MASTER OF HEALTH SOCIAL SCIENCE (MHSS)
Program Overview:
The Master of Health Social Science is a 14-month program designed for those with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in the social sciences, natural sciences, or health-related fields who need the theoretical bases of and specialized skills in the social science aspects of research as well as program design, management, and evaluation as applied to community and culture-based health issues.
The program aims to impart to students a holistic understanding of the cultural and social dimensions of health research as well as program design, implementation, and evaluation that will enable them to conceptualize, design, execute and assess relevant health programs. It also seeks to instill in students the sensitivity to gender issues as they develop their understanding of and skills in the foregoing areas.
Program Learning Outcomes (LO):
P01. Explain health using social science perspectives that include epidemiology, health sociology, anthropology, and ecology
P02. Analyze health research findings and interpreting results using relevant research methodologies
P03. Demonstrate skills in using qualitative and quantitative and other community research techniques to specific settings
P04. Assess disease patterns, reproductive and health behavior, and gender issues in health using the comprehensive perspective of the bio-social framework
P05. Design bio-social researches for diagnostic and evaluation of community-based health issues
P06. Develop intervention programs from a culture-based and community perspectives using the appropriate social science perspectives
Admission requirements
To enter the Program, the applicant must (1) have finished a degree in the social sciences, health science; (2) satisfactorily pass the admission test for Graduate School,; (3) have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0/B or its equivalent; (4) satisfactorily pass a panel interview; (5) submit a personal resume and a research plan for a prospective thesis; and, 6) submit requirements of the DLSU Graduate Admissions Office.
Total number of units required: 36 academic units and 6 units thesis.
Duration: 14 months
The student must pass the written comprehensive examinations to be able to proceed to thesis writing.
The student must be able to publish one research article in a non-predatory, peer-reviewed journal during the course of study using DLSU-DSBS as primary affiliation.
Program Checklist/ Flowchart
Core Courses
- ABS541M Health Social Science
- ABS542M Biological and Social Foundations of Health
- ABS550M Population Studies
Major Courses
- ABS500M Health Statistics
- ABS555M Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health
- ABS815M Program Planning Management and Practicum
- ABS525M Health Social Science Research Methods 1
- ABS681M Community Organization and Community Development
- ABS526M Health Social Science Research Methods 2
- ABS585M Ethics, Health Policy and Program Analysis
- ABS532M Health Economics
- ABS820M Directed Readings
Course Description
ABS500M Health Statistics
3 units
The course deals with basic concepts and tools for statistical analysis in health research. It focuses on the descriptive correlational and inferential statistics with specific application to epidemic logical analysis and health research in general.
ABS525M Health Social Science Research Methods 1
3 units
The first of a two-part course, Health Research Methods 1 deals with the basic framework, features, processes and methods of conducting social research in general and health research in particular. It provides students with the fundamental knowledge on the processes, philosophy, principles and rules of the appropriate use of the varying methods, tools and techniques of social science and health research. Furthermore, as efforts will be focused on carrying out research related to health, it will introduce and familiarize students to the basic concepts of epidemiology, its uses and tools. At the end of the course, students are expected to distinguish different approaches and types of research and characterize what constitutes health social science research (HSS). The course also aims for students to understand and assess the methodological variations in HSS research and identify and consider the ethical issues and concerns in the practice of social science research, specifically in the area of health. At the end of the course, students are also required to formulate a research problem, review related literature and draw up a conceptual framework and apply the basic skills and techniques in conceptualizing and developing a sound and viable health social science research proposal.
ABS526M Health Social Science Research Methods 2
3 units
This is the second part of the two-day course on health social science research methods. It focuses on the specific approaches and techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, in the collection, measurement, and analysis of empirical data conducted in social science research in general and health social science in particular. It will highlight the principles, issues and procedures in doing social research on current health/health-related concerns within the scientific enterprise. As a continuation of Research Methods 1, the course furthers the students’ knowledge on the practice of social research, with emphasis on social research methodologies specific tot he study of health social problems or issues in the Philippines.
ABS532M Health Economics
3 units
This course is an introduction to the economics of health and health care. It starts with a basic overview of the macroeconomic issues facing the health and proceeds to introduce basic theories, concepts and techniques used in economics as applied to the health care. The course focuses on the microeconomic functions of different health care markets. It will also cover important health policy issues related to economic evaluation, health finance, health service provision, distribution and consumption. One of its aims is for students to gain appreciation of the usefulness of economic concepts and tools in understanding health sector-related problems. The course also aims to enrich the perspective in designing and evaluating health programs.
