Graduate Level

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership in public health. The mission of the Thammasat University’s MPH programs is to provide broad and holistic public health perspectives, knowledge, skills and analytic capabilities, necessary for individuals to assume effective leadership in public health practice and governance; to protect and promote the health of diverse populations at the local, provincial, national and international levels.

The programs are designed for mid-career professionals from public, private and non-profit sectors, who complete 42 graduate credits either through full time (international program) or part-time (Thai program) study. Coming from diverse professional settings, students bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to the program. The majority of these students are professionals from the health sector, industrial and business settings, or civil society and with a minimum of two years of work experience, who are preparing for advancement in their organizations or for transition into new fields.

Various fields of study allow students to focus on following domains: global health for the international program and; public health services management; health, safety and environment management; or health promotion management for the Thai program. The thesis or a master project provides an opportunity for students to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in a public health setting. Students can carry out their thesis or project master within Thailand or overseas.

Study options

The 42 credit MPH programs are implemented as:

(a) A full-time international study program, non-thesis track, during 16 months including a master project relevant to global health.

(b) Or a full-time international study program, thesis track, during 16 months including research work relevant to global health.

(c) A part-time Thai study program, non-thesis track, during 24 months including a master project for each of its concentrations.

(d) Or a part-time Thai study program, thesis track, during 24 months including research work for each of its concentrations.

Areas of study

A. The International MPH (Global Health) Program

q Program philosophy

To effectively address critical problems in population health and safety, the 20th century public health paradigm must be transformed into a 21st century global health model of partnership created on principles of equality, transparency, mutual interest, and respect. The Thammasat Faculty of Public Health is leading the way to develop international collaborations in education and research reflecting this new model. Our priorities include developing a graduate program that defines global health from a political perspective with an emphasis on interregional capacity building applying a South-to-South focus (Africa, Asia-Pacific and Middle East).

While enormous progress has taken place in aspects of biomedical science, the tools of public health and management, and social and political engagement, it is only when these elements have come together that we have seen real and lasting strides in improving the health of the world’s poorest citizens. By using our collective experiences, resources, and expertise we can help change the fundamentals of global health. Not alone in narrow disciplines, but through partnerships that draw on differing perspectives, differing knowledge and experience, and differing priorities. Understanding how to mobilize such partnerships, how to make them most effective, and where to turn for experience empowers us at the global stage. The program aims to produce the intellectual foundation supporting a 21st century model of global health.

q Program objectives

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership in public health. The Thammasat Faculty of Public Health goal is to offer a curriculum that provides graduates with broad and holistic public health perspectives, knowledge, skills and analytic capabilities, necessary for individuals to assume effective leadership in public health practice and governance; and to protect and promote the health of diverse populations at national, bilateral and multilateral levels.

Core competencies addressed by the program can be described as follows:

Apply the theories and principles of epidemiology, economic and social development, policy and political analysis to the identification, classification and elaboration of global health threats and opportunities at the community, national and international levels.
Understand and assess the functions, capacities, management and governance of governmental, international and non-governmental organizations in the translation of scientific and program evidence to inform public health policy making and strategy development.
Critically analyze global health trends, differentiating determinants that can be effectively addressed through technical, behavioral, social and economic interventions and prioritizing approaches based on economic affordably and political feasibility.
Apply public health theory and evidence in the development and management of project, program and institutional strategies capable of reducing health risks, addressing underlying vulnerabilities, and mitigating the impact disease.
Synthesize public health research findings with economic and social arguments to formulate communication strategies in global health action in various professional, institutional, political and cultural settings.
Evaluate the inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and impacts of global health project, program and policy approaches and interventions though the appropriate choice and application of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.
Evaluate the inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and impacts of global health project, program and policy approaches and interventions though the appropriate choice and application of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.
Understand the ethical issues involved related to public health research, disease control, health promotion, environmental and occupational health, health systems, and public health professional practice in global health settings.

q Program features

Degree: Master of Public Health
Major: Global Health
Minor: Personal tailored
Study tracks: Thesis (plan-A) and non-thesis (plan-B)
Target groups: Mid-level professionals
Language medium: English
Study plan: 42 credits full-time study
Duration: 16 months including 2 months practicum
Optional: Internship opportunities in professional global health settings

Curricula outlines << (Global Health)

Course descriptions

Pre-program workshop

The pre-program workshop introduces students to the principles of: systems theory with a focus on human activity systems; perceptions and critical thinking, reasoning and logic, and analyzing arguments; problem analysis/solving models, problem analysis/solving in human activity systems and threats to problem analysis/solving processes and techniques; using dialogues on an evolving public health discipline, cross cultural issues, as well as aspects of student centered learning.

