Program Overview

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Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery

The Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery (MMSc-GHD) program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to succeed in global health delivery. The program is offered in-person and has a program format that includes a combination of coursework, research, and practical experience.

Overview

The MMSc-GHD program is a 12-month program that includes a 5-month on-site mentored project. The program is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in global health delivery and who have a strong background in medicine, public health, or a related field.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the MMSc-GHD program includes a combination of coursework and research. The coursework includes classes in global health delivery, research methods, and statistics, as well as electives in areas such as health policy, health economics, and epidemiology. The research component of the program includes a 5-month on-site mentored project, where students work with a faculty mentor to design and implement a research project in a global health setting.

Thesis

The thesis is a critical component of the MMSc-GHD program. Students are required to complete a thesis that demonstrates their ability to design and implement a research project in a global health setting. The thesis is typically 10-15 pages in length and is expected to be of publishable quality.

Admissions

Applications for the MMSc-GHD program are accepted on a rolling basis, with a deadline of January 14, 2026. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and must have a strong background in medicine, public health, or a related field.

Required Materials

• Online application: The application will request information on the applicant's contact information, education, professional experience, and unofficial transcripts. The online application will also include essay questions and a place for recommenders to upload recommendation letters.
• College/University (school) information: You will enter the names of all college- and university-level schools you have attended and what year you completed your studies at that institution.
• Transcripts: Applicants will upload unofficial transcripts to the online application. Transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. The program will request official transcripts from students who are admitted into the program.
• Recommendations: Applicants must request letters of recommendation from three referees. You will email your referee directly from the online application to request these letters. The referee will complete their letter on the letterhead of the referee's organization and sign the letter.
• Resume/CV: Applicants will upload a resume/CV. This document will be uploaded into the online application system as a PDF file.
• Additional essay questions: Applicants will upload answers to the following prompts:
  • Please describe any experience you have had working in a resource-poor setting, including the length of stay, name of the organization, and description of the work completed. (500 words max)
  • Why are you interested in the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery program? (500 words max)
  • Thinking 10 to 15 years into the future, what kind of career do you hope to have? (500 words max)
  • Each MMSc-GHD student must complete a 5-month on-site mentored project. Write about a topic that you would be interested in researching while in the program. Explain why you are interested in studying this topic and how you might pursue it (i.e., population and site locations). (500 words max)
  • Personal statement or additional information that the applicant would like the Admissions Committee to know more about related to their work or volunteer experience, academic interests, professional aspirations and/or motivations. (500 words max)
• Test scores: The MMSc-GHD program will accept scores from the MCAT, GRE, and LSAT. You may upload a copy of these into the online system.
• Application fee: All Harvard Medical School master's programs require a $100 application fee.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are recommended but not required for admission, with one exception: to ensure an applicant has the necessary English language skills for success in the program, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English.

Applicants demonstrate proficiency in English in one or more of these three ways:

• Submit a transcript for a four-year undergraduate college/university degree where the language of instruction is English.
• Or submit a transcript for a two-year graduate university degree where the language of instruction is English.
• Or submit test scores for one of the English tests below.

Harvard Medical School's master’s programs accept TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS Academic, and Duolingo English Test.

Minimum Test Score Requirements:

• TOEFL iBT: 103
• TOEFL Essentials: 11
• IELTS Academic: 7.5
• Duolingo English Test: 130

Financial Aid Resources

Please review the HMS Financial Aid Office website for details on Financial aid options beyond those listed below.

Master’s Program Tuition Discount for Faculty and Staff at HMS and Affiliated Institutions

Beginning for the entering class of AY20 (Fall 2019), full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff at HMS and the affiliated institutions/hospitals are eligible for a scholarship equivalent to 10% of the full-time tuition rate for any of the HMS Master’s Degree Programs (tuition only).

Scholarships available: Funding through MMSc-GHD internal scholarships

The Department of Global Health and Social Medicine (DGHSM) has limited scholarship funding. Students admitted to the MMSc-GHD program are eligible to apply for that scholarship funding. In addition, eligible students may apply for Federal Loans and private loans through the Harvard Medical School Financial Aid Office website for masters programs.

Due to limited resources, the DGHSM cannot guarantee that an applicant or admitted student will receive any funding. We strongly urge applicants and admitted students to pursue scholarship and loan opportunities beyond those available through our department to ensure they secure enough funding for the program.

Below are some funding ideas you may consider as you conduct your own research:

• The HMS Financial Aid office offers loan options for U.S. citizens and international students.
• The Fulbright Program offers funding for students from abroad seeking to pursue a master's degree in the U.S.