Global Health Epidemiology
The Global Health Epidemiology (GHE) concentration provides the technical skills, as well as international context and values of collaborative practice, that will allow them to work as epidemiologists in any setting, domestic or global. The GHE concentration is highly interdisciplinary, providing theory, methods and practice training in the health and applied social sciences. Epidemiology faculty have ongoing research collaborations in countries throughout the world, including Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Israel, Malawi, and Mexico. Topics related to these collaborations include cancer, chronic disease, drug-resistance, nutritional determinants of maternal/child health, reproductive health, social determinants of health, urban health, vaccine surveillance, and water-borne and vector-borne diseases. Students in this concentration are required to complete their summer internship in a low or middle income country (LMIC) or in a governmental or non-governmental agency engaged in global health work. Demonstration of clear interest in global health is required. Prior global health experience is encouraged, but not required. Given that we have limited spaces available in our GHE track, interested students are also encouraged to apply to another track such as General Epidemiology (GE).
Curriculum and Program Requirements
The MPH degree in GHE is a 60-hour sequence of courses that are typically finished after four terms (two years). Required core courses are core epidemiology courses and core GHE courses, including Introduction to International Health, Field Methods in Epidemiology in Developing Countries, and Research Seminar in International Health. In addition, students will complete elective courses and complete an international internship and an internationally-focused capstone project.
View Competencies and Learning Objectives
Epidemiology Core Requirements
| Courses | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Biostats 522 Biostatistical Analysis for Health-Related Studies | 3 |
Winter 1 |
| EPID 600 Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 | Fall1 |
| EPID 602 Data Analysis for Epid Study Design | 3 | Winter 1 |
| EPID 639 R for Epidemiologic Research | 2 | Fall 1 |
| EPID 667 Professionalism Practice and Communication 1 | 1 | Fall 1 |
| EPID 668 Professionalism Practice and Communication 2 | 1 | Winter 1 |
| EPID 669 Professionalism Practice and Communication 3 | 1 | Fall 2 |
| EPID 670 Integrated Problem Solving in Epidemiology 1 | 3 | Fall 2 |
| EPID 671 Integrated Problem Solving in Epidemiology 2 | 3 | Winter 2 |
| Summer Internship (1 credit for every 84 hours worked) | 2-6 | Summer |
| Elective graduate level courses taken to achieve 60 credits |
GHE Core Requirements
| Courses | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|
| EPID 506 Health of Nations: Introduction to International Health | 3 | Fall |
| EPID 664 Field Methods in Global Health Epidemiology | 3 | Winter |
|
Electives (See Handbook) |
In addition to coursework relevant to their chosen concentration, all students in the epidemiology masters program must complete the School of Public Health’s Core Curriculum. Please see concentration pages, linked above, for additional information on concentration-specific prerequisites and curriculum.
| Courses | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|
| PUBHLTH 500 Investigating Public Health Issues | 6 | Fall 1 |
| PUBHLTH 501 Developing Public Health Solutions | 6 | Winter 1 |
Internship Opportunities
The goal of the GHE internship is for students to gain exposure to public health outside the US. Global Health Epidemiology internships normally take place during the summer semester after the first year of training and are typically 8-12 weeks long.
Students are responsible for arranging their own internships. Support and resources are provided through the Department (internship coordinator, track leaders, faculty members) and the Michigan Public Health Career Development Office. EPID 667 and EPID 668 (Professionalism Practice and Communication) will offer strategies and instruction on how to locate an internship.
GHE MPH students receive financial support for their internship from one or more of the following sources:
- Grants/scholarships the School of Public Health
- Research assistantships from faculty research grants
- Smaller scholarships and internship support for the Office for Global Public Health, the International Institute, and other centers within the University of Michigan.
If you are unable to secure sufficient funding for your internship from these other sources, you may apply to the department of Epidemiology for financial support.
Contact Us
For more information about the admissions process, email our Epidemiology Admissions team at epidadmissions@umich.edu or schedule an appointment to talk with an Epidemiology Admissions Coordinator.
Ready to Apply?
Learn more about our application requirements and deadlines and start your application today. If you’re not ready to apply yet, but would like to receive more information about Michigan Public Health and the program(s) you’re interested in, join our prospective student interest list.
Get to Know More About GHE
Our Faculty
Serving, Leading, and Healing: Odysseys through the Desert and Beyond
Matthew L. Boulton
Our Students/Alumni
Epidemiology student is an emerging leader in Global Health
Allison Baumgartner
Internship in Kenya enriches Global Health Epidemiology personal journey
Christopher Floyd, BS ’21, MPH ’24