GH601 Applied Biostatistics for Global Health                                              3 (3-0-9)
The course provides applications of inferential statistics to global public health problems. Major topics include basic probability, random variables and their probability distributions, parameter estimation, test of hypotheses, chi-square procedures, correlation, regression, and some nonparametric methods. In addition to class lectures, students will have laboratory sessions to practice skills at data analysis and interpretation using a statistical software package.

GH602 Quantitative Research Methods                                                       3 (3-0-9)
This course is designed to familiarize students with quantitative approaches to research questions in international health with an emphasis on survey research methods. Topics include: sampling strategies; measurement and operationalization; questionnaire design; interviewing, data editing and coding; secondary analysis; issues in the selection of database management and statistical analysis software; and political and ethical influences on research and evaluation.

GH603 Qualitative Research Methods                                                          3 (3-0-9)
This course is designed to familiarize students with a range of qualitative approaches to research questions in international health. Students are expected to gain substantial familiarity with one method of particular interest, as well as develop a thorough understanding of processes of data collection and analysis. The course also provides an introduction to interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological debates as well as examples of excellent qualitative approaches to international health research.

GH611 Applied Epidemiology: A Global Perspective                                     3 (3-0-9)Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health in populations and the application of this study to improve health outcomes. It is the basic science of public health. This course introduces students to the field of public health epidemiology from a global perspective, emphasizing methods for assessing factors associated with the distribution and etiology of health and disease. Skills include methods for identifying and evaluating sources of health information, calculation of key epidemiologic measures, epidemiological investigation techniques, and evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs.

GH621 Global Health Policy and Planning                                                     3 (3-0-9)
This course will review key issues, concepts and theories related to the reform, planning, financing, organization, and management of public health services and population oriented health systems worldwide in a "globalizing" world. Issues covered are: definition and determinants of Health; globalization and health; the roles and functions of Ministries of Health; health system reform: global perspectives; planning for health and health services; financing health services and approaches to provider payment; organization and management of health systems, programs and services; evaluation of public health programs, policies and projects; introduction to the architecture of current global health, governance and critical global health organizations: UN Agencies, Int'l NGOs, and donors.

GH622 Public Health Program Planning                                                        3 (3-0-9)
This course provides an overview of the current status of program planning. Its purpose is to give students an understanding of the planning process, to familiarize them with current program planning techniques and to help them develop the skills to apply these techniques to public health interventions. The role of program planning within broader management and policy processes is reviewed, and the characteristics and nature of these activities discussed. Finally, the skills to apply planning concepts to public health interventions are practiced.

GH623 Public Health Program Evaluation                                                     (3-0-9)
This course provides an overview of program evaluation. Its purpose is to give students an understanding of the evaluation process, to familiarize them with evaluation techniques and to help them develop the skills to apply these techniques to public health interventions. The role of program evaluation within broader management and policy processes is reviewed, and the characteristics and nature of these activities discussed. The different types of evaluation, including needs assessments, process and outcome evaluations, from the perspectives of different stakeholders are introduced. Finally, the skills to apply evaluation concepts to public health interventions are practiced.

GH624 Policy Analysis for Public Health                                                      3 (3-0-9)
The course presents a framework for evaluating policies and understanding how political factors influence policy development. The first part of the course explores the use of techniques to model the impact of policies. Emphasis will be placed on the introduction and the application of selected empirical and theoretical tools. The second part draws on the disciplines of political science and public choice economics to study the behaviour of participants in the policy making process.

GH631 Social-Behavioural Sciences in Global Health                                   3 (3-0-9)
This core course examines social, psychological and cultural factors that have an impact on public health in community, national and global contexts. These factors may include population characteristics such as social class, poverty, gender, culture and race/ethnicity as well as individual beliefs and behaviours that affect public health problems and their solutions. Theories and perspectives drawn from sociology, anthropology, and psychology are applied to critical issues in global public health including the AIDS epidemic, mental illness, war trauma, suicide, and natural disasters as well as behavioural health problems such as smoking, substance abuse, and obesity.

GH641 International Agreements, Trade and Public Health                        2 (2-0-6)
This course applies a critical appraisal; with a focus on interrelationships of economic conditions, partnerships, and the politics; of issues such as: International Health Regulations, Codex Alimentarius, Sanitary & Phyto-sanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade agreement, Multilateral trade (GATS/TRIPS) agreements, economic policy and public health; gender & trade; food & nutrition; tobacco; alcohol; pharmaceuticals; and health insurance. Case studies make use of ethnographies, epidemiologic studies, program reports, and policy papers.

