Career trajectories of master of public health graduates from South African universities

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for public health professionals to be embedded in country health systems. The Master of Public Health (MPH), offered widely, is accepted as the entry degree for public health practice in low- and middle-Income countries (LMICs). The aim of the study was to address the knowledge gaps on the career trajectories of MPH graduates from South African universities. METHODS: A research team from the eight South African universities that graduated MPH students between 2012 and 2016 obtained lists of alumni and invited them to participate in an on-line survey. The self-administered questionnaire elicited the demographic characteristics of MPH graduates, their educational and work background, the impact of the MPH on their subsequent work and their perspectives on the roles of MPH graduates. RESULTS: The overall 37% response rate varied by institution. Respondents were mid-career professionals, in their mid-30s with on average, nine years work life. A sizeable proportion came from sub-Saharan Africa and they returned to their home or a neighbouring country to work. Most had been managers or patient-facing health professionals, and the MPH was the route to shift into public health roles. After MPH completion, 91% were employed in government (40%), non-governmental organisations (32%) or academic/research institutions (21%) in technical, managerial or academic roles. The MPH was a stepping stone for career advancement, and 55% of study participants changed their employers post qualification. They envisaged that MPH graduates could assume leadership positions and effectively contribute across both technical and managerial domains, including during public health emergencies. CONCLUSION: The MPH degree was pivotal to graduates taking on public health roles in their home countries. In view of public health workforce shortages, the study findings contribute to planning for a competent cadre to tackle pressing public health problems and their social determinants and support robust health systems development in Africa.