three (3) years relevant work experience in a related area in Public Sector, international agencies or NGOs after first degree or professional qualification.
Admissions Open To:
Individuals, government departments or agencies, private institutions, organisations, health institutions, educational or research institutions, international agencies and NGOs.
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the MHE programme must possess good first degree (a minimum of Second Class Lower Division) in any of the following areas of study: Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or in a health or Biomedical and Social Science discipline. At least three (3) years relevant work experience in related activities in public sector, international agencies or NGOs after first degree or professional qualification.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Semester 1
Core courses
Students are required to complete a total of 14 credit hours for required courses in Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credit |
| EPDC 621 | Principles of Epidemiology | 2 |
| BSTT 601 | Methods in Biostatistics | 3 |
| MHEC 601 | Fundamentals of Health Economics | 2 |
| MHEC 603 | Microeconomics for Health | 2 |
| MHEC 605 | Macroeconomics for Health | 2 |
| MHEC 607 | Health Economics Research Methods | 2 |
Elective courses
Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 credits and maximum of 8 credits hours for elective courses in Semester 1.
| Code | Title | Credit |
| MHEC 609 | Efficiency and Equity in Health | 2 |
| MHEC 611 | Globalization and Health | 2 |
| MHEC 613 | Poverty and Inequality | 2 |
| MHEC 615 | Economics of Pharmaceuticals | 2 |
Semester 2:
Core courses
Students are required to complete a total of 10 credit hours for required courses in Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credit |
| MHEC 602 | Applied Health Econometrics | 3 |
| MHEC 604 | Economic Evaluation | 3 |
| MHEC 606 | Health Policy and Systems Analysis | 2 |
| MHEC 608 | Leadership and Governance | 2 |
| MHEC 610 | Seminar* | 3 |
| MHEC 630 | Public Health Field Practice | 2 |
| MHEC 640 | Dissertation* | 12 |
Elective courses
Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 credit hours for
elective courses in Semester 2
Code | Title | Credit |
| MHEC 614 | Social Determinants of Health | 2 |
| MHEC 616 | Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Systems | 2 |
| MHEC 618 | Economics of Climate Change | 2 |
| MHEC 622 | Health Financing | 2 |
| MHEC 624 | Health Technology Assessment | 2 |
| HPPM 648 | Advanced Health Planning | 2 |
It is the oldest academic programme in the School and also the most subscribed. The programme aims at producing graduates who will be equipped with knowledge, competencies and skills to address public health challenges; undertake research in the discipline; promote healthy behavior and provide effective leadership. It is designed to prepare students for Public Health practice and research through the following areas of specialisation:
Duration:
1 year full-time
Health informatics is an inter-disciplinary field emphasizing the application of information science and technology to public health practice, research and teaching. This programme is, therefore, designed to provide capacity building that combines knowledge of current application of computers in the health field with a broad appreciation of the issues involved in the management and use of health information systems.
Duration: 1 year full-time
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control
The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control is a two-year postgraduate programme designed to provide intensive service-based and on-the-job training in applied epidemiology and public health laboratory practice. The programme is targeted at medical doctors, veterinarians, laboratory scientists, and public health professionals, and leads to the award of an M.Phil degree in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control.
The programme combines didactic classroom instruction with structured field placement activities, allowing students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for effective public health practice.
Programme Objective
The primary objective of the programme is to strengthen national public health capacity by developing a cadre of highly skilled health professionals with advanced competencies in applied epidemiology and laboratory management. Graduates are trained to support and enhance national disease surveillance systems through a multidisciplinary, team-based approach.
Public Health Impact
As part of efforts to strengthen the national surveillance system, the programme supports the establishment of zonal and regional surveillance units staffed by a mix of highly skilled professionals, including medical, laboratory, veterinary, and public health experts trained in applied epidemiology and disease control.
Graduates of the programme are strategically positioned at the national, zonal, and regional levels to contribute to disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and evidence-based public health decision-making across the country.
