Global Health

The Master of Science in Global Health at Georgetown University is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to address complex health issues that transcend national borders. This program emphasizes a global perspective on health, focusing on the social, economic, political, and environmental determinants that influence health outcomes worldwide. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning, and engagement with international health organizations, students gain a deep understanding of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health disparities, and policy development.

The curriculum covers essential topics including epidemiology, health systems strengthening, global health governance, infectious disease control, health promotion, and the ethical considerations of international health interventions. Students are encouraged to critically analyze health policies and develop strategies for sustainable health improvements in diverse cultural and resource settings. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment where students work on real-world projects, participate in field internships, and network with global health professionals to gain practical insights and build professional connections.

Designed for recent graduates, public health professionals, medical practitioners, and policymakers alike, the program prepares graduates for impactful careers in international health agencies, non-governmental organizations, governmental health departments, research institutions, and consulting firms. The faculty comprises renowned experts in global health, epidemiology, and health policy, who bring extensive field experience and academic excellence to their teaching. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to lead initiatives aimed at improving health equity, managing health crises, and contributing to global health policy development.

With its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, practical experience, and leadership development, the Master of Science in Global Health at Georgetown University remains a premier choice for individuals committed to making a meaningful difference in global health. The program's flexible delivery options and numerous specialization opportunities allow students to tailor their education to their specific interests and career aspirations, ensuring they are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of international health in the 21st century.

The Master of Science in Global Health program is organized around a core curriculum of global health and five areas of concentration.  The program is designed as a full-time three-semester program (fall, spring, summer or fall) and requires 36 credits for degree completion. The program is divided into three sections:

1. The Global Health Core courses  (17 credits) will introduce students to the major issues and key concepts in global health; 
2. The Concentration-specific courses  (9 credits) provide opportunities for students to focus on specific areas of global health; the five areas of concentration are: 
   • Disease Prevention & Control
   • Health Policy & Financing
   • Health & Development in Africa
   • Urbanization & Health
   • Trade & Health
3. The Field Research Module and Scholarly Project  (10 credits) allow students to conceptualize a successful study, manage data in the field, and prepare a written summary of their findings, in addition to producing a scholarly paper that enhances the academic field of global health and provides a meaningful contribution to the health status of populations around the world. 

CORE COURSES

• BIST 501: Introductory Biostatistics
• GLOH 503: Research Methods 1 - Epidemiological Methods
• GHDP 517: Health Economics and Finance
• GLOH 520: Health Policy and Systems
• GLOH 603: Implementation Science
• GLOH 601: Research Methods II
• GLOH 504: Introduction to mHealth

CONCENTRATIONS

DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

The concentration in Disease Prevention and Control will provide in depth training on the epidemiology, impact and control of infectious, as well as non-communicable and chronic diseases. Students who choose this concentration will develop competency on topics as divers as global emerging and re-emerging diseases, the threat of bioterrorism, large-scale international disease control partnerships, global environmental health issues, and the growing double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases in developing countries. A concentration in Disease Prevention and Control will provide graduates with comprehensive program planning and management skills and will prepare them for a career in local, national and global diseases control programs in low- and middle-income countries.

HEALTH POLICY AND FINANCING

The Health Policy and Financing concentration will prepare graduates for quantitative financial and policy work in support of governments in low- and middle-income countries. Students will learn to analyze and assess health insurance and other risk-pooling systems, They will master the techniques of health economics and acquire a framework for analyzing health care systems and designing strategies for system reform. By the end of the course, graduates will have the training and skills necessary to assess the performance of a health system and to formulate a plan to improve health system performance and results.

HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

The Health and Development in Africa track provides students with training on critical aspects of African development from a demographic, economic, political, social, environmental, cultural, and health perspective. The concentration offers historical analysis as well as a vision for the future of African development. Students will analyze the causes and consequences of poverty, key issues in African population health, the impact of rapid urbanization on health and development, and the state of African health systems. Graduates choosing this concentration will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to appraise health and development issues in Africa and to devise appropriate policy responses and programmatic solutions that will help to address the multiple opportunities and challenges facing African countries today.

