Global Health, M.P.H.

Global health addresses the worldwide health needs of people living in developing countries and resource-poor immigrant communities here in the United States.

Health concerns in these populations include infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and STDs, or various chronic diseases related to aging populations, mental illness, war, famine and displacement.

At Saint Louis University, you can tailor your Master of Public Health experience to focus on global health. Our hands-on, team-based learning experience includes opportunities to work abroad with our partners around the globe or right here in diverse communities in St. Louis.

Program Highlights

SLU's strong job placement rates are based largely on its competencies-based training, collaborative faculty and team-based experience. SLU Master of Public Health students with a concentration in global health will:

• Assess major forces that influence the health of vulnerable populations from a global perspective
• Prioritize health programs for communicable and non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources
• Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate programs in low- and middle-income countries and in poor communities in the U.S. that provide health programs
• Respond to urgent health problems in low- and middle-income countries, including humanitarian crises and epidemics
• Plan programs, policies and/or specific interventions to improve health services or the health status of individuals and communities
• Effectively utilize the tools and channels of diplomacy to implement health programs across cultures and across borders
• Utilize appropriate cultural competency and communication skills via a mentored global health practice experience in a developing country

Curriculum Overview

Learn to research, understand and address worldwide health needs that transcend national boundaries, focusing especially on the needs of people living in developing countries and resource-poor immigrant communities here in the United States.

Students in SLU's M.P.H. global health concentration develop skills in intervention development and evaluation, implementation science and policy analysis. Joint concentrations with biosecurity and disaster preparedness, epidemiology and maternal child health are also available for just an additional six credits.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Among other topics, SLU's global health faculty are researching: 

• Community interventions to improve maternal and reproductive health
• HIV prevention
• Infectious disease prevention
• Impact of environmental pollutants on infant and child health
• Impact of microfinance on community health
• Policy development related to contamination of toxic metals
• Portable water filters for prevention of diarrheal disease
• Promoting evidence-based assessments and solution to environmental health problems
• Relationship between breastfeeding, infant sleep, and infant sleep arrangement

SLU's M.P.H. program is designed to give students the practical skills needed for any public health career. Over 50% of M.P.H. students work on research projects with faculty outside of a class requirement.

Students complete an internship after their first year of study to gain practical experience in their chosen career path. Students have interned in a variety of settings from local nonprofits to academic research centers, state and federal agencies, and multilateral institutions. Students work with the M.P.H internship coordinator and their faculty advisor to identify an appropriate internship in St. Louis, nationally, or across the globe.

Students with a concentration in global health have engaged in practice experiences at: 

• Microfinancing Partners for Africa (Uganda)
• FHI 360 (Nepal)
• Predisan (Honduras)
• Hillside Clinic (Belize)
• Belize 2020 (Belize)
• International HELP (United States)

Careers

Students with a master's degree in public health with a concentration in global health may find employment opportunities in a wide variety of settings, including:

• Disaster relief organizations
• Governmental agencies (United States Agency for International Development, in-country ministry of health, etc.)
• Immigrant or refugee health organizations
• In-country field consultants
• International agencies
• Lending agencies that do work in developing countries
• Multi-lateral agencies, such as the World Health Organization
• Other non-governmental agencies (NGOs)
• Research and academic institutions

SLU’s public health graduates are employed at federal, state and local health agencies; consulting firms; consumer advocacy organizations; community-based organizations and health care centers; hospitals; research centers; and universities.

Within the first year of graduation, the vast majority of SLU's M.P.H. graduates are beginning their careers, participating in fellowships or furthering their graduate education.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College for Public Health and Social Justice offers several ways to help finance graduate education.  Opportunities include a limited number of merit-based scholarships and graduate research assistantships.  Awards are made to applicants with the highest combinations of GPAs and test scores who complete their applications by the priority deadlines.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

The College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). 

View a PDF of the Most Recent CEPH Self-Study (July 2016)  

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

• Graduates will be able to apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
• Graduates will be able to select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
• Graduates will be able to analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.
• Graduates will be able to interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.

Public Health and Health Care Systems

• Graduates will be able to compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
• Graduates will be able to discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels.

Planning and Management to Promote Health

• Graduates will be able to assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
• Graduates will be able to apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
• Graduates will be able to design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
• Graduates will be able to explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
• Graduates will be able to select methods to evaluate public health programs.

Policy in Public Health

• Graduates will be able to discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
• Graduates will be able to propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
• Graduates will be able to advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
• Graduates will be able to evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.

Leadership

• Graduates will be able to apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making.
• Graduates will be able to apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community.

Communication

• Graduates will be able to select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
• Graduates will be able to communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
• Graduates will be able to describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.

Interprofessional Practice

• Graduates will be able to perform effectively on interprofessional teams.

Systems Thinking

• Graduates will be able to apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in a biomedical, social science, or closely-related field is preferred, but other majors will certainly be considered. Professional experience in a health-related field is highly valued. A minimal working proficiency in a language other than English is strongly recommended for individuals considering a career in global health.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until classes are full. Apply using the centralized application service SOPHAS. 

Review Process

All applicants are considered using a holistic application review process, including in-person, phone or Zoom interviews with faculty members in their intended concentration areas.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé/curriculum vitae
• Professional goal statement

Apply using the centralized application service SOPHAS.

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships. 
• Proof of financial support that must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
  • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
  • Practical laboratory work
  • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
  • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
  • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Program Requirements

Global Health Concentration

Global Health / Biosecurity & Disaster Preparedness Joint Concentration

Global Health / Epidemiology Joint Concentration

Global Health / Maternal and Child Health Joint Concentration

Non-course Requirements

International Experience

This requirement is met by completing PUBH 5910 Practice Experience in Public Health in a country that is not the student’s native country.  Note: students from developing countries may complete the practice experience in the U.S., another developed country, or their home country if approved by the Global Health Faculty Mentor.  Also, students with significant related international experience may be considered for an internship in the U.S.

Interagency Language Roundtable

Students not able to document this level of proficiency should undertake an immediate immersion-style language learning program.  Guidance and requests for self-assessment will be provided at Saint Louis University and monitored by Global Health staff and a graduate mentor.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Global Health Concentration

Global Health / Biosecurity & Disaster Preparedness Joint Concentration

Global Health / Epidemiology Joint Concentration

Global Health / Maternal and Child Health Joint Concentration

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Bernie Backer
Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions 
bernard.backer@slu.edu 
314-977-8144