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MSC) IN CLINICAL TRIALS
What is the programme about?
The MSc Clinical Trials programme is offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health. The programme is designed to train and develop the human resource capacity needed to address the growing shortage of research expertise in biomedical research, including the development and testing of diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, herbal medicines, and other medical interventions that inform disease management and health improvement in Ghana and the sub-region.
The introduction of the MSc Clinical Trials programme was premised on the recognition that Master of Public Health (MPH) training alone is often insufficient to adequately prepare professionals for the rigorous demands of the design, development, and evaluation of medical products and interventions. This programme therefore builds on public health training by providing specialized and in-depth knowledge in clinical trials.
The programme equips students with advanced competencies in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials, with particular emphasis on trials that directly inform clinical practice and public health decision-making. Teaching and learning are strongly oriented towards the conduct of research that produces the highest quality evidence.
The programme is delivered by globally acclaimed faculty with extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience, reflecting both public-sector and private industry perspectives.
How Relevant is the MSc Clinical Trials Programme Today?
The key lessons from the Ebola, Avian flu, COVID-19 crises among many include the fact that, even the so-called developing countries need to develop capacity to be self-sustaining in vaccine development relevant to their local disease profiles.
In Ghana, national efforts are being intensified to promote public–private collaboration in vaccine development. At the same time, pharmaceuticals, herbal products, and alternative medical interventions are increasingly being subjected to rigorous scientific scrutiny, driven by growing public awareness of patients’ rights, treatment outcomes, and evidence-based care.
The MSc Clinical Trials programme is therefore highly relevant, positioning graduates to play critical roles in clinical research, regulatory science, product development, and evidence-based healthcare at national and regional levels.
Duration: 2 years
Applied Health Social Sciences is a new interdisciplinary field which emphasizes the application of the entire range of Health Social Science disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Anthropology to Public Health and the application of Social Science research methodologies and Implementation Research to promote health and well-being. The MSc./MPhil AHSS programme is designed for university graduates and health professionals from all disciplines (both humanities and sciences) with work experience in health-related fields who desire to have expertise in the application of health social science research methodologies to address health issues for effective programme implementation and delivery
Duration: 1 year full-time
The programme provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the issues involved in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of randomized controlled trials of health interventions. The main disciplinary perspectives will come from clinical trials, statistics and epidemiology, but others will contribute. Students will be trained to develop skills to scrutinize information, to critically analyse and carry out research and to communicate effectively. The Clinical Trials programme is designed to address the increasing need for rigorous evaluation of new products and interventions for health care in the developing world.
Duration: 1 year full-time
PROGRAMME: MSC ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The MSc. programme is open to candidates with the following qualifications and backgrounds
1. Applicants must hold a good first degree (preferably a 2nd Class lower or better or a final Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0) or its equivalent in a relevant field of study at the University of Ghana or any recognized/accredited tertiary institution. Degree could be in any of the following disciplines: Medical, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical, Chemical & Engineering and related sciences. Applicants with a third class may be considered for admission based on relevant work experience and other qualifications.
2. Foreign students will be considered for admission if they hold qualifications interpreted to be equivalent to those stated above.
DURATION OF PROGRAMME AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
The MSc. (Environmental & Occupational Health) programme is a full time one (1) year or two (2) semesters programme. The programme consists of course work divided into two semesters with a total of 24-36 credits or (12-18) credits per semester. Seminars and Occupational Health Practice will be 3 credits, while Dissertations will have 12 credits. The total number of credits is between 39 and 51.
For Seminars and Occupational Health Practice, students will spend four (4) weeks at the beginning of the Second Semester in the field attached to a health, manufacturing, mining, agricultural or other relevant work establishment. This attachment is intended to offer them the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom and to acquire the necessary skills and competencies for effective environmental & occupational health practice. During this period, they would undertake studies into relevant areas of practice and present a report. Field Supervisors will be appointed by the host institution, with approval from the Department to provide guidance for and supervision of the student. Interactive sessions with experts in the field combined with scores from field practice will generate the needed scores for the Seminar.
