It is vital for global health efforts in sexual and reproductive health and rights to be expanded. This includes building more capacity in this field. From contraception to gender rights, and many other related topics, join us to learn more about the emerging and neglected issues across the area of sexual and reproductive health policy and programming.

Developed and delivered by LSHTM and the University of Ghana School of Public Health (UGSPH), this is an intensive online programme that can be taken full-time over one year. You will be taught by a team of academic staff and experts who have experience in developing policy and contributing to global health programmes. Your focus will be on developing skills to build programmes and influence policies that make a difference to the sexual and reproductive health of populations. Equipped with advanced knowledge of social-political, cultural, legal, and ethical issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health, you’ll finish the course ready to bring change and shape policies and practice.

What you will learn

• Explore policy and health system factors influencing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in low and middle-income settings
• Investigate the influence of socio-political, cultural, legal, and ethical issues surrounding SRHR
• Study up-to-date evidence on effective SRH policies and interventions
• Design and cost SRHR programmes informed by the latest evidence and tailored to the context, including selecting appropriate methods to monitor and evaluate them
• Apply skills in communication with specialist and non-specialist audiences, advocacy, and collaborative working to engage effectively with stakeholders who influence SRH policy and programming 

Modules cover topics including menstrual health, STIs and HIV, gender and sexual rights, safe abortion, adolescent SRHR, contraception and health systems. You will also learn skills such as programme monitoring and implementation research, designing and appraising evidence-based policies and programmes, and advocacy approaches for SRHR.

You’ll be taught through a mix of interactive activities such as live online lectures, group discussions and seminars, as well as pre-recorded lectures and independent study activities.

You’ll receive support from your tutor, as well as having the opportunity to join our unique mentorship programme and masterclasses delivered by experts in the field. Our masterclasses cover topics such as advocacy and case building for SRH, and career advancement in SRH. The mentorship programme pairs you with an expert in SRH, matching you based on common interests in the field. Your mentor will guide you in terms of leadership development, skills for success, and much more.

Who is it for?

We’ve designed this course for those interested in learning to design, implement, evaluate, and advocate for evidence-based sexual and reproductive health programmes and policies. 

Perhaps you’re already working as a midwife, doctor, programme officer, or another role in SRH. You could also be intercalating study during your medical training or have a bachelor's degree in social science. You would have some previous experience in either low- and middle-income countries or in the SRH field.

Whatever your background, you’ll be the perfect fit for this course if you’re motivated to improve how SRH care is delivered and can demonstrate how studying the course will fit into your career growth path.

Graduates particularly work for NGOs or ministries of health, influencing policy and programmes. 

Mode of delivery

The programme will be delivered wholly online, with no in-person attendance. There will be a mix of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as recorded or self-directed study (asynchronous learning). Examples of synchronous learning are live online lectures, group discussions and seminars. Asynchronous learning includes pre-recorded lectures, independent reading and activities.

Duration

The programme is 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.

Full-time (12 months): Full-time students are expected to study approximately 40 hours per week including about 6-12 hours of synchronous learning per week (2-3 hours each day) during the teaching term. Live synchronous lectures and class sessions usually take place Monday-Friday between 2 pm and 5 pm UTC. Students are also required to attend all live sessions, and group work and undertake self-led study each week.

Part-time (24 months): Students can study part-time by studying for two or three days per week during the teaching term, and spreading all the modules required to complete a master’s programme over two years. There are no evening or weekend classes. Depending on module selection, students may be required to attend for different days in each term. Part-time students are expected to study approximately 20 hours per week including about 3-6 hours of synchronous learning per week (2-3 hours each study day) during the teaching term.

Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma

This programme also offers students the opportunity to register for a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip). Details of what each course entails are summarised in the Structure tab.