I am in charge of the Sarjana Sains Perubatan (Kesihatan Masyarakat) or SSP program. In the past since 1990s, Graduate Research Officers (GROs) hired under research grants would sign up for SSP so that upon completion of the research project, they would also graduate with a master’s degree in medical science (SSP). Being research driven and with no structured curriculum, the drop out rates were high for SSP. Those who did graduate in SSP, has the option of doing PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Public Health.
So in 1992, Dept of Community Health introduced Sarjana Kesihatan Masyarakat (SKM) for medical doctors, a 3-semester master’s programme with a structured curriculum. Those who graduated from SKM before 1999, has the option of doing PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Public Health.
When the SKM master’s programme evolved into a 4-year master’s programme for doctors in 1999, the original SKM programme was rebranded as Sarjana Sains Kesihatan Masyarakat (SSKM) for non-doctors in year 2000.
About 9 years ago in 2009, the masters programme for doctors evolved into a 1+3 programme, 1 year of Master’s programme known as Sarjana Kesihatan Masyarakat (SKM) followed by a 3-year postdoctoral programme known as Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH).
In 1999, another master’s programme was introduced for social workers, known as Sarjana Kerja Sosial Perubatan (SKSP), which is a 2-year programme.
So these are master’s programmes still available in my department;
- SKM – Sarjana Kesihatan Masyarakat (2-semester)
- SSKM – Sarjana Sains Kesihatan Masyarakat (3-semester)
- SKSP – Sarjana Kerja Sosial Perubatan (4-semester)
- SSP – Sarjana Sains Perubatan (4-semester)
For SKM, the next step for further studies would be the DrPH programme. For the rest, the next step is the PhD programme.
So which master’s programme should you apply for?
Medical Doctors
If you are a medical doctor and interested in receiving the public health specialist allowance, then you should apply for SKM+DRPH or the 1+3 programme. The application must be made through MOH/JPA. There will be a conjoint examination to screen potential candidates. Those who pass the examination will qualify for the conjoint interview session and the placement decided by MOH/JPA. Upon graduation SKM+DRPH, you will undergo gazzetment to be recognised as a public health specialist and therefore qualify for the allowance.
Non-Doctors
You should apply for the SSKM programme.
This official UKM brochure sucks but at least it mentioned the SSKM programme by name and explained how to apply for it. Click HERE to download.
Social Workers
You should apply for the SKSP programme.
Graduate Research Officers (GROs)
If you are already hired as GROs for a research grant in JKM, you should apply for SSP.
This official UKM brochure sucks but at least it mentioned the SSP programme by name and explained how to apply for it. Click HERE to download.
Fee Structure For All The Full Time Postgraduate Programmes In PPUKM
Click HERE to view the full fee structure of all the postgraduate programmes in PPUKM. It is also summarised in the images below;
Doctors & Non-Doctors Who Want To Do Master’s SSKM Part Time
If you want to do master’s SSKM part time, you can sign up for the weekend masters programme by clicking HERE.
Click HERE for the course content of the part time programme.