Needs for Future Students in a Potential Master of Public Health Program at Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Trang

Abstract

  The cross-sectional survey research study investigated the needs for future students in a potential Master of Public Health program at the Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Trang. The participants of this study were 283 alumni of Sirindhorn College of Public Health, public health professionals, and other interested persons. We administered an online questionnaire during October- December 2020. We analysed quantitative data using descriptive statistics. We utilized content analysis to analyse qualitative data.           

  The research results revealed that 283 participants completed the online questionnaire. Most participants wanted to pursue a master’s degree (88.70%).  81.30% of participants wanted to attend a potential Master of Public Health Program at Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Trang. The largest percentage of participants were interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health (36.09 %), followed by a master’s degree in Public Health Administration (33.04%). Most respondents (91.74%) needed to study outside of regular office hours (Saturday-Sunday). Similar proportions of participants were interested in studying online (35.22%), at in-person classes (33.04%), and banking class credit for future study (31.74%). 91.30% of participants planned to self-fund their tuition. The top reasons that participants provided for pursuing a master’s level degree included to make progress in their career, to gain more knowledge, to increase educational qualifications, to gain more social acceptance/reputation, and for better job security. Thus, Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Trang, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute should accelerate development of curriculum for a Master of Public Health program to meet the needs of public health personnel to develop their competency at the graduate level.