Description
The PhD program in Global Health builds on the expertise of our faculty in the areas of Metrics and Implementation Science. This unique, interdisciplinary program is comprised of a core curriculum in advanced quantitative methods, epidemiology, population health measurement, impact evaluations and implementation science methods. Students develop skills through a combination of didactic courses, seminars and research activities including primary data collection and analysis. This program trains global health researchers for careers in academic institutions, international organizations, Ministries of Health, foundations, and the private sector.
Likely Careers
Upon graduation, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills required to make meaningful and innovative contributions to the field of global health. This program trains global health researchers for careers in academic institutions, international organizations, Ministries of Health, foundations, and the private sector.
Applying
The Department of Global Health attracts national and international students who wish to pursue a long-term career in global health. Applicants may enter the program with a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum two years of experience within the field of health or quantitative disciplines. It is highly desirable that applicants have prior Master-level training or have significant experience working in the global health field, ideally in a low resource setting. The degree is also appropriate for individuals who possess an MD, RN, DVM, DDS, PhD, or JD degree who seek a career in public health practice or academia.
Concurrent Option: PhD/MD
Application Deadline: Dec. 1 for Autumn Quarter entry
Competencies
Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD in Global Health, graduates will be able to:
- Discuss and evaluate the major issues confronting global health, including their levels and trends, their determinants, and their effect on individual and populations;
- Describe, evaluate and apply the methods and metrics used in the Global Burden of Disease Study and alternative summary measures of population health;
- Develop in-depth skills to design, implement, monitor and/or evaluate health programs and health systems, including their inputs, outputs, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and financial management;
- Describe the biology of major global health diseases, and differentiate among the pathogenesis of diseases, infectious disease transmission modes, genetic susceptibility, nutritional concepts and the biological basis of major biomedical public health interventions;
- Explain and assess the functions, operations, processes and performance of health systems, including critical decision-making and priority-setting mechanisms;
- Analyze, explain and assess the role of global institutions, international non-governmental organizations and major funders and review their impact on global health;
- Identify and differentiate the principles of financing in global health and health systems at the macro-level and the micro-level;
- Critically appraise the current literature, evaluate the evidence, synthesize findings, draw inferences, and apply theoretical and conceptual models from a range of relevant disciplines to global health;
- Effectively collect, collate, synthesize, analyze and assess the quality of global health data, including primary and secondary data from health information systems and a variety of other sources;
- Acquire qualitative, quantitative, operations research and modeling skills and apply them to developing new innovative solutions for global health problems;
- Ensure the ethical and responsible conduct of research in the design, implementation and dissemination of global health research;
- Develop culturally-relevant professional leadership skills to work collaboratively, and to motivate and inspire others to help solve global health problems;
- Conduct independent research that is of publishable quality and is characterized by conceptual and methodological rigor, as well as practical value, and which demonstrates expertise in global health research;
- Critically appraise grants and participate in the grant writing and review process;
- Effectively communicate research findings and their implications to appropriate academic, professional, policy, and lay audiences; and
- Demonstrate skills critical to teaching and mentoring.