Regulations governing graduate studies and requirements for graduation in the University of Ghana as stated in the Handbook for graduate studies degree shall apply to this programme. Successful students who satisfy all the requirements of the University shall be awarded the Master of Science degree in Environmental & Occupational Health (MSc. Environmental & Occupational Health).
DURATION: 12 MONTHS
Recommended graduation requirements Course activity
| Course Activity | Credits |
| Coursework | 24-36 |
| Seminars & Public Health Practice | 3 |
| Dissertation | 12 |
| Total | 39-51 |
Credits 24-36
3 12
39-51
MSc BIOETHICS
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The MSc in Bioethics is an interdisciplinary graduate programme designed to prepare professionals to address complex ethical challenges in healthcare, research, public health, policy, and emerging technologies. Across Africa, and particularly in Ghana, rapid advances in biomedical research, digital health, genomics, public health interventions, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceutical development have intensified the need for ethically grounded leadership. This programme equips graduates with the analytical skills, ethical reasoning, and policy competence required to guide responsible decision-making in these areas. The programme integrates theory and practice, enabling students to critically examine ethical dilemmas in clinical care, research governance, public health programming, and health systems leadership within both local and global contexts.
Duration: 1 Year (Full-Time) Module: Regular
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Students in the MSc Bioethics programme will develop competencies in:
The programme emphasizes African ethical perspectives while engaging with global bioethical scholarship and regulatory standards.
COURSES
Research Ethics and Integrity
Research Methods in Bioethics
Moral Philosophy and Contemporary Ethical Theories
Advanced Public Health Ethics
Ethics of Collaborative Research
Community and Public Engagement in Public Health
Sociology of Health
Vaccine Ethics, Clinical Trials and Pharmacovigilance
Teaching and Writing Methods in Bioethics
Health Law and Bioethics
Practicum
Advanced Research Methods in Bioethics
Ethics in Genetics and Genomics Research
Culture, Religion and Ethics
Clinical Ethics
Food and Nutrition Ethics
Ethics and Public Policy
Reproductive Ethics
Environmental Ethics
Practicum, Seminar, and Dissertation
Seminar
Dissertation
RESEARCH COMPONENT
The MSc in Bioethics includes a mandatory dissertation designed to strengthen students’ ability to independently examine ethical issues in health, science, and society. Over the twelve-month programme, students conduct supervised research using approaches such as empirical studies, normative analysis, systematic or scoping reviews, or policy analysis.
The dissertation allows students to apply interdisciplinary knowledge gained during coursework to a focused ethical issue in areas such as biomedical research, clinical practice, public health, community engagement, or health regulation. Each student works closely with a faculty supervisor, and the final dissertation undergoes both internal and external examination.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the MSc Bioethics programme are well positioned for leadership and specialist roles across multiple sectors in Ghana, Africa, and internationally. Potential career paths include.
CLINICAL AND HOSPITAL SETTINGS
RESEARCH AND REGULATORY INSTITUTIONS
GOVERNMENT AND POLICY
INTERNATIONAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
ACADEMIA AND FURTHER STUDY
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must satisfy the following:
A good first degree (minimum Second Class Lower Division or equivalent) from a recognised university in any of the following fields:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
A minimum of one (1) year relevant work experience after completion of first degree or professional qualification offers an advantage.
WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME?
PROGRAMME: MSC ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The MSc. programme is open to candidates with the following qualifications and backgrounds
1. Applicants must hold a good first degree (preferably a 2nd Class lower or better or a final Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0) or its equivalent in a relevant field of study at the University of Ghana or any recognized/accredited tertiary institution. Degree could be in any of the following disciplines: Medical, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical, Chemical & Engineering and related sciences. Applicants with a third class may be considered for admission based on relevant work experience and other qualifications.
2. Foreign students will be considered for admission if they hold qualifications interpreted to be equivalent to those stated above.
