Master of Public Health

Global Health Concentration

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Overview

The purpose of the global health concentration is to build students’ competencies in population-based disease prevention and control as relevant to all countries in the world. The coursework addresses public health leadership and management principles, with a focus on addressing the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations worldwide. Courses equip students with the skills to effectively strengthen global, regional, national and local public health systems, enhance public health preparedness and emergency response, implement effective policies and programs, and protect and improve global health as a whole. Graduates of this MPH concentration will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to lead multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral and multi-national initiatives to enhance the health status and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities around the world.

On-Campus Program Curriculum

  • MPH students in this concentration will take the public health core courses plus 24 units of concentration-specific coursework (16 units of concentration core courses and 8 units of elective courses).

    Required concentration courses increase students’ understanding of the role of global health research and programs, culture, public health systems, and the role of law and human rights in achieving desired health outcomes. Students are trained in quantitative and qualitative methods, healthcare policy, delivery and services, and achieve familiarity with health equity concepts and methods.

    Students in this track will examine 21st-century challenges and threats in public health and will be provided with opportunities to engage in a variety of hands-on experiences locally and internationally that reinforce classroom learning related to world-class problems.

  • PM 565: Introduction to Global Health (4 units)

    PM 576: Global Health Research & Programs (4 units)

    Introduction to the core concepts and methods of planning and implementing health-related programs and research in resource-constrained settings.

     

    In addition, students will choose two of the following to complete their core coursework:

    PM 509: Comparative Health Systems (4 units)

    PM 525: Culture & Health: Global Perspectives (4 units)

    PM 577: Global Health, Law & Human Rights (4 units)

  • Elective options can be found on the concentration Course Plan.

Online Program Curriculum

  • MPH students in this concentration will take the online program public health core courses plus 20 units of concentration-specific coursework (16 units of concentration core courses and one 4 unit elective).

    Required concentration courses increase students’ understanding of the role of global health research and programs, culture, public health systems, and the role of law and human rights in achieving desired health outcomes. Students are trained in quantitative and qualitative methods, healthcare policy, delivery and services, and achieve familiarity with health equity concepts and methods.

    Students in this track will examine 21st-century challenges and threats in public health and will be provided with opportunities to engage in a variety of hands-on experiences locally and internationally that reinforce classroom learning related to world-class problems.

  • PM 525: Culture & Health: Global Perspectives (4 units)

    International variations in health status with a focus on the impact of socioeconomic status, politics, environment, education and gender in etiology of illness, access to health care, progression of disease, and recovery.

    PM 565: Introduction to Global Health (4 units)

    Current public health issues and research topics relating to 21st century challenges and threats. Lessons learned and best practices to strengthen public health systems and enhance public health readiness and preparedness.

    PM 576: Global Health Research & Programs (4 units)

    Introduction to the core concepts and methods of planning and implementing health-related programs and research in resource-constrained settings.

    PM 577: Global Health, Law & Human Rights (4 units)

    Highlights the complex interactions between global health, law and human rights, emphasizing the use of human rights in public health thinking and practice.

  • Students in the online program choose one elective course from a curated selection offered online. Typical electives for this concentration include:

     

    PM 529 Environmental Health: An Epidemiological Approach (4 units)

    An overview of environmental health, identifying issues in assessing effects of exposure on health and potential interventions for reducing adverse health risks.

    Prerequisite: PM 512

    PM 568 Ethical Issues in Public Health (4 units)

    Ethical principles in the distribution of health resources, conduct of global public health research, and implementation of public health initiatives across different nations, cultures, religions.

On-Campus Concentration Course Plan
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Why study global health?

  • Globalization has linked our health more closely to one another than ever before. The rapid movement of people and food across borders means that a disease can travel from a remote village to an urban hub at breakneck speed.
  • To identify variations in health status with a focus on the impact of socioeconomic status, politics, environment, education, and other such factors on access to care, the etiology of illness, progression of disease and recovery from illness.
  • To build leadership skills to engage in a variety of projects around the world that seek to improve health and prevent disease.
  • To learn about the interplay of public health with politics and socioeconomic issues, and become particularly knowledgeable of the important role of culture in promoting health and preventing diseases at a global level.
  • To work with international partners to strengthen regional public health systems, enhance public health preparedness and emergency response, and protect and improve global health as a whole.
  • To develop knowledge, skills and abilities to design programs, work in multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral and multi-national initiatives to enhance the health status and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities around the world.
professor consults with student

What types of work will students be able to do after graduating?

  • Global resources administration and management
  • Refugee health/ International health
  • Evaluate climate and environmental change and its implications for global population health
  • Work for humanitarian emergencies/ emergency response and relief
  • Work with government agencies/ministries of health/non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Work with research community and universities worldwide
  • Communication in global settings
  • Strategic planning, evaluation and reporting
  • Evaluation, impact planning and population health improvement
MPH student at the World Health Organization

Careers in the Field

    What are some job titles that graduates can seek in this field?

    • Technical specialist/consultant
    • Grant writer
    • Program manager
    • Program development officer
    • Chief administrative officer of international affairs

    What are some agencies students could work for?

    • World Health Organizations (WHO)
    • United Nations Children’s Fund
    • Bureau for Global Health
    • President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
    • US Agency for International Development
    • United Methodist Committee on Relief (UNCOR)
    • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

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