Graduate Global Health Certificate

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The Global Health Graduate Certificate Program is a 15 credit hour program that offers a unique interprofessional opportunity for graduate students or non-degree seeking students interested in gaining a global perspective on health care through coursework.

Recent pandemics (HIV, SARS, avian influenza) are just one indicator of the increasingly globalized nature of health and health care. Demand for global health education and experience has increased as governmental and non-governmental agencies call for global health personnel. Professionals trained to address underserved populations are especially needed. Increased migration and disease proliferation require that health care providers, at home and abroad, become comfortable with different cultures, global health issues and diseases.

The Global Health Certificate will help you:

  • Gain an understanding of the factors that influence health globally
  • Learn the value to your future career of understanding global health
  • Learn about interprofessional global health related needs and opportunities

Course Work

All core courses, as well as many electives, are offered online, making them more accessible and easier to fit in your busy life.

*After applying for the certificate, you can register for these Athens online courses through MyOHIO, register for classes.

Core Courses

  1. Fundamentals of Global Health (IHS 5210): This course introduces you to the main concepts of the global health field and the critical links between global health and social and economic development. You will get an overview of the determinants of health and how health status is measured. The course also reviews the burden of disease, risk factors, and key measures to address the burden of disease in cost-effective ways. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to analyze and synthesize course material through written assignments and discussion boards.
  2. Global Health Research and Service (IHS 5521): The Research and Service course aims to improve students' understanding of the key strategies for working in the global health research and services field. To achieve this goal, the course utilizes the basic strategies for grant writing as a tool for effective and impactful program design and delivery. The course also introduces the learner to ethical issues and logistical factors that need to be taken into consideration when working with vulnerable populations and in resource-poor communities and how to address them in project delivery.
  3. Comparative Health Systems (IHS 5222): Using a case-based approach, students gain an overview of health systems, global agencies that set priorities and the impact on health outcomes. Provides students with a greater understanding of how health care systems operate to meet local needs as well as the interdependence of systems within regions and globally. Students gain an understanding of the components of a health care system, the integration of those components, theories behind different systems, how to evaluate system outcomes and how systems differ in countries around the world.

Elective Courses

Two elective courses from the approved list are required.

Students are encouraged to select electives that fit within their majors. Other courses that fit the elective description may be negotiated with the director of the certificate program.

Admission Requirements:

The Graduate Global Health Certificate will accept students in two categories: 1) Those who have been admitted to an advanced degree program at Ohio University and 2) Those who possess a bachelor's or advanced degree but are not currently in a degree program at Ohio University.

  1. Students who have already been admitted to an advanced degree program at Ohio University (degree-seeking graduate students).
    • Complete an Application for Update of Graduate Academic Program found on the Graduate College forms page. This application can be obtained online or in person from the Graduate College. The certificate code is CTGLHG.
    • The completed application, including the signature of an advisor (if applicable) should be submitted to the Global Health Initiative, in Grover E118, or emailed to Debra McBride to obtain the certificate director signature.  
  2. To apply to an individual certificate program for those who are not currently enrolled in an advanced degree program at Ohio University:
    • Submit a non-degree application to the Graduate College.  Admission requirements include the following:
      • 4-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university/college or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution
      • Ability to manage graduate studies as evidenced by undergraduate performance, current professional responsibilities, and/or similar criteria. Apply for the certificate program as a non-degree student.
      • The Graduate Global Health Certificate non-degree code is:  CTGLHG

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. 

Visit the Graduate College for more information.

For additional information, contact:

Global Health Initiative
globalhealth@ohio.edu
Grover Center E118
Athens, OH­ 45701
740.593.2359

Interested in obtaining a master's degree by combining your specific areas of interest?

This certificate is part of a unique stackable certificate option that can lead to obtaining a Master of Integrated Health Studies.

Simply choose any two of the following designated graduate certificates and complete a set of core courses.