Social Marketing and Communication (SMAC)

 Health professionals and administrators struggle daily with the need to persuade a wide number of individuals to adopt concrete behaviours, actions or decisions in support of their health initiatives. The mere dissemination of information is often insufficient to convince people to take action. The course will introduce participants to social and behavioural change principles, as well as to social marketing approaches, planning steps and evaluation. Ethical issues, market/audience analysis and contextual considerations, including competition, will be introduced. Some aspects of health and media communications will also be discussed.

This part-time and flexible study programme caters to the needs of working professionals. More than 75% of all learning takes place at a distance, giving students the opportunity to learn and progress at their own pace. All courses adopt a blended learning approach, offering the advantages of both self-directed and face-to-face phases. Participants benefit from a wide range of learning methods designed to achieve the best possible individual learning experience: lectures, seminars, case studies, group work, pre-recorded videos, self-directed learning with feedback from lecturers and/or the course coordinator as well as practical exercises.

During the preparation phase course materials are accessed via our Learning Management Platform at the participants’ own pace with guidance from course coordinators and facilitators.

The preparation phase is followed by a hybrid face-to-face week at the Swiss TPH headquarters. Active participation (online or in person) is expected from 9:00-17:00 CE(S)T. At least one facilitator is always on site and in-person teaching is prioritized whenever possible, although in exceptional circumstances facilitators may join online. Online spaces for participation is limited. These spaces are allocated based on student need (i.e. travel restrictions, etc.).

Learning outcomes are consolidated during the post phase with a final assignment that is introduced during the hybrid face-to-face week. This phase is self directed and guided via our Learning Management Platform. The post phase is finished when the final assignment has been handed in.

At the end of the course, current and future health professionals and administrators will be able to design strategies to persuade various segments of the population, other professionals, as well as key decision- makers to adopt behaviours and policies in support of health and organisational goals.

Participants are assessed during both, the distance-based and on-campus phases of the courses, through individual and team assignments, professional presentations, quizzes or short tests, reflective papers and proposed projects.

Fee for MBA-IHM students*: CHF 2,450
Fee for Short Course students: CHF 2,850

* Same fee applies to tropEd students and students enrolled in a SSPH+ professional postgraduate Master or PhD programme.

Course fees must be paid in advance to gain access to the online learning materials. Tuition fees do not cover insurance, travel expenses or personal living costs incurred during your stay in Basel.