Global Health

Please note: The Global Health Certificate program is no longer open to non-degree students.  Current JHSPH and JHU degree students may continue to apply for the Global Health Certificate program by following the instructions found on the How to Apply page.

Students who are not currently enrolled in a degree program at JHU are encouraged to consider the Global Health Practice certificate program. 

Overview

Global health is the study of the health of populations in a global context, considering its political, social, and economic impact. The certificate program 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 program can be completed entirely with online courses or with a combination of online and on-campus courses. See eligibility and admissions process below.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of the Global Health Certificate, individuals will be able to:

1. Describe 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. Apply cultural competence and skills to global and diverse settings related to populations such as refugees, immigrants, and migrant workers
5. Explain 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

Eligibility

JHU graduate students who are not enrolled in the Bloomberg School of Public Health must have at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a strong record of successful academic performance and a minimum of one year of post-baccalaureate public health work experience. 

The certificate program is offered to Bloomberg students in any department of the school other than the Department of International Health; students enrolled in the JHSPH MAS degree program are not eligible to apply until after they have completed their primary degree program. 

This certificate program is not currently open to Postdoctoral Fellows from any division of Johns Hopkins University.

Admissions Process- JHU Degree Students

Applicants should review the How to Apply page for information about how to apply to a certificate program as a JHSPH or JHU graduate degree student. The Global Health Certificate program requires JHU degree students, including those enrolled in programs at JHSPH, to submit a Course Plan prior to registering for their third course. Students should not begin taking their third courses until they have sent in their Course Plan and received official notification of approval to continue from the certificate program. Students will not be granted the Certificate in Global Health if they have not submitted a course plan; admission to the program will not be granted retroactively. 

Requirements for Successful Completion

The certificate program requires a minimum of 18 term credits.  All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grad and a 2.75 or better overall GPA for all Certificate courses is required.  The certificate program length is flexible; it varies from student to student, however, the certificate must be completed within three years.

The student should review the section of the website that addresses completion before completing certificate program requirements.  The student's transcripts will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted, verified by the certificate program, and processed by the Registrar.

Course of Study

Please note: The Global Health certificate program will not approve any course substitutions or waivers. The curriculum indicated below cannot be altered in any way for individual students.

Students should check the course catalog to confirm when the course is offered.  The term and time may change from what is listed in the table below and students should also check for pre-requisites and whether instructor consent is required.

S = Course is offered in the Summer Term; SI= Course is offered in the Summer Institute Term

Contact Information

Sponsoring Department
International Health

Faculty Sponsor
Name William (Bill) Brieger

Program Contact
Name Karla McCarthy
Phone: (410)614-3000
Email kmccarthy@jhu.edu