TRADE AND HEALTH

The concentration in Trade and Health introduces students to the relationship between international laws governing patents and trade and efforts to protect and promote human health. Students will examine the economic, social, technological and political dimensions of globalization and how they impact health status, the provision of health care and global public health. They will think critically about how globalization and the international trade regime affect national regulation in the interests of human health. In depth study of international treaties such as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and international agreements such as TRIPS will provide students with the conceptual and evidence-based foundation for the analysis of globalization, trade, transnational legal frameworks and health.

GLOH COURSES

The following courses are offered by the Department of International Health. MSGH graduate students may enroll in courses offered by other Georgetown schools and institutions, subject to the approval from the program director.   

• GLOH 614: Changing Global Demographic and Economic Patterns 
• GLOH 627: The Politics of Global Health and Development
• GLOH 650: Combating Non-Communicable Diseases in Developing Countries: Challenges and Strategies
• GLOH 706: International Health Partnerships and Disease Control
• GLOH 708: Poverty and Health: Ensuring Access to Pharmaceuticals in Developing Countries
• GLOH 725: Health Insurance and Risk Management
• GLOH 730: Planning, Costing, & Budgeting Health
• GLOH 740: Urbanization, Health and the Environment

• Baccalaureate degree
• Online application form, including the following electronically submitted components: 
• A résumé or CV
• A statement of purpose (not to exceed 500 words)
• Three letters of recommendation, academic or professional
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
• Video Interview
• All transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. must be translated into U.S. equivalencies through a course-by-course transcript evaluation by World Education Services (WES). An official course-by-course evaluation from WES must be submitted by the application deadline. 
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)  or  the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is required of all applicants who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction. No other exam or certificate may be substituted for the TOEFL or IELTS.  Applicants must take the test no later than December to ensure that results will reach the Graduate School by the application deadline. Exams taken after the application deadline are not eligible for Fall admissions consideration for that year.  Both the TOEFL and the IELTS exams are given regularly throughout the world.The minimum TOEFL score for admissions consideration is 600 (paper test) or 100 (iBT test).The minimum IELTS score for admissions consideration is 7.0.
• Several years' experience living, studying, and working abroad is strongly recommended.

Scholarships

• Assistantships: stipends provided in return for service in teaching, research, or other matters of an academic nature
• Fellowships: stipend without a work obligation
• Scholarships: tuition grants
• Fulbright Scholarship Program (Visiting Scholar Program) 
• International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)

The Master of Science in Global Health at Georgetown University offers students a comprehensive understanding of global health issues, emphasizing the complex interactions between health determinants, healthcare systems, and policy development worldwide. This program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in international health settings, NGOs, government agencies, and research institutions. It integrates interdisciplinary coursework covering epidemiology, health policy, economics, environmental health, and social and behavioral sciences, enabling graduates to develop effective interventions and health strategies across diverse populations.

The curriculum combines core courses with specialized electives, allowing students to tailor their education to specific interests such as infectious diseases, health disparities, maternal and child health, or health systems strengthening. Practical experience is a key component, often including internships, fieldwork, and research projects in collaboration with international organizations or local health agencies. Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C., offers unique opportunities for engagement with policymakers, global health organizations, and advocacy groups, enriching students' educational experience and professional networks.

The program typically spans one to two years, with options for part-time or full-time study, accommodating working professionals and students from varied backgrounds. Students are encouraged to participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, and other extracurricular activities that facilitate networking and professional development. Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills necessary to analyze complex health challenges, design scalable interventions, and influence health policies at local, national, and global levels.

Admission requirements generally include a relevant undergraduate degree, relevant work experience, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and standardized test scores such as the GRE or TOEFL for non-native English speakers. The program aims to foster a diverse student body, encouraging international applicants to contribute their perspectives and experiences. Upon graduation, students join a global network of health professionals committed to improving health outcomes and reducing disparities worldwide, consistent with Georgetown’s mission to promote justice and human dignity through education and service.