Thank you for your interest in the Department of Global Health! Our department focuses on providing educational opportunities for those interested in global health issues, and emerging infectious disease threats worldwide. The program will prepare students for careers in governmental agencies such as the CDC, WHO, EPA, and USAID; non-profit governmental agencies such as the Helen Keller International and Save the Children Fund; state health departments; immigrant and migrant health services; philanthropic organizations such as the Gates Foundation; and research institutions and professional schools in the biomedical field. Foreign graduates would typically qualify for a position when they return to their home countries in the ministries of health, governmental and non-governmental health agencies, and academia.
There are three primary tracks in the department: 1) Global Health Practice 2) Global Communicable Diseases, and our new online track in 3) Global Disaster Management and Humanitarian Action. All programs for the MPH degree can usually be completed in about two years. An MSPH degree is offered for those interested in pursuing a research thesis program at the Master’s level, and these would typically require up to an additional year for completion of the thesis research.
The department also offers doctoral degrees such as the PhD for those interested in a research or academic career, and the DrPH for experienced public health practitioners who are interested in global health issues internationally. Doctoral degrees involve writing research dissertations and would typically require four or more years to complete.
The Department of Global Health also offers Master’s degrees associated with the Masters International Peace Corps Program, where students can complete their coursework in the Department, and then conduct their field work during their Peace Corps service. Students in the Global Health Practice concentration are required to conduct an International Field Experience in one of several international field sites in collaborating institutions that our department has established in countries such as Panama, Malaysia, and others. Those in the Global Communicable Diseases concentration will complete their Field Experience with domestic field placements and internships in local, state or national agencies.
I hope this website is informative and welcome you to contact us with additional questions.
Boo H. Kwa, Ph.D
Chair and Professor
Faculty & Staff
