Application deadline: 30 June 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
MPH-CH 2025-26
- Why is SOCHARA offering an MPH with a specialisation in Community Health?
SOCHARA has always responded to needs in community health and public health. A community health approach is crucial to addressing public health issues. Public health challenges persist despite significant health advancements, and there are emerging challenges. Government policies encourage the creation of a dedicated Public Health Management Cadre through postgraduate level programmes. There is a need for community capacity building, together with a transformation of the public health system. Building on the Community Health Learning Programme (CHLP) which began in 2002-03, SOCHARA responded to recent developments. In May 2022, The SOCHARA – School of Public Health, Equity and Action (SOPHEA) and Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), Shillong entered into a partnership. The 52-week CHLP is accredited as a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD). Additionally, the Master of Public Health degree with specialisation in Community Health (MPH-CH) was introduced with ‘lateral entry’ available for CHLP-PGD. There was an intake of two batches in January and August 2023. The third batch began on 01 August 2024.
Applications are now open for the MPH-CH course for the academic year 2025-2026.
- What is unique about the SOCHARA-MLCU MPH-CH programme?
The MPH-CH builds on the community health approach that SOCHARA and other like-minded organisations have been working on for over four decades. This approach:
- builds on the societal paradigm of health and healthcare.
- explores alternative approaches to health and well-being which is rooted in the community context and dynamics.
- encourages community action on social determinants of health.
- enables communities, practitioners and researchers to find sustainable solutions to public health issues.
- What are the number of credits in the course?
The MPH-CH degree is awarded based on earning a total of 80 credits at the end of the MPH-CH. This includes a combination of 40 credits from the CHLP PGD (or other eligible postgraduate qualification) which is conducted over semester 1 and 2 (Year 1). Subsequently, 40 credits are earned in semester 3 and 4, over 12 months in Year 2 of the MPH-CH.
- Is Martin Luther Christian University recognised by the UGC?
Yes, the creation of the University in 2005, is in accordance with the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 under Section 2(f) and the University is empowered to grant degrees under Section 22 of the UGC Act.
- Why is the MPH offered with a specialisation in Community Health?
An evidence-based (broad population-level) interventionist approach alone in Public Health is limited in addressing and reducing social inequities that impact and determine health and well-being.
A community health approach builds on local capabilities, rational, safe and effective health traditions, culture and context in a responsive, affirmative as well as challenging manner.
- What are the learning outcomes of the MPH-CH?
The learning outcomes of the MPH-CH are to enable you:
- To be practitioners rooted in values of equity, rights, gender equality, ethics, integrity, quality, accountability and responsibility at all levels in community health and public health.
- To develop systems thinking, leadership, mentorship, ethical reasoning, problem-solving and implementation skills.
- To develop skills in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research including epidemiology and biostatistics.
- To strengthen interpersonal and rapport building skills for engagement and partnership with communities, society and the state; across multiple sectors with a special focus on the public health system.
- To develop skills for engaging with and strengthening an evidence-based Indian public health system, plural healthcare (AYUSSH and others), health policy processes, and for building community capacity, monitoring, evaluation and health surveillance.
- To develop an understanding of public health priorities such as MCH, gender, disability, communicable and non-communicable diseases, epidemics and pandemics, climate change, disaster response, urban, rural and tribal health issues, emerging concepts such as one health and planetary health.
- To develop the ability and skills to understand the micro and macro social determinants of health, community contexts and develop community-based action plans to address identified public health issues.
- To inculcate an understanding of determinants of health, together with approaches and methodologies for health promotion (including prevention and protection) using a community health approach.
- To develop capacities to initiate/strengthen community health action, research, educational strategies, policy, dialogue and action.
- To develop an ability for life-long learning.
- What is the mode of facilitation and conduct of the programme?
The MPH-CH is conducted in a hybrid part-time mode for working professionals. This includes a total of 11 modules in Semester 3, among which 9 modules are run by SOCHARA-SOPHEA. During the programme, the mandatory offline sessions include 3 weeks in Shillong and 2 weeks in-person sessions in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The dates for these sessions will be informed in advance. In Semester 4, participants are required to take up a six-month community-based health research project, usually carried out in their respective work locations. Programme learning includes 60% experiential learning and 40% classroom-based learning.
The teaching-learning modules covered are:
Module 1 – Community Health Approaches to Public Health Issues
Module 2 – Integrated Cultural Approaches to Psychology
Module 3 – Health Research
Module 4 – Health Promotion for Wellbeing, Equity and Sustainable Development
Module 5 – Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Module 6 – Community Health Changemakers’ Confluence I – Development of a Community-based Project
Module 7 – Integrated Healthcare in Health
Module 8 – Research project
Module 9 – Disability and Community Health
Module 10- Appropriate Technology and Health
Module 11 – Community Health Ethics: From local and global perspectives
Module 12 – Community Health Changemakers’ Confluence II
The order of the modules may change.
- I am a CHLP alumnus. What are the eligibility criteria for me to join the MPH-CH degree programme?
The eligibility criteria for the MPH-CH (Year 2) are as follows:
Qualifications and Experience:
- Alumni from the CHLP and the Madhya Pradesh Community Health Fellowship Programme (MPCHFP) who meet credit requirements (40 credits) with a minimum of 1200 hours of learning and have been awarded the Community Health Learning Programme Post Graduate Diploma (CHLP-PGD), facilitated by SOCHARA-SOPHEA and accredited by MLCU.
