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.
About the Program
Your Global Health Journey Starts with Georgetown
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.
Why Choose This Program?
- 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
Program Internships
The program emphasizes internship experience at the community, national, and international levels:
During the fall of their senior year, Global Health students have the option to undertake a policy or field-based research study for a full semester abroad, gaining firsthand knowledge of health issues faced by other countries, cultures, and populations. Internship sites have included Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. From 2003 to 2020, more than 300 students have participated in this transformational experience abroad.
Either during the fall (if students elect to stay on campus during their senior year) or spring of their senior year (for those students who spend the fall abroad), Global Health students complete an internship in a global health or international organization in the Washington area.
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)
Student Experience
“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.”
— Shreya Arora (SOH’24), global health major on the pre-med track
“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.”
— Doha Maaty (SOH’23)
“There’s been so many interesting speakers and topics discussed in many of my courses. I love the intersectionality of the field and the many different aspects that global health touches on — mental health, demographics, health economics, and sustainable development, just to name a few.”
— Lara Adekunle (NHS’22)
Alumni Outcomes
Alumni pursue graduate or medical degrees, enter the workforce, or participate in service efforts in the United States and abroad. Graduates work in epidemiology, law, medicine, policy, and public health.
Some examples:
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Harvard School of Medicine
- London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
- University of North Carolina School of Public Health
- Teach for America
- Deloitte Consulting
- University of Michigan School of Public Health
- United States Agency for International Development.
Program Admissions
Application Deadlines
Early Action – November 1, 2021
Regular Decision – January 10, 2022
Transfer – March 1, 2022
Accelerated Master’s Track
The Accelerated Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH) Degree Program allows qualified students in Georgetown’s BS in Global Health Program to complete both a BS and MS in Global Health in five years of study.
The program allows students to take two MSGH classes in their senior year, and to double count up to two classes towards both degrees. Students will maintain their undergraduate status, and graduate from their BS at the end of their fourth year. In the fifth year, students will be graduate students and take MSGH core courses culminating in a semester abroad conducting field research in a low- or middle-income country.
BS students must apply to the MSGH Program by January 15 of their junior year and must have a GPA greater than 3.5 to be eligible. Interested students should consult their advisor early in their junior year. Contact us to find out more globalhealthms@georgetown.edu.
Current Students
Schedule a meeting with your academic dean or visit our student resources page for academic calendars and other information.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty members in the department are both academic researchers and global health practitioners, creating a vibrant learning community for students that combines practice, science, and theory.