Global Health Certificate – CTGLHG

Global Health Initiative
College of Health Sciences and Professions
Grover Center E118
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2359
globalhealth@ohio.edu or Dr. Zelalem Haile at haile@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Enrollment Eligibility: Current degree-seeking student or non-degree status

Certificate Overview

Recent pandemics (COVID-19, 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 nongovernmental agencies call for global health personnel. Professionals trained to address underserved populations are especially needed. Increased migration and disease proliferation require that healthcare providers, at home and abroad, become comfortable with different cultures, global health issues and diseases. Full-time students usually take one core course per term and can complete in four terms depending on their selection of electives. As some core courses are seven weeks in length, students can accelerate completion by taking two courses per term. 

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/global-health/graduate-certificate

Certificate Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of cultural, social, political, economic and environmental determinants of global health, global burden of disease and health disparities
2. Students will be able to evaluate and navigate the cultural and ethical considerations inherent in global health contexts, especially when working with vulnerable populations
3. Students will be able to analyze global health issues, policy, and health-delivery systems from multiple perspectives.

Opportunities upon Completion

As an add-on to other degrees and disciplines, the Global Health Certificate offers an additional skill set in understanding and evaluating cultural as well as global health issues and programming. Opportunities exist with educational, governmental and non-governmental organizations both domestically and internationally including immigrant/migrant health organizations, multi-lateral organizations (e.g. World Health Organization), disaster relief organizations, ministries of health, policy makers, funding organizations and clinical organizations. A national survey of recent Master of Global Health graduates conducted by USAID and the Consortium of University for Global Health (CUGH, 2018) showed that the most commonly cited current place of employment were schools of public health, not-for-profit/NGOs and other health-related educational institutions. The top reported job duties were project management; educational services to students and/or research; clinical health services to patients or clients; research/other; consultation services to agencies or institutions; educational community organizational training; social service to patients or clients and communications/marketing. 

Admission Requirements

The Certificate program will accept students in two categories: (1) those who have been admitted to an advanced-degree program at Ohio University and (2) those who possess a bachelor’s or advanced degree but are not currently in a degree program at Ohio University.

1) Students who have already been admitted to an advanced degree program at Ohio University (degree-seeking graduate students). 

• Complete an Application for Update of Graduate Academic Program. This application can be obtained online or in person from the Graduate College. The certificate code is CTGLHG.
• The completed application, including the signature of an advisor (if applicable) should be submitted to the Global Health Initiative in Grover E118 or emailed to Debra McBride (mcbrided@ohio.edu (opens in a new window)) to obtain the certificate director signature.
• After the certificate director has signed the form, it will be sent to the Graduate College for processing.

2) To apply for the certificate program as a non-degree student 

• Submit a non-degree application using code ND9855 to the Graduate College. Admission requirements include the following: 
  • 4-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university/college or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution 
  • Ability to manage graduate studies as evidenced by undergraduate performance, current professional responsibilities, and/or similar criteria. 

International Students

This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program alone.

Completion Requirements

The Global Health Certificate is a 15-credit hour program that offers a unique inter-professional opportunity for graduate students interested in gaining a global perspective on healthcare. Upon applying for conferral, students must contact the program coordinator for verification of completion and the awarding of the certificate.