Students and Graduates’ Viewpoints on the Compulsory Specialized Courses' Syllabus in Reproductive Health PhD Program: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Evaluation is one of the most common ways of improving educational systems. This qualitative study investigated students and graduates’ viewpoints on the compulsory specialized courses syllabus in reproductive health PhD program. Methods: In this qualitative study with conventional content analysis approach, the data were gathered from 7 graduates and 16 PhD candidates of reproductive health through individual semi-structured interviews and evaluation of specialized courses and curriculum content analysis questionnaire in 2013-2014 academic years. Results: Three main categories were extracted from participants’ descriptions of compulsory specialized courses syllabus as well as the content analysis of reproductive health PhD curriculum: the necessity of curriculum conformity to the mission of reproductive health, reinforcement of the society-oriented and clinical nature of specialized courses, and the revision of specialized courses' offering order. Conclusion: Examination of the main categories indicates that it is necessary to revise the curriculum of reproductive health PhD program. It is suggested that specialized courses should be revisited and developed in order to fulfill the mission of this field. It is also essential that the society-oriented and clinical nature of the courses be reinforced.