- This CHLP PGD provides eligibility through lateral entry into year 2 of the MPH-CH programme.
- Postgraduates of Medical and Health Sciences, and other disciplines including Community Development and relevant Social Sciences (with a minimum of 2 years demonstrated work experience) and a long term interest in Community Health; and who wish to seek admission to MPH-CH (Year 2). (Such students’ past PG course transcripts must meet the required minimum 40 credits and 1200 learning hours for eligibility to enter Year 2 of the MPH-CH).
- How do I apply for the lateral entry MPH-CH (Year 2)?
Write to us at sopheamph@sochara.org expressing your interest to apply for the MPH-CH with:
- Your updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A 500-word essay on a public health issue of relevance to India
- A 300-word personal statement on ‘Why I wish to do an MPH-CH’.
- A copy of your CHLP-PGD or other related postgraduate degree certificate and transcript.
- The names of two referees with contact details (email and mobile number).
Then, to apply, fill-in the Google application form which will be shortly uploaded on the SOCHARA website (https://www.sochara.org/sophea/).
- What does one gain from the MPH-CH?
Through the MPH-CH, you will develop values, attitudes, skills, knowledge and competencies to use a community health approach to public health issues and to strengthen the public health system. The modules and research project will strengthen one’s analytical ability through the curriculum mentioned below. You will get an experiential learning opportunity to take up a community-based health project with any health development organisation including your current organisation, supported by a mentor and the team.
The group process provides a space to discuss, reflect, share experiences and learn from each other. The personal mentoring process during the programme ensures that you begin to internalise the community health approach along with getting guidance for planning your future course of action.
You get to interact with experienced practitioners of community health, public health and health policy in the country. You will also have access to extensive resource materials on community health and development available on our digital platform and in our Community Health Library and Information Centre (CLIC).
- What am I expected to do during the MPH-CH programme?
As an MPH-CH participant you are also required to actively engage with the learning materials shared via the learning management system (LMS). Sessions will be scheduled from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m (with a flexibility to extend by 30 minutes if required), three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
You will be required to take up a six-month community-based health project (research, health education, teaching, social entrepreneurship). A research project will require you to prepare an idea draft and research proposal for the same, seek scientific and ethical approval and implement your project in a planned, rigorous and responsible manner. You will be supported and guided for the same by your assigned tutor-mentor. The project can be undertaken in the geographic area where you are based and in the current organisation you are working with. SOCHARA will support linking you to an organisation through our partner network if required.
- What is the teaching methodology used in the MPH-CH?
Participants are encouraged and expected to take ownership of their learning and progress through the course of the programme through actively engaging with the many opportunities and platforms made available in the MPH-CH. Such opportunities include active engagement with the LMS, additional learning materials, learning facilitators and cross-learning through tutor-mentorship, journal clubs, participant-led sharing and debrief sessions, publications and write-ups.
Learning facilitation is conducted by both MLCU faculty and SOCHARA-SOPHEA faculty, as well as guest facilitators/adjunct faculty. Learning facilitation includes a variety of interactive methods like presentations, discussions, debates, small group work, reflective writing, role plays and simulations, experiential visits, webinars, meetings and conferences, activity planning and implementation, etc.
- How will my learning be assessed during the MPH-CH?
You will be required to submit written and evidence-based module learning reflections on your conceptual understanding of topics covered after every module. Assignments will be given for each module with a timeframe for response. Assessments will be made based on criteria which will include your regular and active participation, attendance, and response to assignments.There will be a final evaluation interview with internal and external examiners to assess your final project report.
- What is the duration of the programme?
The duration of the programme is 12 months, inclusive of holidays.
- Is it a full-time or part-time programme?
It is a part-time hybrid programme, allowing you to continue with your current work.
- How many hours per week should I devote to the programme?
Participants need to dedicate a minimum of 12 hours/week to the programme.
- What are the programme fees?
Please refer to the postgraduate fees structure document under MPH academic year 2025-26 (for one Year) on the MLCU website.
- Important dates to remember.
- There will be a pre-launch session online with the SOPHEA team on Monday, 28 July 2025.
- The programme begins online on Friday, 01 August 2025.
- The in-person sessions at MLCU in Shillong, Meghalaya are from 18 August to 05 September 2025. The participants bear travel, food and accommodation costs of the same.
- The 1st Community Health Changemakers Confluence (CHCC) at SOCHARA, Bengaluru will be from 03 to 08 November 2025.
- The dates for the second CHCC will be in April/May 2026.
- The registration and travel costs for CHCC will be borne by participants and the accommodation and food will be partially borne by SOCHARA.
- What is the selection process?
- Your application documents will be reviewed
- Your referees will be contacted
- You will be invited for an online interview with a selection panel for 30 to 45 minutes
- You will be informed of the outcome, after which you need to complete your enrollment with the University.
Please refer to the University guidelines on the MLCU website – https://www.mlcuniv.in/admissions-apply/
- Whom do I contact for more information?
Please write to sopheamph@sochara.org
You can contact Mr. V Nagaraja Rao at +91 9845581133.
Please call us between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, between Monday to Friday.
Thank you for your interest in MPH-CH!