Master's Degree
Master of Global Health
About the Master of Global Health Program
We offer a fully online or a blended master's degree in Global Health (MGH). Depending on the area students choose to emphasize, the Master of Global Health will prepare students to engage in the global community in a variety of health-focused roles, including as clinicians, researchers, managers, developers and policy consultants. Students will develop a deep understanding of the multiple factors that shape health and healthcare across the world and the necessity of working on interprofessional teams to develop community-based solutions in underserved and resource-poor communities.
Taught by a diverse faculty with global health research and practice experience, students will complete 36 credit hours of varied and innovative coursework. Through participation in ongoing interprofessional global health projects and research that identify healthcare solutions and build capacity in local communities, students will develop skills in critical thinking and research methodologies as well as the perspective needed to tackle complex issues in resource-poor regions worldwide. This program, including the scholarly project, helps students master the field of global health through research, practice and service.
Students can complete the degree in as few as 18 months, or can complete on a part-time basis.
What kind of job can you get in Global Health? Check out the 2016 Recent Graduates Study from the Consortium of Universities for Global Health.
Admission Requirements
Deadlines
The online (MG8172) and blended Master of Global Health (MG8173) offer a fall start date.
Start date: August - Fall Semester
Application deadline: Applications accepted until June 30 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. For priority consideration apply by February 15. Deadline is February 1 for international applicants
Applicants must:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree at the start of the MGH
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (undergraduate)
- Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher on 4.0 scale (graduate coursework or students with existing masters degrees)
- Submit two professional letters of recommendation that speak to your level of maturity, professional background and prior experience, leadership qualities and potential for working in interdisciplinary teams
- Submit a professional statement (1000 word limit) that discusses your accomplishments, career goals and objectives, and the value of the MGH degree to achieving your career goals
- Send official transcripts
- Submit a CV or resume indicating prior global, language, community development and/or healthcare (including clinical) experience
- GRE optional (if taken, scores sent to Ohio University)
International admissions:
- TOEFL official scores sent to Ohio University
- Waived if student already graduated from or is a current student at a U.S. university
Sample Academic Schedule
Fall Semester 1
- IHS 5210 Fundamentals of Global Health (3 credits)
- IHS 6210 Globalization and Health (3 credits)
- IHS 5222 Comparative Health Systems (3 credits)
Spring Semester 1
- IHS 5303 Secondary Data Analysis in Global Health (4 credits)
- MPA 5580 Public Sector Program Evaluation (3 credits) or PM 6100 (3credits)
- IHS 5521 GH Research and Service (3 credits)
Fall Semester 2
- IHS 6931 Scholarly project prep course (3 credits)*
- Elective (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester 2
- IHS 6932 Scholarly Project (5 credits)*
- Elective (3 credits)
*Students can identify their own scholarly project or take advantage of the Global Health Initiative's internal and external partnerships. All students are eligible to apply for funding to support travel for their scholarly project.
Electives can be selected from IHS Global Health Courses or from collaborating OHIO graduate degree programs including African Studies, Communication and Development Studies, International Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Modern Languages, Nursing, Political Science, Public Health and Public Administration.
Total Program Hours Required for Graduation: 36 (As of Fall 2022-23)
Tuition Rates - OHIO Bursar's Website - See information for the College of Health Sciences & Professions
*All rates subject to change by the Board of Trustees; additional fees may apply.
- Use code MG8172 for the online program or
- Use code MG8173 for the blended program
Dual Degree Options*
Contact globalhealth@ohio.edu for sample schedules for the dual degree options.
The African Studies/MGH provides opportunities for students to acquire specialized knowledge of the cultural aspects of health in Africa, regional medical infrastructures and current community health issues. The program provides students with a strong grounding in the traditional African Studies core disciplines of political science, anthropology, history, geography, literature and how knowledge of these disciplines can be applied to develop a deeper understanding of the multiple factors that shape health and healthcare across the Africa. The program will prepare students for positions in national and international policy-making bodies, non-governmental development organizations, national ministries and in the heritage/museums sector.
The Communication & Development Studies (COMMDEV)/MGH combines the study of communication and development with global health. The focus of the program is to help students develop the intercultural competencies and skills necessary to develop programs and work in diverse cultural settings on global health issues. The dual program will prepare students to engage in the global community as researchers, managers, developers and as policy consultants with the ability to use effective communication in addressing global health concerns. COMMDEV/MGH graduates can take a broad range of career paths in health informatics, research, consultancy and other related positions.
Students admitted to the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine are eligible to apply to the D.O./M.G.H. program. This dual degree program is designed for medical students interested in developing skills to work with multicultural, low resource, and vulnerable populations.
The International Development Studies/MGH combines international development with global health studies. The program provides students with knowledge and understanding of the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of global health as it concerns international development considerations. The program incorporates a number of related disciplines including international affairs and development, governance, diplomacy, law and anthropology to enhance the confidence of students across these fields. The dual program will offer a unique opportunity for students to draw on the strengths of both programs gain a holistic view of global health and international development programs.
The LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES/ MGH program allows students to specialize in Latin American regional/continental level health issues. This dual degree program provides an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on development and social justice with a strong regional emphasis on Latin America and the factors that shape health and healthcare in the region and across the world. Students will be able to apply their acquired knowledge to the study and critical analysis of the region, its people, culture, and realities in relation to global health issues. The dual degree l maximize the value of global health studies and enable students to be better prepared for diverse careers in government, private business, and the non-profit sector.
The MPH/MGH will prepare students to examine the behavioral, social and cultural factors that impact health behavior and health outcomes in rural health as well as the global community. Through classroom instruction, research and/or field experience with OHIO faculty and public health leaders in rural Appalachian Ohio, as well as participation in ongoing interprofessional global health projects, students will develop a deep understanding of factors that shape health in rural and underserved communities in the US and around the world. Students will be prepared to engage in rural health research and practice as well as develop perspectives and research methodologies needed to tackle complex health issues worldwide. Students who complete an MPH/MGH are well positioned for careers in a variety of settings, including local or state health departments, community-based organizations, governmental organizations (CDC), and international agencies.
*Prospective students must apply separately to each Master's Program
For additional information, contact:
740.593.2359
Conferral Requirements
University. Conferral of a graduate degree or certificate requires an accumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 – GPA cannot be “rounded up” to achieve a 3.0. No course with a grade below C (2.0) may be used to satisfy any graduate degree or certificate requirement.