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The undergraduate global health certificate is an 18 credit hour program that offers a unique interprofessional opportunity for undergraduate students interested in gaining a global perspective on health care through coursework and a capstone experience. Faculty from 15 disciplines and five colleges collaborated to create the global health certificate.

Recent pandemics (HIV, SARS, avian influenza) are just one indicator of the increasingly globalized nature of health and health care. Demand for global health education and experience has increased as governmental and non-governmental agencies call for global health personnel.­ Professionals trained to address underserved populations are especially needed.­ Increased migration and disease proliferation require that health care providers, at home and abroad, become comfortable with different cultures, global health issues and diseases.

The Global Health Certificate will help you:

• Gain an understanding of the factors that influence health globally
• Learn the value to your future career of understanding global health
• Gain hands-on experiences grounded in the ethical, practical and multicultural aspects of global health
• Learn about interprofessional global health related needs and opportunities

Course Work

All core courses, as well as many electives, are offered online, making them more accessible and easier to fit into your busy life. *After applying for the certificate, you can register for these Athens online courses through MyOHIO, Register for Classes.

Core Courses

1. Introduction to Global Health (IHS 2210- 3 Cr): This course introduces you to the main concepts of the global health field and the critical links between global health and social and economic development. You will get an overview of the determinants of health and how health status is measured. The course also reviews the burden of disease, risk factors and key measures to address the burden of disease in cost-effective ways. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to analyze and synthesize course material through written assignments and discussion boards. 
    
2. Select one of the following:
   1. Tropical Disease Biology (BIOS 4440- 3 Cr): Provides an overview of the nature, impact and management of tropical diseases and uses a holistic approach to examine tropical diseases as systems. The high prevalence of these diseases is not the­ entire ­problem.­ It is ­the consequence of many factors that come together creating a propitious environment for the spread of disease. (This course is not online.)
   2. Cross Cultural Issues in Tropical Diseases (IHS 2235- 3 Cr) : Introduces the concept of culture as a relevant framework for understanding human behavior in relation to health. It focuses on biological, environmental, cultural, social and political aspects relevant to tropical diseases, including prevention, treatment and control. It also discusses the importance of these issues in health interventions and in the design, implementation and evaluation of health promotion projects.
3. Global Health Research and Service (IHS 3521- 3 Cr): Aims to improve students’ understanding of the key strategies for working in the global health research and services field. To achieve this goal, the course utilizes the basic strategies for grant writing as a tool for effective and impactful program design and delivery. The course also introduces the learner to ethical issues and logistical factors that need to be taken into consideration when working with vulnerable populations and in resource-poor communities and how to address them in project delivery.
    
4. Global Health Interprofessional Experience (IHS 3934- 3 Cr):  A Global Health experience provides students with the opportunity to interact with an international population on a global health issue. Students  either participate in a case-based course or select an experience based on the social determinants of health (volunteer, or service learning) to strengthen knowledge and practice of global health competencies. Students may use a global health experience (i.e., OHIO-led faculty global health study abroad program) or they may work locally with organizations in the US. This course fulfills required active participation in interprofessional education (IPE) experiences in the College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP). CHSP IPE-designated experiences emphasize the development of IPE competencies for students in the health professions including communication, knowledge of roles and responsibilities, teamwork, and ethics.

Elective Courses

Two elective courses from an are required.

Students are encouraged to select electives that fit within their majors. Other courses that fit the elective description may be negotiated with the director of the certificate program.

To Apply

Complete the Qualtrics form at this link: 

For additional information, contact:

Debra McBride, MA
Assistant Director, Global Health Initiative
Grover Center E118
Athens, OH­ 45701
740.593.2359