Public Health and Health Policy (Master’s Program)

ILIA STATE UNIVERSITY

The program aims to equip sector professionals with in-depth and systematic knowledge and skills in contemporary standards necessary for the public health and policy field. This education focuses on improving the health of individuals, groups, and populations while preparing graduates for leading positions in local and international public and private organizations. The educational program is based on contemporary and growing knowledge in public health areas, including epidemiology and population health, environmental health, socio-economic determinants of health, health economics and policy, and global health issues that affect our planet, countries, and populations.

Degree awarded: Master of Public Health (MPH)

Language of instruction: English

Program duration: 120 ECTS credits, 4 semesters

Why Should You Choose the Master's Program in Public Health and Health Policy at Ilia State University?

Compliance with International Standards

The program has been developed to meet the requirements and standards recognized by the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), as well as those of international counterparts.

Comprehensive Curriculum

The program curriculum encompasses current knowledge in epidemiology and population health protection, environmental health, socio-economic determinants of health, health economics and policy, and global health issues that affect our planet, countries, and communities.

Research Opportunities

Program students have the opportunity to utilize the resources of Ilia State University's Institute of Medicine and Public Health Research.

Practical Experience

Collaboration with an extensive network of partner organizations enables students to gain practical experience in leading organizations in the field.

Program Directors

Associate Professor Giorgi Gotsadze

Associate Professor Nino Mirzikashvili

Employment Opportunities

Graduates can be employed in:

Government organizations working on public health and health policy issues
Non-governmental organizations
International organizations
Academic and research positions in higher education and research institutions, both in Georgia and abroad

Graduates can continue their studies at the doctoral level.

Admission to the master’s program is based on general master’s examinations and internal university examinations.

Applicants for master’s studies must hold a bachelor’s degree/equivalent academic degree or an appropriate qualification in:

Public health field
Occupational health and consulting field
Pharmacy or nursing field
Natural sciences, social sciences, or management fields
Medical doctor or dentist qualification

All applicants are equally required to:

Present a valid certificate demonstrating completion of TOEFL (minimum score 75) or IELTS (minimum score 6) examination, or a diploma confirming completion of previous level education in English. If an applicant does not have such a certificate, they must take an English language examination administered by Ilia State University.
Present a valid certificate demonstrating completion of GMAT (minimum score 550) or GRE (minimum score 260+3) examination. If an applicant does not have such a certificate, they must take an examination in quantitative and symbolic reasoning administered by Ilia State University. The quantitative and symbolic reasoning examination assesses the applicant’s mathematical abilities, including the ability to read, comprehend, understand, and interpret information presented in tables, diagrams, or formulas (such as situational problems and cases).
Submit a motivational statement completed in English
Submit a professional CV indicating, among other information, GPA or average rating score received at the previous educational level
Pass an internal university oral examination

To obtain a qualification in the Master’s Program in Public Health and Health Policy, students must accumulate a total of 120 credits/ECTS.

Mandatory courses — 78 ECTS
Work practice — 6 ECTS
Master’s thesis — 24 ECTS
Elective courses — 12 ECTS

Curriculum

Research Institutes/Centers:

Ilia State University Institute of Medicine and Public Health Research
Computational Center

Partner Organizations:

LTD International Foundation “Curatio”
LEPL “L. Sakvarelidze National Center for Disease Control and Public Health”
Foundation Global Initiative on Psychiatry – Tbilisi
LLC “Pineo Medical Ecosystem”
Health Care and Human Rights Research Center
NNLE “Center for Intersectoral Partnership and Social Innovation”
Mental Health and Drug Addiction Prevention Center
Addiction Research Center “Alternative Georgia”
JSC Scientific-Practical Center of Infectious Pathology, AIDS and Immunology
LTD Independent Professional Union of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Social Protection Workers of Georgia

Ongoing Projects

Program Academic Staff

Staff involved in the program see the program course catalog, and for their research interests, see