Certificate in Global Public Health
NOTE: The conversion of the Global Health Program Curriculum to an official Certificate in Global Public Health received campus approval in February 2024 and is pending Board of Trustees approval with implementation effective fall 2024.
The Certificate in Global Public Health provides MPH and MS students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to confront and successfully address emerging global health problems. Students are prepared for international careers in government, health care agencies, industry, and academic institutions. Foreign students will be prepared to return to their home countries and work in health ministries, international governmental agencies and other health care organizations.
Fall and spring admissions are offered for the Certificate in Global Public Health. The deadline for admission to the in the fall is October 1st and the deadline for admission in the spring is February 1st. Students will apply separately to an MPH or MS degree and to the Certificate in Global Public Health. With proper planning, the Certificate in Global Public Health can be completed alongside the MPH Professional Enhancement Program (PEP), MPH Comprehensive Program, or the MS Program.
As part of the Certificate in Global Public Health, MPH students complete a global applied practice experience. MS students complete a global health research thesis.
Global health student success over the past five years Heading link
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59 students engaged in international experiences.
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$128,000 in scholarships awarded to students to support international collaboration and travel.
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87 % of Global Health students were employed within two years.
About the Global Applied Practice Experience
Application Information and Program Requirements Heading link
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How to apply to the program
To apply:
- Complete an application form
- An update resume
- Statement of interest (1-2 paragraphs explaining why you are interested in pursuing the certificate)
Please combine all application materials into one PDF and submit to kpartyka@uic.edu.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: October 1
Spring Semester: February 1Once admitted to a master’s program at the School of Public Health, students can apply for the Certificate in Global Public Health. With proper planning, the program can be completed alongside MPH Professional Enhancement programs, MPH comprehensive programs and Master of Science programs.
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Required and Elective Courses
All students in the Certificate in Global Public Health must complete the following courses:
- IPHS 409 (Fall) – Global Public Health Challenges (3 semester hours)
- IPHS 410 (Spring) – Global Public Health Solutions (3 semester hours)
- Elective (3 semester hours): the global health elective will be chosen from a wide range of courses that will deepen the knowledge of challenges and skills required to address public health problems globally. Electives must be approved by a staff/faculty sub-committee. Here is a list of pre-approved electives: Global Health Elective Course Options.
There are likely courses, within SPH or in other schools, that could qualify as Global Health Electives but have not yet been submitted or reviewed by the committee. If you feel there is a course that should be included in this listing, you must submit a Global Health Elective Petition. Courses not listed as Global Health Elective options will not be counted toward this requirement, unless a petition is submitted and accepted. For more information on this petition process, please contact Keith Partyka at kpartyka@uic.edu or 312-355-3219.
Please note: IPHS 409 and IPHS 410 do not need to be taken sequentially.
Applied Practice and Integrative Learning Experiences
MPH students must complete the following:
- IPHS 650 – Applied Practice Experience (0-5 semester hours)
- IPHS 698 – Integrative Learning Experience (1 semester hour)
Please note: both the Applied Practice Experience and Integrative Learning Experience must have a global health focus. For example, working with an international NGO, a global health agency, or an ethnic community in the U.S.
Students taking the Certificate in Global Public Health are encouraged to complete an international Applied Practice Experience/Integrative Learning Experience or to identify an appropriate alternative. The latter choice includes working with an international NGO, a global health agency, or an ethnic community in the U.S. Students should consult with their divisional Applied Practice Experience coordinator when arranging the Applied Practice Experience/Integrative Learning Experience.
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Required and Elective Courses
All students in the Certificate in Global Public Health must complete the following courses:
- IPHS 409 (Fall) – Global Public Health Challenges (3 semester hours)
- IPHS 410 (Spring) – Global Public Health Solutions (3 semester hours)
- Elective (3 semester hours): the global health elective will be chosen from a wide range of courses that will deepen the knowledge of challenges and skills required to address public health problems globally. Electives must be approved by a staff/faculty sub-committee. Here is a list of pre-approved electives: Global health elective course options.There are likely courses, within SPH or in other schools, that could qualify as Global Health Electives but have not yet been submitted or reviewed by the committee. If you feel there is a course that should be included in this listing, you must submit a Global Health Elective Petition. Courses not listed as Global Health Elective options will not be counted toward this requirement, unless a petition is submitted and accepted.For more information on this petition process, please contact Keith Partyka at kpartyka@uic.edu or 312-355-3219.
Please note: IPHS 409 and IPHS 410 do not need to be taken sequentially.
Research Requirement
- IPHS 598 – Research in Public Health Sciences – MS (0-16 semester hours)
Please note: the research thesis must focus on a global health related topic outside of the U.S. (or domestically through an appropriate venue). Thesis hours will vary by division.
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About PEP Student Requirements
With permission from their advisor, PEP MPH students with prior international experience suitable for their division have the option of petitioning the Committee on Academic Progress to waive the Applied Practice Experience or undertaking the internship. If the internship is waived, students in the program must complete an additional 3 semester hours elective in global health.