The MPH is equivalent to 40 weeks of course work, approximately half of which, or 20 weeks, is done in class, the other half is done in the student's own time. In addition, registrars will attend further course work, depending on their interests, of approximately 4 weeks per year. The total time required for course work during 4 years of registrar training is therefor approximately 32 weeks. Leading up to 2001, the total course work requirement will be somewhat less. The course work requirement is approximate, as the MPH training allows great flexibility in choice of modules.
Some modules have more classroom time than others.
Within reason, the employer must make provision for this. Itis very difficult, if not impossible, for a registrar to understand the entire field ofpublic health if they remain in one position for the entire period. For that reason,we use approximately 6 months to 1 year to provide experiential training in differentlevels of the public health sector, in the private sector, and elsewhere. There is no reason why some of this training cannot be done with thesame employer. For example, a registrar can work both at district level and at HeadOffice in the same province.