GH642 Fundamental Health Economics                                                         3 (3-0-9)
This course provides an introduction to and application of micro- and macroeconomics to the fields of health services provision and policy. Students are instructed in basic economic concepts: utility, marginal analysis, demand, elasticity, costs, supply, opportunity costs, market structure, and private, public, and social goods in terms of microeconomic theory and national GDP, income, fiscal, and monetary policy. From this background, they will apply their understanding to issues specific to health economics, including topics such as demand versus need, costs of providing health services, structure of the health care market, labor, hospitals, managed care, insurance (public and private), and pharmaceutical interventions and practice patterns.

GH651 Global Environmental Health                                                           3 (3-0-9)
This course will cover the intersection of political, economic and social factors that compound the clinical affects of xenobiotic exposures. Historical and contemporary examples will be used, as cited below. The concepts of contamination and deficiencies of air, water, food, soil, and other potential sources of xenobiotics will be reviewed, as will public health successes and failures. Students will learn about the local and global effects of war, poverty, famine, and government policy on the environment and how these ultimately affect human health. Ideally students will be encouraged to engage in more in-depth study of either policy, or basic science investigations as suited to the individual MPH student on a regional or international level.

GH661 Globalization, Mobility and Public Health                                          2 (2-0-6)
This course applies a critical appraisal; with a focus on interrelationships of economic conditions, partnerships, funding and the politics; of issues such as: migration (domestic & international), refugees, trafficking, international human rights and public health, international perspectives on equity, health & foreign policy, global health: a local issue, gender-globalization & health (mental health, violence, occupational health & safety, infectious diseases, addictions) , urbanization and health. Case studies make use of ethnographies, epidemiologic studies, program reports, and policy papers.

GH662 Globalization and Health Systems                                                     2 (2-0-6)
This course applies a critical appraisal; with a focus on interrelationships of economic conditions, partnerships, funding and the politics; of issues such as: globalization and the challenges to health systems: the burden of local problems and international transfer of risk. International cooperation: reconciling national self-interest and international mutual interest; globalization & health sector reform; public-private mix & internal brain drain; globalization of the health sector; addressing performance: health policy and planning, decentralization, district health strengthening, health financing, procurement, human resource development and quality of care. Case studies make use of ethnographies, epidemiologic studies, program reports, and policy papers.

GH671 Disease, Conditions and Programs: A Global Perspective                2 (2-0-6)
The course introduces global trends of priority health problems such as: CD (Malaria/HIV-AIDS/TB/Avian Flu), NCD (Cardio-vascular, diabetes, cancer), mental health, injuries (vehicular, violence-suicide), tobacco and alcohol. Further, the course applies a critical appraisal; with a focus on interrelationships of economic conditions, partnerships, funding and the politics; of issues such as: EPI, PHC, ARI, Malaria-HIV-AIDS-TB control, MCH, Reproductive Health. Case studies make use of ethnographies, epidemiologic studies, program reports, and policy papers.

GH672 Security and Public Health                                                                2 (2-0-6)
This course applies a critical appraisal; with a focus on interrelationships of economic conditions, partnerships, funding and the politics; of issues such as: humanitarian assistance: public health emergencies (natural disasters, industrial accidents, terrorism, and complex emergencies); exploding cities of the developing world: housing & mega-cities, violence & mega-cities, food safety & mega-cities, pollution & mega-cities, disease & health care access & mega-cities, and transport barriers & mega-cities. Case studies make use of ethnographies, epidemiologic studies, program reports, and policy papers.

GH673 Violence and Injury Prevention                                                        3 (3-0-9)Injuries from multiple etiology (i.e. road traffic injuries, falls and burns, drowning, poisoning and animal related injuries, child abuse and neglect, elderly abuse and neglect, youth violence, gender-based violence, or suicide) became a pressing public health issue. This course offers students the application of key injury prevention and control principles; the design of effective surveillance systems; collection and assessment of injuries data, the development of preventive programs and policies; and the evaluation of both policies and intervention programs.

GH674 Public Health Emergency Management                                            3 (3-0-9)
This course applies the concept of “comprehensive emergency management” for handling all types of disasters and their consequences; moving from preparedness for single hazards or narrowly defined categories of hazards towards an all-hazards approach (natural and man-made) to potential threats to life and property. This change in approach reflects not a reduction in security, but an increased emphasis on making emergency management capability responsive to any and all major emergencies, advocating the importance of partnerships in emergency management, and recognizing the lifecycle of emergencies. Besides concepts and principles, the course provides hands-on learning experiences for students to develop and practice skills related to assessment, planning and management of emergency preparedness, response and recovery phases.

