Career Opportunities
Graduates will understand the impact of recent developments on the health status and well-being of communities. They can systematically develop prevention strategies, and can evaluate and implement them. Successful graduates are likely to pursue careers in health and social institutions, either for governmental or NGOs, at both national and international level.
Possible roles and functions after graduation would include:
- Manager or project leader of public health prevention projects
- Consultant for projects within social and healthcare organizations
- Manager of multidisciplinary social projects
- Consultant on the implementation of public health or community projects
- Key member of (international) development organizations
- Policy advisor at local, regional, national or international level
- Community advisor in social and health issues
The growing international demand for care...
The demand for care is increasing sharply. Many diseases, especially in the developed world, can now be treated and controlled, creating an ageing population with particular needs. On the other hand, rising numbers are dying from lifestyle diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The growing demand for health care is driving up this sector’s costs and creating more and more vested interests, for example in the pharmaceutical sector. Meantime things are different in the less developed world where treatable conditions such as malaria and cholera kill many thousands each year. Likewise AIDS continues to ravage the poor of entire continents.
A vital concern near the top of political and social agendas is the influence of globalization on the sector. Our travelling habits increase the risk of spreading viruses, such as SARS or swine flu - a trend that fosters a rising fear of global pandemics. There is also the consideration of global warming and how shifting climatic conditions will bring an imbalance to the global distribution of water resources.
…requires competent leaders and decision makers
Dealing with these diverse and demanding issues requires high calibre professionals throughout the sector. Scientific research has been ongoing for some time into the influences on public healthcare, into how the sector operates locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and into how processes can be improved in an ethical and sustainable way. Much of this information is still at the theoretical stage. As a graduate of WHC with a specialization in Public Health you will be exceptionally well equipped to accelerate the translation from theory to practice.
Windesheim Honours College trains professionals to investigate and take account of often conflicting healthcare interests; professionals who know how the systems work and who can anticipate the consequences of certain choices on the sector’s processes.
Year 1: health and social issues, public health
The year 1 programme starts with a first-year seminar consisting of a general introduction to the concept of excellence at WHC and an introduction to all the specializations. Within the introduction to the field of Health and Community Studies, you will be introduced to the broad scope of health and social issues and to the interdisciplinary context of public health. The public health course will include subjects such as human biology and pathology within the context of major diseases. Specific health problems and global health issues also form part of this course. The Social and Behavioural Studies course addresses the basic concepts of applied sociology and psychology in relation to social and health care challenges. Issues such as social change, demographic transition and cultural diversity are also covered in this course.
Year 2: epidemiology, prevention, systems
In the second year you learn about the basic concept of epidemiology. Measuring disease frequencies, studies on determinants and assessment of association will all be discussed in this course. In addition, the role of social issues is extensively discussed within the course on Social Inequalities, Health and Well Being. The role of community participation, social participation and social capacity is also covered in the context of health and well-being at individual and societal level.
The principles of prevention are taught in the course on Prevention and Health Promotion. In this course you will discover the importance of health behaviour with regards to risk and occurrence of diseases. Different strategies in promoting health and well-being are elaborated on, using examples from various regions of the world. In this year, a course on Social and Health Care Systems is offered which focuses on understanding and analysing the different structures of public health and social care systems. A comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of various systems is presented, and you will also learn about the basics of health financing and the unique features of the health and social ‘market’. We always stress the importance of economic evaluation, equity and equality with regard to access and the provision of health, public health and social services delivery.
You will also learn about the formulation of Health and Social Care Policy, as the course combines your knowledge on health and social systems with the policy-making process and the implementation of health and social policy. Group discussions also take place on global and local cooperation in health and social organization.
Year 3: managing complexity, applied research
In the third year the corner stone of the educational programme is introduced: managing complexity. The year starts with an internship in which you will apply your knowledge and skills in a real working environment. You will also be trained in Applied Research Skills and be introduced to the project management cycle. The first part of the Development of Interventions course concentrates on the development of public health and social intervention. The emphasis in the second part is on monitoring and evaluation. Students also attend a course on applied research skills in relation with the intervention they develop.
Year 4: integration and specialization
Year 4 consists of specialization tracks and elective courses. This year’s focus is on ‘seeing the whole’, so every course is focused on developing all the domain competences. The specialization courses place specific emphasis on professional and global competences. You may choose from four specialization courses: Disaster and Public Health; Ageing Community; Addictive Behaviour; and Youth Health Care. The courses offered as electives are: Preparing Grant Proposal; Environmental Health; and Occupational Health and Safety.
