Master’s Programme in Global Sexual and Reproductive Health60 Credits

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:

- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students‘ ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students‘ potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

For a Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) degree the student shall have:

Knowledge and Understanding
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and Skills
• Demonstrated ability to integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,
• demonstrated ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames,
• demonstrated ability in speech and writing to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrated skills required for participation in research and development work or employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and Approach
• Demonstrated ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work,
• demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrated ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Upon completion of the programme, the student shall be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of global sexual and reproductive health based on a number of disciplinary perspectives, including a gender-equity perspective, theories and methods,
• demonstrate advanced knowledge of social and cultural aspects in relation to global sexual and reproductive health, and in such a way integrate aspects of global sustainability development and human rights,
• demonstrate an ability to use research and subject knowledge in the design of field work, the purpose of which is to develop and implement evidence-based interventions in different settings and contexts,
• demonstrate an ability to independently search for and critically review scientific publications, and to review information with a critical review of sources,
• demonstrate advanced knowledge both of research methods used to collect evidence-based information and of the knowledge transfer of evidence-based information into health policies and interventions in clinical practice,
• demonstrate awareness of the significance of leadership in the pursuit of improved sexual, reproductive health and rights, and sustainable development that will ensure a sound and healthy environment, economic and social welfare, and justice for present and future generations.

This Master’s programme is designed in such a way that students develop their knowledge and understanding about sexual, reproductive and perinatal health at a global level. The programme requires full-time study and is mostly web-based, with compulsory physical meetings at the place of study.

The courses in the first semester provide an overview of the field of sexual, reproductive health and rights from a global perspective, and involve, in parallel, the furthering of knowledge about pertinent research methodology and strategies for the implementation of evidence-based knowledge.

In the second semester, the focus of courses is on healthcare systems research, leadership and management. Further, the courses provide opportunity for students to commence fieldwork related to their thesis. In the latter part of the second semester, students focus entirely on their thesis. This includes in-depth studies within a chosen field of study; analysis and interpretation; the writing of the thesis; a presentation; and defence of the thesis at a seminar.

Students are assessed using oral examinations in seminars, written assignments, and an individual written examination, as well as the thesis. The forms of assessment are stated in the respective course syllabus. The language of instruction is English.

The programme comprises six courses. All are at the second-cycle level and within the main field of study Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health.

Global Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights 15 credits
Research Methods in Global Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights 7.5 credits
Implementing Strategies for Quality Improvements in Health Care Settings 7.5 credits

Healthcare System Research in Low-, Medium- and High-Income Settings 7.5 credits
Leadership and Management within Healthcare Systems 7.5 credits
Thesis: Global Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights 15 credits

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits. Main field of study: Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health.

Filosofie magisterexamen, Huvudområde: Sexuell, reproduktiv och perinatal hälsa.

If the student fulfils the degree requirements and completes all courses according to the programme syllabus, the title of the programme will, upon request, appear on the degree certificate.