GH675 Global Health Promotion                                                                   3 (3-0-9)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of prevalent health problems and issues that affect human kind throughout the world. Emphasizing a health promotion framework for addressing global health and wellness, this course will take an interdisciplinary approach including medical, epidemiological, political, economical and social perspectives on cross-border health issues; and examines opportunities for building collaborations and participatory approaches; by using case studies in addressing change at the individual, organizational, community, population and global level.

GH681 Transfer of Public Health Knowledge and Technology                     2 (2-0-6)
This course applies a critical appraisal; with a focus on interrelationships of economic conditions, partnerships, funding and the politics; of issues such as: transfer of health knowledge & technologies between developed and developing countries; intellectual property rights; global goods & health (surveillance knowledge); equity global health knowledge (10/90 imbalance in health research); health promotion; vaccines & drugs; and capacity building. Case studies make use of ethnographies, epidemiologic studies, program reports, and policy papers.

GH691 Special Topics in Global Health-1                                                      3 (3-0-9)
This Special Topics in Global Health-1provides the opportunity to pursue a specialized introductory course of study in methodologies applied to a global health area of special interest. A study on Special Topics in Global Health complements rather than replaces or substitutes for core course work.

GH692 Special Topics in Global Health-2                                                      3 (3-0-9)
This Special Topics in Global Health-2 study provides the opportunity to pursue a specialized intermediary course of study in methodologies applied to a global health area of special interest. A study on Special Topics in Global Health complements rather than replaces or substitutes for core course work.

GH693 Special Topics in Global Health-3                                                      3 (3-0-9)
This Special Topics in Global Health-3 provides the opportunity to pursue a specialized advanced course of study in methodologies applied to a global health area of special interest. Special Topics in Global Health complements rather than replaces or substitutes for core course work.

GH700 Independent study-1                                                                       3 credits
The independent study-1 is a capstone experience for students in Plan-B of the program, which uses the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of study leading to the Master's degree. This study is designed to introduce students to the process of designing, developing, executing, and reporting on their independent projects and practical activities. Students will formulate and conduct an appropriate independent study project and practical activity aligned with their personal and professional goals. Workshops will afford students the opportunity for peer review and instructors’ feedback. Conducting a practicum is an integral part for of students’ independent study work. This can be community-based, or organization-based, whether in Thailand or abroad, however it should be relevant to global health.

GH701 Independent study-2                                                                        3 credits
The independent study-2 is a continuation of the capstone experience for students in Plan-B of the program, which uses the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of study leading to the Master's degree. This study is designed to introduce students to the process of reporting on their independent study projects and practical activities. Students will formulate an appropriate report on their independent study project. Seminars will afford students the opportunity for peer review and instructors’ feedback.

GH800 Thesis                                                                                                12 credits
The thesis is an individual student project to demonstrate his/her ability to formulate, investigate, and analyze a problem in a practice setting. Students choose a topic, relevant to public health as well as their specific study focus, with the advice and approval of advisors who agree to supervise and evaluate the students' work. Conducting a practicum is an integral part of students’ thesis work. This can be community-based, organization-based, or research setting-based, whether in Thailand or abroad; however it should be relevant to global health.

q       Academic resources

In addition of regular our faculty members, the MPH (Global Health) Program benefits from a variety of academic and professional expert advisors and affiliate professors. To view the list of program advisors, faculty and affiliates click the link below.

Further this section provides you with a compendium of information about Thammasat University and Faculty of Public Health policies, requirements, and guidelines relevant to all our graduate students such as: the Graduate Student Handbook, Thesis Guidelines, and Independent Study Guidelines. To open these documents click the related links below.

(1) Academic resources<<

(2) The MPH handbook<<

(3) Thesis Guidelines<<

(4) Independent Study Guidelines<<

q       Academic calendar
      Ø        Academic year
      The academic year in Thailand commences in June, consisting of 2 semesters and
      a summer break. However, to accommodate the pre-program workshop, which is an
      essential part of the program, the MPH (Global Health) program commences annually
      the last week of May.
      Ø        Program duration
      Completion of the MPH (Global Health) program will take about 16 months of full-time
      study. Click the link below for the detailed program schedule.

Program schedule<<

B. The Thai MPH Program
The Thai MPH Program offers three concentrations: (1) Public Health Services Management, (2) Environmental, Safety & Health Management and (3) Health Promotion Management. The result is a flexible program design providing three different options for our students. A detailed program description can be found at the Thai version of our website.