ABS541M Health Social Science
3 units
The course introduces the student to the major perspectives, frameworks, and concepts in the social sciences, especially as these are applied to the study of health and illness. At the end of the course, the student is expected to describe, explain and critique major frameworks or perspectives in the social sciences for understanding health and illness behavior, as well as summarize and discuss major empirical findings on the sociocultural dimensions of health care in the Philippines. Furthermore, students will prepare and present a research proposal that examines the sociocultural determinants and consequences of a particular health care issue in the Philippines.
ABS542M BIOSOF/Biological and Social Foundation of Health
3 units
The course provides an overview of the structural and functional basis of health and illness, disease conditions with higher prevalence and where the socio-behavioral components are critical for control or management will be selected for illustration. Wherever possible, a gender perspective will be incorporated in the approach to the subject. The lifecycle approach is used in discussing the developmental changes, leading causes of morbidity and mortality and other important health issues in the intra-uterine, infancy, childhood, adolescent, adult and senescent phase in life. The biological foundations and the socio-behavioral aspects of health promotion and disease causation are described in the different stages across the life span.
ABS550M Population Studies
3 units
The course introduces the students to the social and cultural base of human fertility and mortality. Specifically, the students will be provided with an understanding and appreciation of basic fertility and mortality techniques, methods, and perspectives used in population study (or social demography). Varying fertility and mortality conditions will be linked with some health and health care related issues and concerns. The geographic focus is global, but the Filipino perspective will be given considerable attention in the course.
ABS555M Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health
3 units
Students are introduced to gender issues as well as the psychosocial, cultural, political and economic aspects of gender, sexuality and reproductive health (GSRH). Particular attention will also be given to the interrelationship between gender and health. The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the Program of Action of the UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD in Cairo 1994), and the ICPD+5 as the framework for reproductive health (RH). Gender and sexuality issues are discussed in relation to reproductive health, particularly in the Philippine setting. The various components and determinants of RH are discussed, including its operationalization in the country as well as its policy and programmatic implications. Students are also familiarized with gender analysis, planning and its mainstreaming in all sectors. The course will adopt a comprehensive life-cycle approach to reproductive health. Special areas of focus will be prenatal and postnatal care, unwanted pregnancy, adolescent development, fertility and sexuality, reproductive tract infections including HIV/AIDS, family planning, menopause, gender violence, ethics and reproductive rights
ABS585M Ethics, Health Policy and Program Analysis
3 units
This modular course introduces students to the concepts and issues of bioethics and social (particularly health) policy. It also attempts to describe the process of health policy and program formulation. At the end of this course, the students are expected to: (1) define and describe bioethics including its brief history and guiding principles; (2) understand current issues in bioethics including some aspects of feminist bioethics; and (3) understand basic concepts and issues of social policy and the process of health policy and program formulation.
ABS681M Community Organization and Community Development
3 units
This course deals with two current modes of realizing planned social change – community organization and community development. It focuses on the historical development, philosophy, concepts, principles, strategies, development and practice of community organization and community development in health in the Philippine setting and other Third World Societies. It is designed to enable students to view community organization and community development within a theoretical framework and to understand how these actually work in practice.
ABS815M Program Planning, Management and Practicum
3 units
The course deals with the concepts, theories including frameworks, principles and tools used in planning and managing programs. It also discusses the various issues involved in programming management including management of change within the program, quality assurance initiatives in health care and monitoring as well as evaluation of program outputs and outcomes.
ABS820M Directed Readings
3 units
A course designed as independent research subject to complement thesis writing. Students are expected to write a thorough literature review, consult with their mentors and the professor of this course. They are also expected to present their literature review and comprehensive bibliography as well as the draft of their research design and research instruments orally and in written form.
ABS851M (Thesis Writing 1)
ABS852M (Thesis Writing 2)
6 units
The student enrolled in Thesis Writing must conduct an independent research under the supervision of a thesis mentor. Thesis writing has two phases. Phase 1 involves the preparation of the thesis proposal, which includes the identification of the research problem, objectives of the research, rationale and research framework, research design, and review of literature. The student must successfully defend the thesis proposal, with the support of the thesis mentor, before a thesis panel. After passing the thesis proposal defense, the student proceeds to the collection of data prior to Phase 2. During Phase 2, the student does data consolidation, analysis and interpretation of data, as well as thesis writing, again under the supervision of the thesis mentor. The student must present and do an oral defense of the thesis before the same thesis panel, after which a final thesis is submitted in the format required by the university.
For MaHeSoS students, proposal defense is held during the first week of the Summer Term; final thesis defense is held during the first term of the SY immediately following the Summer Term.