MPH Elective Course Option: Global Health

Overview

Global health is broadly defined as the area of study and research that seeks to improve global population health and achieve health equity for all. Professionals tackling global health issues develop, implement and evaluate policies to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations in low- and middle-income environments.

With a global health background, you can bring relief to underserved populations around the world. Global health is playing an increasingly important role in national and international security, and it greatly affects our global economy.

Elective Courses

With MPH@GW, you will complete up to 16 elective credits. Interested in global health? Consider choosing the following elective courses to match your interests:

  • Researching Violence Against Women and Girls (PUBH 6058, 2 credits)
  • Monitoring and Evaluation of Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs in Low- and Middle Income Countries (PUBH 6451, 2 credits)
  • Global Environmental and Occupational Health (PUBH 6128, 2 credits )
  • Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Low-Income Countries (PUBH 6132, 2 credits)
  • Global Health Frameworks (PUBH 6400, 2 credits)
  • Social and Behavior Change Communication in Middle-to Low-Income Countries (PUBH 6452, 2 credits)
  • Global Health Diplomacy (PUBH 6450, 2 credits)
  • Public Health in Humanitarian Settings (PUBH 6480, 2 credits)
  • Global Child Health (PUBH 6563, 2 Credits)

“The MPH@GW program helped me understand complex health care system issues that are important for providing and ensuring health care among vulnerable populations in my community. It also helped me to become an expert at writing public health research papers and in managing and analyzing health data.”

—Joe Malone, MPH@GW Graduate ‘18

What Can I Do With Global Health?

MPH@GW’s global health elective courses are designed for students who are committed to improving public health on a global scale by researching public health issues; implementing programs to address, prevent and reduce disparities in health care; effectively communicating health news to the public; and increasing awareness across borders.

Professionals in global health may work for organizations or agencies that concentrate on the following areas:

  • Global Health Diplomacy: Advance the nation’s health care agenda through strategic diplomacy and, conversely, improve diplomatic relations through collaboration.
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health: Design, implement and measure programs that address challenges involving family planning, abortion, maternal health and gender-based violence.
  • Global Health Communication: Study human behavior and its complexities in order to strategize how health policy, research and news are accurately and effectively communicated to the public.
  • Health Equity: Prevent and reduce disparities in public health and health care by creating programs, interventions or policies that address contributing political, social and economic factors.
  • Violence Against Women and Girls Prevention: Understand the impact violence against women and girls (VAWG) has on the health of the survivor, her current or future children, and communities in order to bring about awareness and prevention.

Career Outlook

Employment of health educators is expected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is a much faster growth rate than the average for all occupations1. The growing demand for community health workers stems from increasing efforts to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes by raising awareness about healthy habits and behaviors.

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, (Accessed July 23, 2020)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference