Program Overview

Certificate of Graduate Study in Global Health Studies

Overview

The 12-credit online graduate certificate in global health studies can be earned as a standalone credential or as an add-on to the Master of Public Health or any other graduate degree. The program provides an overview of the institutions, policies, economics, and activities that affect the health of individuals, communities, and nations worldwide.

Program of Study

• Global Health: Study international public health issues and national health care systems and make recommendations to improve health outcomes in diverse populations. Topics include infectious disease, reproductive health, nutrition, chronic disease, mental health, injuries, violence, and health and the economy.
• Comparative Health Systems: A Global Perspective: Analyze different approaches to managing and delivering health care in high-income and low- and middle-income countries. Consider issues of access, cost, quality, politics, economics, and demographics.

Electives

Choose one of the following:

• Global Perspectives in Epidemiology: Devise ways to reduce the spread of disease and disability. Topics include disease emergence, biological terrorism, mosquito and water-borne diseases, drug-resistant pathogens, the return of polio, and the spread of infectious diseases. Prerequisites: Principles and Methods of Epidemiology I (Epidemiology II is recommended but not required).
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology: Review infectious disease principles and the use of epidemiologic methods in the assessment of selected communicable diseases of national and international importance.

Additional Electives

• Global Maternal and Child Health: Learn about maternal child health, including reproductive health, with a focus on low-and middle-income countries.
• Global Health Economics: Use economic theories and tools to examine health care sector financial performance and determine when and how government should regulate health care provision and intervene in ways that affect the international market.
• Universal Health Care in Costa Rica: Examine the universal health care system of Costa Rica, a middle-income country, that has health status indicators, including longevity and infant mortality rates, to rival that of the U.S. while spending much less on health care.
• Global Climate Change, Extreme Weather and Public Health: Gain a comprehensive picture of how a changing climate and extreme weather or natural disasters affect public health.
• Global Environmental Health Policy: Examine global health policies of social, economic, and political importance. Issues include toxic substances, vector-borne diseases, climate change, health disparities, environmental risk, occupational health and risk management.
• AIDS Epidemiology: Apply basic principles and methods of epidemiology to the investigation and control of the global AIDS epidemic.
• Zoonoses: Study zoonotic infectious diseases (those diseases in common between animals and humans), including newly emerging vector borne diseases around the world, and related surveillance, prevention, control and treatment priorities.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Public Health: Learn how to apply geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial statistical methods toward epidemiologic research and surveillance, and gain experience with GIS software.

Admission Requirements

• Deadlines: Rolling admission for fall, spring, and summer semesters.
• Application Requirements:
  • Must hold a bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
  • Applicants should be familiar with core public health concepts gained through previous studies or professional experience.
• International Requirements:
  • International students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 98, IELTS score of 7.0, or Duolingo score of 125.
  • UAlbany SOPHAS TOEFL code is 2532.
• Required Application Materials:
  • Official transcripts from every post-secondary academic institution attended.
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one from academic faculty).
  • Personal statement (1500-word limit).
  • CV/Resume.

Career Paths

Earning the global health certificate prepares you for a variety of roles in organizations with public health agendas. Graduates can be found managing projects, recommending strategies, establishing partnerships, and providing cultural and political insights as public health administrators and practitioners around the world. Employers include international social justice organizations, human services agencies, medical clinics, treatment centers, and community health organizations.