Admissions Open for Master of Public Health, with Specialisation in Community Health (MPH-CH), 2026-27
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SOCHARA offers an MPH with specialisation in Community Health (MPH-CH)
Past decades have seen significant gains in improved population health and access to health care within India and globally. Social disparities remain and grow. Long standing public health challenges continue, and emerging threats overburden communities and health systems. Government ownership towards nurturing population health has increased through policies that encourage development of public health cadres through postgraduate programmes. SOCHARA has for decades promoted and practiced a community health approach to addressing public health issues. We have conducted a community health learning programme (CHLP) since 2002-03.
In May 2022, SOCHARA – School of Public Health, Equity and Action (SOPHEA) and Martin Luther Christian University MLCU, Shillong signed a partnership agreement to run an accredited public health PG programme with specialization in community health (MPH-CH). The MPH-CH was introduced in January 2023. In 2026, Batch 5 begins on Saturday, 01st August 2026 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
The MPH-CH programme is unique because it builds on community health approaches evolved by SOCHARA and like-minded organisations for over four decades. This approach :
- Builds on an inclusive societal paradigm of health and healthcare.
- Explores alternative approaches to health and well-being, rooted in local community context and dynamics, local health traditions and systems .
- Encourages community action on social determinants of health.
- Enables communities, practitioners and researchers to find sustainable solutions to public health issues.
- It is a programme for practitioners of community health & public 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.
FAQs
1. Is this degree accredited by a University recognised by UGC ?
The post-graduate Master’s degree is accredited by Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), Shillong, Meghalaya.
MLCU is recognised 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.
2. What is the mode of facilitation?
The MPH-CH is conducted in a hybrid (online-offline, community project) part-time mode. This includes a total of 12 modules in Year Two, among which 11 modules are facilitated by SOCHARA-SOPHEA, and 1 module is facilitated by MLCU in Shillong, Meghalaya. There will be two contact sessions , one in MLCU in Shillong, Meghalaya for three weeks and the second in Bangalore for two weeks.
Participants take up a six-month Community-based Health Research Project/ Community Health Action Project (CHAP) / Social entrepreneurship/ Community health teaching. This is usually carried out in your respective work locations.
3. What is the overall curriculum content?
MPH – CH is a two year program. 30 modules are covered during Year One which is the CHLP PGD (CHLP PGD).
The teaching-learning modules covered in year 2 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 – A workshop for development of a Research Proposal / plan for a Community-based Health Project
Module 7 – Integrated Healthcare in Health
Module 8 – Research project I
Module 9 – Disability and Community Health
Module 10- Appropriate Technology and Health
Module 11 – Community Health Ethics: From local and global perspectives
Module 12 – Research project II
The order of the modules may change.
4. What are the eligibility criteria to join the MPH-CH degree programme ?
The eligibility criteria for the MPH-CH (Year 2) are as follows :
- Alumni from SOCHARA Community Health Programs including CHLP PGD who meet credit requirements.
- Postgraduates of Medical and Health Sciences, and other related disciplines 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 with 1200 learning hours for eligibility to enter Year 2 of the MPH-CH).
Applicants are given admission through a lateral entry process to Year 2 of the MPH-CH as per MLCU norms.
5. How do I apply for the 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)
- Submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) of minimum 400 & maximum 1000 words (PDF only) .
- A 1500-word essay on a public health issue of relevance to India.
- 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 is uploaded on the SOCHARA website (https://www.sochara.org/sophea/).
6. What do I gain from the MPH-CH?
The MPH-CH develops skills and competencies to apply community health approaches to address public health issues, build community capacity and to strengthen the public health system. The programme focus is around three domains : Professional, Personal and Social. The facilitation and learning process includes group learning, co-creation, tutor-mentorship support, and interaction with experienced community health and public health practitioners, and community based organisations. You will get an experiential learning opportunity to take up a community-based health research or action project with any health development organisation including your current organisation, supported by a mentor and the team. You will have access to extensive resource materials on community health and development available on our digital platform, SUDHA and in our Community Health Library and Information Centre (CLIC).
7. What is the teaching methodology used in the MPH-CH?
MPH-CH participants actively engage with learning materials shared via the learning management system (LMS). Online live sessions are held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (with a flexibility to extend by 30 minutes if required), three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday from August to mid March.
