Global Public Health

Global Public Health

The Global Public Health (GPH) Concentration focuses on the science and art of protecting and promoting the health of populations. Where doctors deal with the health of individuals, public health agencies—governments, NGOs, researchers, activists—deal with the health of communities, regions, and nations. 

Concentration Overview

Any student interested in moderating into GPH should contact Coordinator Helen Epstein to discuss their plans.
  • Curriculum
    Public health specialists work on diverse problems such as access to medical care, disease prevention, and the social, political, and economic determinants of health. The field is particularly concerned with preventing health problems before they arise and overcoming disparities in health, with special consideration for disadvantaged groups. Practitioners of public health can choose to focus on research, education, intervention, policy making, or some combination of these areas.
  • Moderation Requirements
    GPH students are required to take a total of six courses, three at the 300-level or above. To moderate into the concentration, students must have taken two courses that fulfill GPH requirements. Normally, Moderation into GPH happens alongside the student’s Moderation into their primary program. In addition to the course requirements, students must write a one-page plan of study that describes their interest in GPH and details plans for future coursework, study abroad and/or away, and the Senior Project.
  • Coursework
    All GPH students are required to take: Human Rights 223, Epidemics and Society; at least one health-related course; at least one biology course; at least one international relations and development course and at least one statistics course. In addition, students must take at least one elective, chosen in consultation with a GPH faculty member, that provides greater depth in one of the areas above and will, ideally, inform the Senior Project.

Our Faculty

Coordinator: Helen Epstein

Brooke Jude
Felicia Keesing
Michael Martell
Michelle Murray
Frank M. Scalzo
Michael Tibbetts