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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Public Health - Prevention & Mental Health under the number 11119. Who is the Master’s degree in Public Health: Prevention & Mental Health suitable for?
The degree programme is aimed at professionals working in health promotion, prevention or the management of psychosocial services, or those aspiring to such a role. In particular, it is aimed at you if you have a strong interest in mental health and wish to take on leadership or conceptual tasks in public health, health insurance companies, businesses (e.g. occupational health management), research institutions or social organisations in the future. Physicians can also earn CME credits through the programme and acquire the competency acquisition for provider qualification at the Central Prevention Testing Office.
Which degree do you need for admission?
To be admitted to the Master’s degree in Public Health – Prevention & Mental Health, you need a first university degree (Bachelor, B.A. or B.Sc.) with a content-related focus on healthcare, psychology or a comparable field. The following access routes are available:
- Direct admission: You have a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology, Prevention and Health Management or Public Health from APOLLON University or a content-wise comparable degree programme at another university (e.g. Public Health, Health Sciences, Health Psychology). Equivalence is assessed individually.
- Admission via propaedeutic course: If you have completed another health or social sciences Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Health Economics, Nursing, Therapy Sciences, Social Work, Psychology or Medicine), you can acquire the necessary prior knowledge through a preceding propaedeutic course (29 ECTS). This enables access to the Master’s programme.
There is no Numerus Clausus (NC) and enrolment is possible at any time. Basic statistical knowledge is recommended.
Personal prerequisites that are particularly important for successful study:
- Independent, structured working method – a high degree of self-organisation is required for distance learning, especially with a workload of about 35 hours per week.
- Analytical skills – for evaluating and developing evidence-based interventions in the field of mental health.
- Interest in interdisciplinary work – you should be open to collaborating with various professional fields in healthcare.
- Communication skills and ability to work in a team – important for later leading or coordinating projects in the health sector.
- Basic skills in statistics and academic work – this knowledge is expected or deepened at the start of the programme.
- Practical professional experience in healthcare is advantageous but not mandatory.
What content and skills does the distance learning course Public Health – Prevention & Mental Health impart?
In the Master's programme Public Health – Prevention & Mental Health, you develop a comprehensive understanding of the connections between health conditions and mental health across all life stages. You acquire interdisciplinary expertise in prevention, health promotion and mental health, embedded in national and international health policy contexts. The curriculum covers key topics such as:
- Health Psychology: (Neuro-)scientific aspects of health behaviour and their significance for prevention work
- Prevention of mental illnesses: Special approaches for children, adolescents, working adults and older people
- Global and national health systems: Structures, control mechanisms, policy and international health aspects
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics: Analysis of health data, evidence base, methodological skills for public health research
- Public Health Ethics: Moral and quality-related aspects of prevention and health promotion
- Care management: Concepts of efficient and needs-based care
- Scientific working methods: Medical and health scientific writing, health economic evaluations, evidence-based medicine
Within the framework of elective modules, you can set your own priorities and focus, among other things, on health-related coaching, prevention for ageing workforces, community health promotion, gender-sensitive prevention or the opportunities of digitalisation for ePublic Health. Project work and a master’s thesis strengthen your ability to develop, implement and evaluate preventive strategies in a practical way.
How is the process and structure of the distance learning course designed?
The Master’s programme is scheduled for 24 months (full-time) or 32 months (part-time) and comprises 120 ECTS points, which corresponds to a total workload of approximately 3,600 hours. You complete 14 compulsory modules and select 2 out of 5 elective modules. The teaching materials are provided to you regularly in digital form (or optionally in print) and are didactically diverse, including study booklets, web-based trainings, interactive quizzes and audio formats. The course is designed to be independent of location and time, enabling you maximum flexibility for work and private life.
- Study materials: Every 3 months (for 24 months) or every 4 months (for 32 months), you receive up-to-date learning materials
- Online learning platform: Access to digital materials, exchange with tutors and other students via the online campus
- Seminars: Introductory seminar as well as specialised seminars can be attended online or in person
- Examinations: Case assignments, written exams, essays, project and group work, completion in the form of a master’s thesis with colloquium
- Start of studies: Flexibly possible at any time, no semester binding
- Individual support: You are accompanied throughout the entire course by the student services, lecturers and a mentoring programme
- Free extension of study period: Up to 50% additional time beyond the standard duration possible (12 or 16 months)
You can test the course free of charge for four weeks and, if needed, already submit creditable prior achievements from completed further training.
What perspectives and career opportunities does the Master’s Public Health – Prevention & Mental Health open up?
With this degree, you qualify for responsible positions throughout the healthcare sector, especially focusing on the development, implementation and evaluation of preventive concepts for mental health. Typical fields of activity include:
- Public and private health institutions: Planning and management of prevention programmes, establishing health-promoting structures
- Health departments, health insurance providers, social security carriers: Development of measures in the area of mental health, evaluation of intervention programmes
- Hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities: Implementation of company health promotion and stress management concepts
- Occupational health management (OHM): Analysis of psychological hazards, advice on burnout prevention, design of health-oriented workplaces
- Research and scientific consulting: Conducting studies, advising politicians and associations, health policy expert reports
- Self-employment: Consulting and coaching in the area of health promotion and prevention for companies or municipalities
Certificates such as Specialist in Occupational Health Management [BBGM] or Occupational Health Manager [BBGM], integrated in the course, provide you with additional qualifications. A later doctoral degree in Public Health or related fields is also possible.
What are the tuition fees and what financing options are available?
The monthly tuition fees start at €311, with total costs amounting to approximately €8,760 (depending on the study model and current discounts). The price includes all study materials, access to the online campus, seminar participation as well as examinations. You can make use of the following financing options:
- Instalment payment: Monthly payments of the tuition fees over the entire duration of study
- Partial crediting of prior achievements: Possible reduction of costs and duration if recognised further training or academic achievements are available
- Funding options: Education vouchers, tax deductibility as work-related expenses, possible support by the employer or scholarship programmes
- BAföG (in individual cases): An individual BAföG entitlement can be examined
- Free extension: The study period can be extended by up to 50% at no extra cost
Before starting the course, you can test the distance learning programme free of charge for four weeks and make use of the cancellation option. For further individual financing solutions, you can consult the student services.
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