DURATION OF PROGRAMME AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
The MSc. (Environmental & Occupational Health) programme is a full time one (1) year or two (2) semesters programme. The programme consists of course work divided into two semesters with a total of 24-36 credits or (12-18) credits per semester. Seminars and Occupational Health Practice will be 3 credits, while Dissertations will have 12 credits. The total number of credits is between 39 and 51.
For Seminars and Occupational Health Practice, students will spend four (4) weeks at the beginning of the Second Semester in the field attached to a health, manufacturing, mining, agricultural or other relevant work establishment. This attachment is intended to offer them the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom and to acquire the necessary skills and competencies for effective environmental & occupational health practice. During this period, they would undertake studies into relevant areas of practice and present a report. Field Supervisors will be appointed by the host institution, with approval from the Department to provide guidance for and supervision of the student. Interactive sessions with experts in the field combined with scores from field practice will generate the needed scores for the Seminar.
Regulations governing graduate studies and requirements for graduation in the University of Ghana as stated in the Handbook for graduate studies degree shall apply to this programme. Successful students who satisfy all the requirements of the University shall be awarded the Master of Science degree in Environmental & Occupational Health (MSc. Environmental & Occupational Health).
DURATION: 12 MONTHS
Recommended graduation requirements Course activity
| Course Activity | Credits |
| Coursework | 24-36 |
| Seminars & Public Health Practice | 3 |
| Dissertation | 12 |
| Total | 39-51 |
Credits 24-36
3 12
39-51
Monitoring and Evaluation is essential in the systematic documentation of the success and challenges of health interventions. Thus, M&E is one of the building blocks of development, as well as a tool for accountability and a resource allocation mechanism.
The establishment of an effective M&E system in Ghana can only be achieved through an elaborate and systematic training of M&E professionals. This course is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge and skills in M&E with practical tuition that will help students understand and integrate M&E concepts, approaches, methods and plans into their programmes and projects.
The School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana is inviting applications for its innovative MSc Public Health Monitoring & Evaluation. The School is a member of the Global Evaluation and Monitoring Network for Health (GEMNET-Health), a network of leading M&E training institutions launched by the USAID-funded MEASURE Evaluation project (https://www.measureevaluation.org/reso urces/networks/gemnet-health).
The objectives of the programme are to:
1. Train a critical mass of M&E experts for the health and related sectors in Ghana and the sub-region;
2. Provide students with sound scientific grounding in M&E principles and the use of various M&E frameworks; 3. Equip students with skills for planning, designing and implementing M&E programmes;
4. Train students in developing M&E tools and systems;
5. Train students to design and undertake impact evaluation of programmes/ interventions.
Duration: One year (12 months).
Admission Requirement
Health professionals and other graduates with a good first degree (a minimum of second class lower division) in Social Science, Environmental Health, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Dentistry; and at least three (3) years relevant work experience in M&E related activities in Public Sector, international agencies or NGOs after first degree or professional qualification.
The University of Ghana School of Public Health in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is offering an Online MSc in Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programming. The programme is jointly developed and delivered by the University of Ghana School of Public Health and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The overarching aim of the programme is to strengthen capacity of individuals in sexual and reproductive health rights policy and programming in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of:
Target
The programme primarily targets individuals interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills required to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based sexual and reproductive health programmes and policies in sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income settings.
Mode of delivery
The programme will be delivered online, with a mix of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as recorded or self-directed study (asynchronous learning). It will be offered either full-time or part-time. The initial degree will be awarded by the London of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Who can apply?
The course is open to individuals working in the health sector, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights, adolescent health, women’s health, gender-based violence and related domains.
Admission requirements
Prospective applicants must have a good first degree (second-class lower or better) in a relevant discipline; a relevant professional qualification; or relevant professional experience which is judged by LSHTM and UGSPH to be equivalent to a Second-Class Honours degree or above. In addition, applicant must have worked either in the health sector in sexual and reproductive health field in low- and middle-income country setting for a minimum of two years.
Duration: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time