About the Program
Students in Western Australia during their global health practice and research experiential learning course
The Bachelor of Science in Global Health is a four-year program that blends public health and health systems management with an emphasis on how the environment, culture, economics, and politics affect the health status of whole populations. The program, one of the few of its kind in the nation, provides students with dynamic and transformational educational opportunities in the United States and abroad. From 2003 to present, more than 300 students have taken part in the program’s innovative, semester-long research practicum abroad for seniors.
Unique Program Features
- The program exposes students to the fields of international affairs, health science, public health, and health systems management
- Grounded in Catholic, Jesuit values, including cura personalis, care of the whole person
- Opportunities for hands-on learning and credit-bearing research experience locally, nationally, and abroad
- Internship experience at the community, national, and international levels
- Taps the extensive resources of international and non-governmental organizations based in Washington, D.C.
- A strong emphasis on service learning
- Pre-med and study abroad opportunities
The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased attention and opportunities in global public health. The global health program is well-positioned at the forefront of this work.
Jennifer Huang Bouey, Associate Professor, Department Chair
Why Choose This Program?
What Our Students Say
Shreya Arora (H’24)
“I knew Georgetown’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and the breadth of courses offered through the global health major would enable me to develop a holistic approach to addressing health inequities.”
Read More About Shreya’s Experience
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Doha Maaty (H’23)
“I always know that my professors are willing to talk to me and discuss academic, professional, or even personal matters and help positively guide me.”
Read More About Doha’s Experience
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John Chow (H’26)
“The global health major is uniquely positioned to dismantle disciplinary walls and geographic boundaries in service of civic-minded, holistic and culturally situated engagements with health at local and global scales.”
Experiential Learning
Chiapas, Mexico
Senior Year Experiential Learning
For the entire fall semester of their senior year, students complete Global Health Research and Practice: An Experiential Learning Course, with placements currently offered in Tanzania, Ghana, Mexico, Bangladesh, Japan, Australia, Peru, Alaska and West Virginia.
Student Volunteer Research Assistantships
Faculty conduct independent research projects on which students can volunteer to assist.
Learn More About the Student Experience in the Global Health Program
Student Testimonials
“My semester abroad played a vital role in igniting my passion for global health. More importantly, it instilled a greater sensitivity and awareness of health and economic disparities across the world. My semester abroad played a formative role in both my career choice and personal philanthropy.” (Global Health Internship Abroad, Ghana, 2006)
“Every day during my practical experience abroad, my perceptions of Tanzania, international development, public health, and really the continent as a whole were challenged, torn down, and built anew. I personally witnessed the challenges and hardships Tanzanians go through that I’d only read and studied about in the classroom prior. It was also a time of personal reflection, making me realize the amount of untapped potential and opportunities for the advancement of Africa.” (Global Health Internship Abroad, Tanzania, 2015)
Admissions
Application Deadlines
Early Action – November 1
Regular Decision – January 10
Transfer – March 1
Current Students
Honors Program
Honors in Global Health recognizes those Global Health students who pursue a high level of independent research (i.e., archival, community, epidemiological) during their undergraduate years culminating in a senior honors thesis concurrent with the pursuit of a Global Health major. The purpose of this program is to permit students of high academic achievement to enjoy greater responsibility and initiative in their major work.
Writing in the Major
For a successful and productive career in global health, undergraduate students must learn to think critically and communicate effectively. This includes being able to formulate good questions, find information that will inform your question, evaluate the source of the information, synthesize and analyze the information, and present your findings to different audiences (e.g. scientific audiences, policymakers, program implementers, lay audiences, etc.). Modes of communication that you are expected to master during your four years at Georgetown include, but are not limited to, oral presentations, literature reviews, research papers, journal articles, proposals, policy briefs, professional blogs, social media posts, and opinion pieces.