Academics

Learning Goals

By the end of the program, students should be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health, consisting of biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, health policy and planning, and social science research. In particular, students should be able to:

1. Apply research skills in core public health disciplines to examine critically a range of global health challenges; 
2. Identify and assess public health problems in low and middle-income countries, and evaluate policies and programs designed to improve global health;
3. Critically evaluate health research and policy using evidence-based methodologies;
4. Apply specialist knowledge in a chosen area of concentration (disease prevention and control, health policy and financing, health and development in Africa, urbanization and health, trade and health);
5. Demonstrate competence in designing and undertaking a field research or policy project in the chosen area of concentration, and communicating evidence-based findings.

Degree Requirements / Program Design

The Master of Science in Global Health program is organized around a core curriculum of global health and five areas of concentration.  The program requires 32 credits for degree completion. The program is divided into three sections:

1. The Global Health Core courses  (15 credits) will introduce students to the major issues and key concepts in global health; 
2. The Concentration-specific courses  (9 credits) provide opportunities for students to focus on specific areas of global health; the five areas of concentration are:
   • Disease Prevention & Control
   • Health Financing
   • Health & Development in Africa
   • Urban Health, Demographics, & Reproductive Health 
   • Global Health Governance: Politics, Policy, & Institutions
3. The Field Research Module and Scholarly Paper  (8 credits) allow students to conceptualize a successful study, manage data in the field, and prepare a written summary of their findings, in addition to producing a Scholarly Paper that enhances the academic field of global health and provides a meaningful contribution to the health status of populations around the world.