Certificate Programs

Overview

Sponsoring department

• International Health

Educational Objectives

Global health is the study of the health of populations in a global context, considering its political, social and economic impact. The certificate is primarily intended for junior and mid-level professionals practicing or planning to practice in developing countries and interested in expanding their global health skills and knowledge. The certificate can be completed entirely with online courses or with a combination of online and on-campus courses. Upon completion of the Global Health Certificate, individuals will be able to:

1. Understand individual, community, and organizational behaviors and change processes in cross-cultural and developing countries settings as a foundation for planning appropriate primary health care programs
2. Apply relevant social and behavioral theories to diagnose and understand individual, social network, organizational, community, and policy-maker behaviors associated with the planning, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of community-based primary health care programs
3. Describe and critically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and sustainability of disease control programs and policies for major causes of death and disability in developing countries and discuss program and policy implementation obstacles and approaches to overcoming them
4. Extend cultural understanding, and skills to global and diverse settings related to populations such as refugees, immigrants, and migrant workers
5. Understand how to work effectively in countries and cultures with differing social and economic perspectives
6. Analyze the complexities of the social, economic, medical, political, and environmental factors that affect health

Gainful Employment Program Information

Intended Audience

The certificate is primarily intended for junior and mid-level professionals practicing or planning to practice in developing countries and interested in expanding their global health skills and knowledge. Non-degree students may take the certificate courses not-for-credit at a reduced tuition rate or for credit. Non-credit tuition is one-half of for-credit tuition per academic credit.

The Certificate in Global Health is also offered for credit to Bloomberg students currently enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program or a master’s or doctoral degree program in any department of the school other than the Department of International Health.

Admissions Criteria

Non-degree Students apply through the Admissions Office (see http://www.jhsph.edu/admissions for application and instructions). Non-degree individuals eligible for admission to the certificate program must have at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a strong record of successful academic performance and have a minimum of one year of post-baccalaureate public health experience. The application includes a copy of all post-secondary transcripts, a statement of purpose vis-à-vis the certificate, and one letter of recommendation. Applicants submitting academic records from institutions outside the U.S. must have their documents evaluated by an external credentialing agency. The application does not require scores from the GRE, TOEFL, or ILETS. Only those approved by the certificate admissions committee may earn the certificate.

Bloomberg School of Public Health Doctoral and Masters Degree Students do not apply for the certificate, but are highly encouraged to contact a faculty sponsor prior to beginning the certificate courses for advice on choosing elective courses. If the student desires s/he will be assigned a certificate advisor from among the participating faculty.