This course aims to provide eye health professionals with the public health knowledge and skills required to reduce blindness and visual disability in their population. The training will enable them to develop a public health oriented approach to eye care services and the control of blindness in keeping with the objectives of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight; acquire and apply skills in epidemiological and operational research, critical analysis of strategies for the control of major blinding eye diseases, in programme planning, management and evaluation; facilitate a personal development, so enabling individuals to contribute more fully to their countries’ and societies’ eye health; engage with local, national and international networks of health professionals and systems, for the prevention of blindness worldwide.
(formerly known as MSc Community Eye Health)
Graduates from this course are expected to and encouraged to enter into careers with ministries of health, universities and NGOs involved in developing health services to prevent blindness and improve vision.
For further information on the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), go to our website at www.lshtm.ac.uk/cru or www.iceh.org.uk.
Course Duration
Full-time for one year or split study over two years. Students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of the course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May, by prior arrangement with the Course Director. Paper 1 may be taken at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2. Paper 2 must be taken at the end of Year 2. Interested applicants should indicate their choice on the application form.
" The learning experience has given me the confidence to be involved on diverse projects and to pursue my career path in Public Health for Eye Care more methodically. Priya Morjaria from Tanzania/UK studied the MSc in Public Health for Eye Care - Full profile
Objectives
At the end of this course students should be able to:
- describe the basic epidemiology of the major blinding eye diseases;
- design and interpret studies to assess public health eye care needs using appropriate methods;
- critically appraise and select appropriate public health intervention for the major blinding eye diseases;
- design a comprehensive eye care programme for appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures for a community;
- develop the skills necessary for resource mobilisation, management and evaluation of local comprehensive eye care programmes and integration in health systems.
Programme specification - showing which of the various elements of the course support and achieve each of these specific objectives.
Term 1
After orientation students will take six compulsory modules which will introduce them to:
- Epidemiology of Blinding Eye Diseases
- Skills for Field Projects in Eye Care
- Eye Care Programmes
- Basic Epidemiology
- Basic Statistics for Public Health and Policy
- Introduction to Health Economics
Recommended optional modules can be taken after consultation with Course Director.
Term 2
All students will take four compulsory modules:
C1: Childhood Eye Disease and Ocular Infections
C2: Non-communicable Eye Disease
D1: How to Plan and Implement a Vision 2020 Project
D2: Skills, Resources and Technology for Vision 2020
Term 3
All students take ONE optional module:
The choice will depend on the student’s interests in public health and health systems and should be discussed with their supervisor and the Course Director. The module can be selected from a range of options e.g. Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries; Proposal Development; Analysing Survey & Population Data; Health Systems; Sociological Approaches to Health.
Project Report
Students will complete a research project on an appropriate topic. Students undertaking projects overseas will require additional funding of about £1,500 to cover costs involved.
Entrance Requirements
- Applicants must normally satisfy LSHTM’s general entrance requirements and additional programme-specific entrance requirements to be considered for admission. Applications must be submitted in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the web-based or printed prospectus. The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration is at least a second-class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a registerable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies appropriate to the programme.
- Applications with an appropriate technical qualification, or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas, are also welcomed.
- Additional preferred requirements for the MSc Public Health for Eye Care are that students are expected to be health care professionals involved in eye care, or to have an appropriate technical qualification and work experience.
- Any prospective student who does not meet the above minimum entry requirement, but who has relevant professional experience, may still be eligible for admission. The Registry can advise on eligibility to apply in such cases.
Application for London-based Study
Application for Masters degrees in London must be made using the School's MSc Application Forms.
Application for Research degrees (MPhil/PhD or DrPH) and for occasional research study in London must be made using the School's Research Application Forms.
Instructions on how to complete these forms and an outline of the application process are available with the relevant Application Forms.
The MSc and Research Application Packs are also available from: The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7299 4646 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7299 4656 E-mail: registry@lshtm.ac.uk).
Masters Courses
Applicants wishing to be considered for School scholarships are advised to apply by 1 March 2012. Please note that this is not a closing date. Although we accept applications all year round, other applicants are also advised to apply before this date as courses can become full rapidly. While early application is encouraged, late applications are always considered until all places on the course have been filled. All applicants should be able to start the course on the first day of the academic year, 24 September 2012.
All Masters courses are offered on a part-time basis over two years. Students interested in part-time study should contact the appropriate Course Organiser, via the Registry, to discuss course requirements and likely timetables, and should read the Masters degree information.
There are two ways of undertaking part-time study:
1) attending part-time throughout the two years: Students need to be available for up to four or five half days every week for 27 weeks per year. Evidence may be required to prove that applicants are able to commit this minimum period of time to their study
2) attending full-time for modules in the first two terms in Year 1 (September-March), and undertaking third term modules, exams and project in Year 2 (April - September). Such an option may be attractive to applicants who are unable to be released from employment for a continuous twelve-month period. This option is called split study.
All courses commence on 24 September 2012 and last one year for full-time study or two years for part-time study.