Participants take ownership of their learning and progress of the programme. The uploaded Video Lectures (VL) & Additional Learning Material (ALM) need to be studied as part of self study.
Learning facilitation is conducted by SOCHARA-SOPHEA team members, adjunct faculty, MLCU faculty & guest facilitators. Learning facilitation uses presentations, interactive methods like discussions, debates, journal clubs, small group work, reflective writing, role plays and simulations, experiential visits, webinars, meetings and conferences, activity planning and implementation.
Participants 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 an 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.
8. How will my learning be assessed during the MPH-CH?
- Participants are required to submit written learning reflections on your conceptual understanding of topics covered after every module. Use of creative methods of expression (art, poetry, etc) is encouraged.
- Module assignments include essays, quiz and field visits are assessed.
- Your regular and active participation and mandatory 90% attendance in Live sessions.
- Your six-month community-based health project (research/ health education/ teaching/ social entrepreneurship) will be assessed through an interview with a panel of internal and external experts at the end of fourth semester.
- A final report comprising three parts (described during the course) needs to be submitted.
- Transcripts/ Marksheet are based on a scoring system. Grade point average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) are ascribed.
- Upon successful completion of the MPH-CH, you will be awarded the MPH degree by Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), Shillong.
9. What is the duration of the programme?
It is a 12 month programme from 1st August 2026 to 31st July 2027, inclusive of holidays.
10. Is it a full-time or part-time programme?
It is a part-time hybrid programme, and you can continue with your current work.
11. How many hours per week should I devote to the program?
Participants need to dedicate a minimum of 12 hours/week to the programme.
12. What are the learning outcomes of the MPH-CH?
The learning outcomes of the MPH-CH build value based competencies that include :
- Concrete capacity to work locally for equity, rights, gender equality, ethics, integrity, quality, accountability and responsibility as part of a larger national effort.
- Systems thinking, leadership, problem solving & implementation skills.
- Skills in qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods and participatory action research.
- Intrapersonal, interpersonal and rapport building skills.
- Skills in engagement processes with the public health system.
- Building community capacity through participatory processes.
- Prioritize local public health priorities such as MCH, gender, disability, diseases, epidemics and pandemics, climate change, disaster response.
- Understand and address the social determinants of health through community-based action plans.
- Skills for health promotion.
- Life-long learning abilities.
13. What are the programme fees?
Please refer to the fees structure document under MPH academic year 2026-27 (for one Year) in the Prospectus and Fee Structure – Martin Luther Christian University
14. Do I have to be based in SOCHARA, Bengaluru for the duration of the programme?
This is a hybrid programme with both online and in-person sessions (in Shillong and Bengaluru). The community-based health projects are carried out by participants in your respective geographies. The Programme orientation begins online on 01 August 2026. The in-person sessions at MLCU in Shillong, Meghalaya were from 12 to 30 August 2026 for the last batch (Dates for this batch are yet to be confirmed).
You will be required to be at SOCHARA, Bengaluru for the Community Health Changemakers Confluence (CHCC) from 2nd to 13th November 2026.
15. Can I discontinue the programme at any time?
We encourage you to apply only if you are sure of being a part of this programme for one year. We acknowledge that unanticipated circumstances can occur which may force you to take a break or discontinue. We will provide as much support as possible in that situation to make it possible for you to complete the programme.
You may refer to the university’s policies on Refund-Policy-AY-2026-27.pdf for further information.
16. Important dates to remember.
- There will be a pre-launch session online with the SOPHEA team on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
- The programme begins online on Saturday, 1st August 2026.
- The in-person sessions at MLCU in Shillong, Meghalaya are to be confirmed. The participants bear travel, food and accommodation costs of the same.
- The Community Health Changemakers Confluence (CHCC) at SOCHARA, Bengaluru will be from 02 to 13 November 2026.
- The registration and travel costs for CHCC will be borne by participants and the accommodation and food will be partially borne by SOCHARA.
17. 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 by email, after which you need to complete your enrollment with the University.
- Please refer to the University guidelines on the MLCU website – Admissions-Apply – Martin Luther Christian University
18. Whom do I contact for more information?
Please write to sopheamph@sochara.org
You can call us – Maria +91-8618397451 or Janelle Fernandes +91-8884559387
Please call us between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, between Monday to Friday except holidays.
