The Philippines is one of the places worth considering for Public Health studies. Many institutions offer undergraduate and graduate public health programs, and students can compare options across public and private universities. Besides these study options, the country is also known for its low cost of living and affordable tuition rates. Finally, the Philippines is popular for its beaches and tourist destinations.
If you are searching for a country that offers public health programs, this article is right for you! We will be discussing schools that offer public health programs in the Philippines.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in the Philippines
1. University of the Philippines, Manila
The University of the Philippines, Manila is a major public institution for health sciences education in the country. The University of the Philippines was established in 1908, while one of UP Manila’s roots, the Philippine Medical School, opened in 1905 and later became the UP College of Medicine. UP Diliman is the main campus of the UP System.
UP Manila offers Public Health programs through the College of Public Health. Current official program listings include the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Public Health, and Doctor of Public Health. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is listed among UP Manila’s undergraduate programs.
The Master of Public Health is designed to equip students with broad skills and knowledge from several disciplines so they can respond to public health issues at local, national, and international levels. The Doctor of Public Health prepares professionals for leadership roles in teaching, research, and health administration, with major areas such as Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Education, Medical Microbiology, Nutrition, and Parasitology. Since UP Manila is a selective public university, applicants should check the latest college and university admissions pages before applying.
2. De La Salle University Medical and Health Sciences Institute
De La Salle University Medical and Health Sciences Institute is another institution in the Philippines that offers a Public Health degree program. Its medical school roots go back to the Emilio Aguinaldo College of Medicine, which was founded in 1977 and opened in 1979. In 1987, De La Salle University took over the school and renamed it De La Salle University College of Medicine.
The School of Advanced Studies offers the Master in Public Health. The program aims to develop advanced professional competencies for careers in public health practice, management, and research. Its current listed core subjects include Foundation of Public Health Practice, Health Systems, Introduction to Social Statistics, Participatory Approaches in Public Health, and Introduction to Social Epidemiology.
Applicants must follow the current online application process, pay the applicable admissions processing fee, submit requirements such as transcripts, a college diploma, a recommendation or study permit when applicable, and a curriculum vitae, and complete an interview schedule. Foreign applicants may need additional documents, and non-native English speakers are asked to submit an English proficiency result or take the institute’s language training option.
3. Silliman University
Silliman University is a private university that was established on August 28, 1901, by American missionaries. It was named after Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, whose donation helped establish the school. From its beginnings as a small boys’ school, Silliman University grew into a university offering programs from undergraduate to graduate levels.
The Master of Public Health is offered under the School of Public Affairs and Governance and is listed as a two-year graduate program. Its curriculum includes core public health subjects and concentrations in Public Health Administration and Management, Public Health Nutrition, Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Education, Environmental Health, and Public Health Microbiology. The curriculum also includes a thesis, applied research, or capstone component.
4. Adventist University of the Philippines
The Adventist University of the Philippines opened on June 12, 1917, as a school with 36 students, and later developed through several name and campus changes. The university is now located in Silang, Cavite, and offers programs through its colleges as well as links to its elementary and academy units.
The College of Health offers the Master in Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health / Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health. The Master in Public Health is currently listed as a 36-unit program with majors in Health Ministry, Health Promotion and Education, Lifestyle Medicine, Microbiology and Parasitology, and Nutrition.
The doctoral public health program is currently listed as a 48-unit Doctor of Public Health / Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health with a major in Preventive Health Care. The Master in Public Health page also lists academic and professional track options, with the professional track requiring a research presentation, comprehensive exam, community project, and research paper instead of a thesis.
FAQs: Public Health Studies in the Philippines
Why Do Foreign Students Choose to Study in the Philippines?
The Philippines is a favorite study destination for many international students because of its study options and comparatively affordable living costs. Students should compare current tuition, housing, food, transportation, and other everyday expenses before applying.
What Are the Career Options for Public Health Graduates?
Public health graduates have several career opportunities in the Philippines. They can work in government health agencies, nonprofits, research institutes, and healthcare facilities.
Graduates with postgraduate degrees may pursue roles such as health education specialist, health policy analyst, community health worker, public health program officer, researcher, or environmental health specialist. Salaries vary widely by role, employer, location, and experience, so students should check current job listings and official government salary-grade information when planning a career.
If you are unsure whether to study in the Philippines or not, the above schools can help you explore your options. Not only can you pursue a public health degree, but you may also be able to manage other expenses more easily thanks to the country’s comparatively affordable living costs. Additionally, international students can explore various scholarships to fund their studies in the Philippines.
We hope this article was helpful. You can get more detailed articles on the Philippines Page and various Available Courses for Interntional Students to explore your study options.