Degree Programs
Master of Science in Global Health and Sustainable Development
A united worldwide effort is underway to accelerate solutions to the world’s most complex and urgent global public health challenges. The MS in Global Health and Sustainable Development program is designed for early to mid-careerists who would like a broad, contemporary foundation of knowledge, skills, and abilities in global health. Graduates apply their expertise in varied roles that contribute to meeting global health goals that aim to improve health and wellbeing for people everywhere.
The global action plan led by the World Health Organization and other leading health and development organizations includes strategies that emphasize effective, sustainable policies and programs that, in addition to health and well-being, also prioritize health equity and social justice as prerequisites for health and wellbeing for all. Our program supports these goals.
We value an interdisciplinary approach to learning about global health that brings to bear relevant knowledge from a broad range of disciplines using an integrated, practical approach. In addition to foundational public health knowledge based in the natural and social sciences, we also value contributions from the arts and humanities that serve to ensure the wholistic perspective necessary for achieving goals across cultures, whether at home or abroad.
The MS in Global Health and Sustainable Development program is delivered online. Most classes include an optional synchronous virtual meeting that is recorded for students with time conflict to watch asynchronously. You must have a reliable, high-speed Internet connection to participate in the program.
We welcome students from Indiana and around the world. We strive for diversity in our study body in the firm belief that diverse perspectives brought to bear in the classroom improve the quality of learning for all.
More information about program logistics is provided during an online program orientation meeting or by speaking directly to a program representative.
What you will learn
The curriculum consists of 30 credit hours comprised of four 3-credit hour general core courses in public health and six additional 3-credit hour courses on a variety of global public health topics.
Curriculum
Public Health core courses
Take all six courses for a total of 18 credits
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health
- PBHL-P 500 Social and Behavioral Science in Public Health
- PBHL-P 551 Biostatistics for Public Health
- PBHL-P 519 Env’t Science in Public Health
- PBHL-P 517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- PBHL-P 504 U.S. Healthcare Sys. & Health Policy
Global Health and Sustainable Development concentration courses
Take all four courses for a total of 12 credits
- PBHL-A 641 Introduction to Global Health and Sustainable Development
- PBHL-A 643 Water and Sanitation
- PBHL-A 644 Sustainable Production and Consumption
- PBHL-A 646 Preservation and Restoration of Land and Sea
As the UN Sustainable Development Goals evolve and change over time, we will likewise continuously update our courses to reflect current global public health action priorities.
However, our program also aims to prepare students with specific competencies that withstand the test of time. Once mastered, these program competencies provide graduates with the skills and abilities to adapt and effectively meet new challenges and realities as they evolve.
For students who started the MS in Global Health and Sustainable Development prior to fall 2023
Core courses (12 credits)
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health
- PBHL-P 511 Comprehensive Methods and Applications in Biostatistics and Epidemiology
- PBHL-P 512 Communication & Leadership
- PBHL-P 513 Planning, Evaluation & Management
Concentration courses (18 credits)
- PBHL-A 641 Introduction to Global Health and Sustainable Development
- PBHL-A 642 Poverty, Decent Work, and Inequality
- PBHL-A 643 Water and Sanitation
- PBHL-A 644 Sustainable Production and Consumption
- PBHL-A 645 Resilient Cities and Communities
- PBHL-A 646 Preservation and Restoration of Land and Sea
Competencies
- Describe the core functions, values, and principles of global health and sustainable development.
- Identify and characterize social, economic, and environmental factors that determine global health and sustainable development.
- Select and apply appropriate frameworks to analyze relationships among the different components of ecosystems and society.
- Identify and evaluate current and emerging societal, economic, and climatic issues and regulatory frameworks that may affect the emergence of novel pathogens.
- Assess and apply best practices to prevent, control or attenuate epidemics and pandemics.
- Cultivate effective communication with diverse stakeholders on global and environmental health issues.
- Identify and recommend strategies to satisfy the needs for public health and well-being of present and future equitably.
Updated: April 2024
