HELP 2011-2012 University Catalog Global Health, MS Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code:  HH-MS-GLOH

Unit: Global and Community Health 

This degree incorporates epidemiology and biostatistics, region-based nutrition, cross-cultural perspectives on health issues, community health assessment, program evaluation, international health systems and organizations, and international health research. Practicum or thesis options allow students to explore current dilemmas, demands, and health services with a global focus and perspective.

Graduates of this program will be given the knowledge base and skills to work and conduct research within the global health environment. Through course work and experiential learning, students will be prepared to work in the diverse cultural and multidisciplinary environments inherent in global health. Students will learn about the fundamentals of global public health, including epidemiology, environmental health, global health policies, and sociocultural influences on health and behavior. Students will also be trained in how to collaborate among nonprofit, governmental, and business sectors. Graduates will be prepared to work in international health organizations such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), governmental organizations, and multilateral organizations, or may choose to pursue a research pathway and continue toward a terminal degree.

Application Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive, and a variety of criteria are evaluated in the admissions process: undergraduate academic performance, recent post-baccalaureate course work, work experience, professional goals, and recommendations. Undergraduate courses in statistics, anthropology, sociology, and natural sciences are helpful. In addition, at least 6 credits of a foreign language or equivalent are prerequisites for students who are not already fluent in a second language. Applicants must meet the admissions standards and application requirements specified in the Admission  chapter of the catalog, and apply using the online Application for Graduate Admission. Applications are considered for the fall and spring semesters. For application deadlines and detailed application requirements, please refer to Graduate Application Database.

Transfer of Credit

Transfer credit is governed by university transfer of graduate credit policy  and the university requirements for master’s degrees , and transfer credit must be approved by the program director and the dean. Students who enroll initially through Nondegree Studies should seek course advising through the department prior to taking a course and plan to submit their application to the MS program in their first semester of study.

Options

Global Health students must select either the Practicum or Thesis option.

Practicum Option

For the practicum option, which entails the application of an idea or theory through fieldwork, students will be required to complete one practicum within a global health agency under the guidance of a preceptor and a faculty advisor. Students are encouraged to conduct the practicum either abroad or the Washington DC region.

Thesis Option

Thesis-option students will select a thesis director who will guide the work and be the ultimate judge of its acceptability. The director must be on the faculty of the Department of Global and Community Health. Thesis topics must complement one of the areas of GCH faculty expertise, which include epidemiology, biostatistics, mental health, social networks, health communication, and health behavior. Students must conduct an original research project that employs a standard research design to collect data and test a theory. Students must develop a research proposal and have it approved by their advisor before beginning the research project. Students must register for 6 hours of thesis research, but completion of these hours is not sufficient to satisfy the thesis requirement. The final thesis must conform to University Libraries guidelines.