Master programme in Public Health Science: Childrens life and health
120 ECTS credits
Study programme
Do you want to participate in shaping the future of public health? When society is characterized by increasing mental illness, crime, and growing health disparities, the conditions in which children grow up become crucial for the future. Safe environments, good health, and social support can create opportunities for a life full of possibilities – while inequality, exclusion, and lack of resources can lead to poor health and risky behaviors. In the Master's program in Public Health - focusing on children's lives and health, you will gain knowledge about how we can create better living conditions for children and young people. In the program, you will learn how to understand the connections between social structures and children's health, how to work preventively to reduce poor health and inequality, and how to create health-promoting environments where all children have the opportunity to develop and thrive.
Education level:
Master's level
Prerequisites
Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits, including a degree project of at least 15 credits, or equivalent. Specific entry requirements: Swedish 3, English 6 and Mathematics 2a/2b/2c, or equivalent.
While studying
Education
The program is aimed at students who wish to obtain a master's degree in the main field of Public Health Science and involves studies at an advanced level. Students can have a broad entry into the program, which means a bachelor's degree regardless of previous major, for example in nursing, medicine, social work, psychology, or education.The education leading to a master's degree in public health science comprises 120 ECTS credits, of which at least 67.5 credits are within the main field. A thesis comprising at least 30 credits must be included in this. Courses totaling at least 90 credits are at an advanced level. Courses in scientific methodology totaling at least 15 credits at an advanced level must be included in the degree, and these are outside the main field's 67.5 credits. The remaining courses totaling 37.5 credits constitute elective courses, of which at least 7.5 credits are at an advanced level.
Form of Instruction
The program entails two years of full-time study. During terms 1-3, two courses are offered in parallel on a part-time basis, and in term 4 the student writes a thesis of 30 ECTS credits. Teaching takes place digitally with three to four on-campus sessions in Karlstad, usually 1-3 days per session.Teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, and group discussions, which take place via a digital platform. Teaching via Zoom takes place both "live" according to a set schedule and as recorded videos or other materials. In addition, self-study is included.
Within the framework of the education, there is the possibility of both internships within the future field of work and opportunities for studies abroad. The internship should provide students with knowledge relevant to public health science and should offer the opportunity to reflect on a future professional role. Highlighting the relationship between theory and practice is an important part of the internship, as a way to acquire new knowledge and also to anchor academic studies in a professional context.
Examination
The form of examination varies between courses. Both written and oral examinations occur, and as a rule, assignments, group work, project work, and active participation in seminars form the basis for examination.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Child health and life conditions from a public health perspective (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Qualitative Scientific Methodology (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Recognizing and responding to child maltreatment (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Equality in health (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Quantitative Scientific Methodology (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Collaboration for the best interests of the child (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Organisation, political governance and public health work (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Public Health Sciences: Practical Training (Optional) | 15 |
| The importance of the environment for health and development (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Public Health problematisation (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Master's Thesis in Public Health Sciences (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
Please note - not all programmes offer elective or optional courses.
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.
Future prospects
Employment Market
Studies within the program also provide a deepened scientific approach as a foundation for further studies, which is also applicable in a changing working life in, for example, qualified investigative and administrative work, development work, and project and work management. Job titles that the degree can lead to include public health strategist, business developer, project manager, investigator, among others. The competence is valuable in work areas such as international aid work, social medicine, public health work, health and medical care issues, research, and teaching.Degree
Degree of Master of Social Science (120 credits). Main field of study: Public Health Science.Tuition fees
- Total fee: 300,000 SEK
- Per semester / First payment: 75,000 SEK
You do not have to pay tuition fees if you are an exchange student or a citizen of a country within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.