It is vital for global health efforts in sexual and reproductive health and rights to be expanded. This includes building more capacity in this field. From contraception to gender rights, and many other related topics, join us to learn more about the emerging and neglected issues across the area of sexual and reproductive health policy and programming.

Developed and delivered by LSHTM and the University of Ghana School of Public Health (UGSPH), this is an intensive online programme that can be taken either full time (one year) or built to work alongside your employment part-time over two years. You will be taught by a team of academic staff and experts who have experience in developing policy and contributing to global health programmes. Your focus will be on developing skills to build programmes and influence policies that make a difference to the sexual and reproductive health of populations. Equipped with advanced knowledge of social-political, cultural, legal, and ethical issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health, you’ll finish the course ready to bring change and shape policies and practice.

What you will learn

• Explore policy and health system factors influencing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in low and middle-income settings
• Investigate the influence of socio-political, cultural, legal, and ethical issues surrounding SRHR
• Study up-to-date evidence on effective SRH policies and interventions
• Design and cost SRHR programmes informed by the latest evidence and tailored to the context, including selecting appropriate methods to monitor and evaluate them
• Apply skills in communication with specialist and non-specialist audiences, advocacy, and collaborative working to engage effectively with stakeholders who influence SRH policy and programming

Our online programme is designed to offer flexibility in how and when you study. And while it is an intensive programme, the part-time study option will help you to balance your studies with existing work or personal commitments.

Modules cover topics including menstrual health, STIs and HIV, gender and sexual rights, safe abortion, adolescent SRHR, contraception and health systems. You will also learn skills such as programme monitoring and implementation research, designing and appraising evidence-based policies and programmes, and advocacy approaches for SRHR.

You’ll be taught through a mix of interactive activities such as live online lectures, group discussions and seminars, as well as pre-recorded lectures and independent study activities.

You’ll receive support from your tutor, as well as having the opportunity to join our unique mentorship programme and masterclasses delivered by experts in the field. Our masterclasses cover topics such as advocacy and case building for SRH, and career advancement in SRH. The mentorship programme pairs you with an expert in SRH, matching you based on common interests in the field. Your mentor will guide you in terms of leadership development, skills for success, and much more.

Who is it for?

We’ve designed this course for those interested in learning to design, implement, evaluate, and advocate for evidence-based sexual and reproductive health programmes and policies. Our focus is across low-, and middle- income settings and we also draw from global examples.

Perhaps you’re already working as a midwife, doctor, programme officer, or another role in SRH. You could also be intercalating study during your medical training or have a bachelor's degree in social science. You would have some previous experience in either low- and middle-income countries or in the SRH field.