Master of Public Health (MPH) 

In response to the aspiration of Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) to be a useful instrument for the well-being and prosperity, and considering the significance of the function of Public Health as one of the foundational aspects of sustained development and prosperity of all human societies, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program was launched by BIHE in 2010. The BIHE MPH program has two broad goals:

1. To train individuals to achieve excellence in research and other skills that contribute to the health of their communities through understanding the nature of society and identifying the forces operating within it, translating a vision of progress into projects and distinct, interconnected lines of action, managing financial resources, and interacting with both governmental and non-governmental agencies.

2. To contribute to the institutional capability of BIHE to generate, apply and disseminate knowledge that promotes the health of individuals, families and communities.

The curriculum of the MPH program focuses on three core capabilities:

1. Capability to understand a defined population from a public health perspective

2. Capability to define policies, make plans and administer them in the most efficient and equitable way to address the health priority areas

3. Capability to critically evaluate public health programs

Also, the BIHE MPH program endeavors to promote a new discourse for public health, in which health is defined from the perspective of human nature, which is made of material and spiritual aspects. 

Course Duration and Credits

The curriculum has been organized in such a way that students with a BSc in other disciplines can be admitted to study MPH, provided that they can attend and pass one semester pre-master program. Prominent international professors with different scholarly backgrounds contribute to this program. This academic discipline offers 40 credits within a period of 2.5 years. Students are graduated by presenting a thesis project.

Course Delivery

Students attend blended classes on a weekly basis. They can interact virtually with classmates and instructors in a variety of ways, from discussion forums to live chats and they can share their opinions about courses, activities and projects as well. Meanwhile, some professors may ask students to cooperate in research projects, giving students the significant opportunity to take part in an actual practice. 

Some Teaching and Learning Features

BIHE MPH faculty and students seek to “render service to their homeland” and “to contribute to a renewal of civilization”. They strive to be well acquainted with the highest level of moral and professional values, to be knowledgeable in their fields, and to be grounded in action based on the identification and analysis of public health needs in Iran. To fulfill its goal as a program that dedicates its efforts to the improvement of the health of the population, the BIHE MPH program seeks to promote a process of generation, diffusion, and application of knowledge. In this endeavor, it is aware that the application of knowledge for the purpose of transforming complex social realities requires the generation of new knowledge through dynamic and effective research and the participation of an ever-greater diversity of minds.

The program seeks to meet the latest educational standards of reputable MPH programs around the world and at the same time endeavors to create a new conceptual framework for public health based on both material and spiritual principles. The BIHE MPH collaborators, including faculty, students, communities, among others, collaborate closely as a learning team who support and accompany each other in their efforts.

Service Opportunities

Graduates will become agents of health promotion in their communities, contribute to the social and economic development of Iran and can have the opportunity to work in health-related NGOs, private health research institutes and international organizations.