Degree Programs
Master of Science in Global Health and Sustainable Development
The Master of Science in Global Health and Sustainable Development provides you with the foundation you need to spark change. This degree prepares you to use your expertise to improve health and wellbeing globally and locally.
Throughout your studies, you will work with world-renowned faculty from a variety of disciplines with specialized interests.
You can complete your 30-credit degree in as little as 15 months. Your online coursework offers you the flexibility you need to complete your studies.
Our program and courses include attention to public health across low-, middle-, and high-income countries as well as the social, economic, political, and organizational conditions that comprise the environmental backdrop for health and well-being.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of 30 credit hours comprised of six 3-credit hour general core courses in public health and four additional 3-credit hour courses on a variety of global public health topics.
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 664 Introduction to Global Health Diplomacy
- PBHL-A 668 Global Health Policy Analysis
- PBHL-S 630 Maternal and Child Health
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 2025
Core courses (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
Concentration courses (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
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.
Admissions
All applicants to the Master of Science in Global Health and Sustainable Development must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, show evidence of satisfactory preparation in math and computer skills, and have an acceptable academic record.
Admissions criteria
Whether you're here in Indiana or across the globe, we'll help you through the application process.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
- Competent written and oral communication skills.
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Minimum of one year of undergraduate mathematics (e.g. algebra, statistics, or finite math).
Please note:
It is not uncommon for degree programs to have some curricular overlap, especially between different degree levels within the same/similar discipline.
Credit sharing (also referred to as double-dipping) for degrees at the same degree level is not allowed. For example, the Master of Science in Global Health and Sustainable Development degree and the Master of Public Health degree may not share credits across the curriculum to obtain two separate degrees. This applies to graduated students returning to obtain a second degree.
The only allowable credit overlap or sharing exists between approved accelerated degree programs, dual degree programs, master's to PhD, or the approved use of credits earned in a graduate certificate for a more advanced degree.
Personal statement
The personal statement should be 750 words and can be uploaded to the Personal Statement section of SOPHAS. In your own words, describe experiences that have shaped your interest in public health.
Discuss your past education, experience, and current professional objectives. You are encouraged to comment on your plans to use your education and training, the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in the field, and any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in the field of global health.
The personal statement can be uploaded electronically to the SOPHAS application.
Résumé
For each position on the résumé or CV, provide the job title, employing agency, dates employed, and responsibilities held. Indicate any additional strengths or skills such as fluency in foreign languages, research experience, teaching experience, community service, and demonstration of leadership skills. Include professional certifications, honors, and awards.
Your résumé or CV can be uploaded electronically into SOPHAS and should not be mailed.
Transcript
U.S. or Canadian transcripts
Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University campuses. U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.
Applicants are required to enter all U.S. coursework. Entering U.S. coursework allows SOPHAS to calculate GPAs that institutions use in reviewing applications, provides a way for institutions to review applications using electronic review forms, and allows for a mechanism to gather aggregate information about prior coursework. SOPHAS uses official transcripts to verify the self-reported coursework. This process significantly expedites the institution review process.
Foreign transcripts
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline.
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
DO NOT mail any other documents to SOPHAS, including thesis, dissertations, or pre-secondary or secondary transcripts.
International applicants will be required to submit official transcripts, marksheets and diplomas from all colleges and universities attended to the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs (OIA). OIA will evaluate your transcripts to determine if eligibility requirements for graduate study have been met.
Please mail transcripts, marksheets and diploma to:
Office of International Affairs
IU Indianapolis
902 W. New York Street, ES2126
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Office: (317) 274-7000
Fax: (317) 274-2213
Email: intlaff@iu.edu
Web: international.indianapolis.iu.edu
Letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required from professional sources that can provide an unbiased critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Examples of professional and academic sources are academic advisors, professors, preceptors, or immediate supervisors. Examples of sources that are not acceptable include coworkers, colleagues, classmates, and relatives.
Recommendation letters must be submitted electronically to SOPHAS.
International applicants
The Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health requires applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions to prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be under two years old.
The preferred minimum English language test scores for admission to the Fairbanks School of Public Health are:
Internet based TOEFL: minimum score of 79
Computer based TOEFL: minimum score of 213
Paper based TOEFL: minimum score of 550
IELTS: minimum score of 6.5
Applicants must submit:
- TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code: 5688
- IELTS scores can be uploaded electronically to SOPHAS. Upload IELTS scores in the standardized test section of the application and include your TRF number.
English Placement Test
International students who reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit either TOEFL, IELTS or IU Indianapolis EAP (English for Academic Purposes) exam scores.
International applicants who do not reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit their TOEFL or ILETS scores with their application and, if admitted to the MS-GHSD program, must also complete the EAP Exam upon arrival to Indianapolis.
The USMLE and ECFMG do not fulfill the required proof of English proficiency when applying to the MS-GHSD program. Applicants who have passed the USMLE or ECFMG must also submit TOEFL, ILETS or EAP scores.
For further information on the EAP, contact the IU Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts. To schedule a test date and time please call the Testing Center at 317-274-2620.
WES evaluations of transcripts
Foreign transcripts
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline.
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
DO NOT mail any other documents to SOPHAS, including thesis, dissertations, or pre-secondary or secondary transcripts.
International applicants will be required to submit official transcripts, marksheets and diplomas from all colleges and universities attended to the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs (OIA). OIA will evaluate your transcripts to determine if eligibility requirements for graduate study have been met.
Please mail transcripts, marksheets and diploma to:
Office of International Affairs
IU Indianapolis
902 W. New York Street, ES2126
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Office: (317) 274-7000
Fax: (317) 274-2213
Email: intlaff@iu.edu
Web: international.indianapolis.iu.edu
Updated: April 2025
