MS in Global Health

The MS in Global Health incorporates epidemiology and biostatistics, region-based nutrition, cross-cultural perspectives in mental health issues, community health assessment, program evaluation, human resource concerns, international health systems and organizations, refugee and internally displaced people health issues, and international health research. Practicum or thesis options allow students to explore in situ current dilemmas, demands, and health services with a global focus and perspective. Graduates of the Global Health program develop the knowledge base and skills to work and conduct research within the global health environment. Through course work and experiential learning, students are prepared to work in the diverse cultural and multidisciplinary environments inherent to global health. Students learn the fundamentals of global public health, including epidemiology, environmental health, global health policies, and sociocultural influences on health and behavior. Students also are trained on how to collaborate among nonprofit, governmental, and business sectors. Graduates may pursue careers in a variety of international health organizations or may choose to pursue a research pathway and continue toward a terminal degree. The MS Global Health has four student learning outcomes: All students will understand how to apply their knowledge and skills gained in the program by completing a project or research thesis related to a current issue in global health on the basis of their research and/or experience with global health organizations within the United States and abroad. All students will be able to describe the organizations involved within the global health arena and explain their roles, functions, funding sources, organizational structure, and involvement within global health. By the completion of the core global health courses it is expected that all students will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic skills of a global public health professional including: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, nutrition, and health administration. All students in this program should be able to: (1) research and describe current issues in global health (2) present and discuss these issues in a public forum (3) apply these skills to practice by the completion of the core global health courses.