Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH) is a flexible, online graduate program designed to empower graduates with the tools and skills to address global health challenges. Students complete 30 credits over a one-year period if full-time or up to five years if part-time, including nine core courses (27 credits) focusing on core competencies in management, ethics, evidence-based practice, globalization of health and healthcare, strategic analysis, capacity strengthening, collaboration and communication.

Program Details

• The program is delivered online.
• The total credits required for the program are 30.
• The credit hour cost is $995.
• The minimum duration of the program is 1 year.

Program Outcomes

Students will achieve competencies recommended by the Consortium of Universities for Global Health within the following domains:

• Global burden of disease
• Globalization of health and healthcare
• Social and environmental determinants of health
• Capacity strengthening
• Collaboration, partnering, and communication
• Ethics
• Professional practice
• Health equity and social justice
• Program management
• Sociocultural and political awareness
• Strategic analysis

Career Impact

Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the 21st century as global societies face emerging complex and challenging health and environment issues. Students of the MSGH program come from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Those with rigorous training and education in the field will find professional opportunities in many areas domestically and internationally. Potential opportunities in global health may include working in multi-national organizations, universities, research institutes, non-governmental organizations, global consulting companies, health organizations, and government at city, state, and federal levels.

Course Information

Core Courses

• OST 822 One Health Transdisciplinary Collaborations to Global Health (4 Credits)
• OST 822 Introduction to Global Health Practice (3 Credits)
• OST 823 Global Burden of Disease (3 Credits)
• OST 824 Emerging Topics in Global Health (3 Credits)
• OST 825 Ethical Issues in Global Health (3 Credits)
• OST 827 Global Health Management (3 Credits)
• OST 828 Global Health Capstone (3 Credits)
• OST 829 Global Health Community Assessment (3 Credits)
• OST 831 Evidence-Based Practice in Global Health (3 Credits)

Electives

• OST 686 Global Health: Mexico Community Medicine and Mayan Culture in the Yucatan (3 Credits)
• OST 687 Global Health: Peru Medical Service (3 Credits)
• OST 688 Global Health: Cuban Healthcare Delivery System (3 Credits)
• OST 689 Global Health: Haiti Introduction to Global Health and Culture (3 Credits)
• OST 690 Global Health: Dominican Republic Healthcare Delivery System and Culture (3 Credits)
• OST 691 Global Health: Guatemala Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (1 Credit)
• OST 692 Global Health: Turkish Healthcare Delivery System and Culture (3 Credits)
• OST 693 Global Health: Korean Healthcare Delivery System (3 Credits)
• OST 694 Global Health: One Health in Nepal (3 Credits)
• OST 826 Health Communication for Diverse Populations (3 Credits)
• OST 830 Independent Study in Global Health (1-3 Credit)
• PSY 880 Foundations of Evaluation Practice (3 Credits)
• PSY 881 Evaluation Design (3 Credits)

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree, professional degree, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university
• 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
• Previous work experience (CV or Résumé)
• A written personal statement addressing the following questions:
  • Why are you interested in global health?
  • What are your career goals following the Graduate Certificate in Global Health? How will a degree in global health help you meet those goals?
  • What additional information would you like to share in consideration for admission?
• 2 Letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

Tuition & Fees

• The tuition per credit is $995.
• The cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, with other expenses associated with being a graduate student.

Key Dates

• Application deadlines:
  • Fall: July 1st
  • Summer: April 1st
  • Spring: December 1st

University Rankings

• 29th among Best Public Universities in America U.S. News & World Report, 2025
• Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
• #51 in Public Health Programs U.S. News & World Report, 2025

The MSU Value Promise

Michigan State University ensures a return on investment with its high-quality education and research opportunities, providing life-changing experiences to a diverse and inclusive academic community. With over 160 years of advancing the common good, MSU is committed to solving global challenges through enduring partnerships and innovative approaches to education.