Graduate Certificate

Curriculum

Required Courses:

OST 822 - Introduction to Global Health Practice

Differences in national models of healthcare delivery, issues of social justice and human rights principles, and strategies to engage marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Students will learn about important milestones in the history of global health; roles and relationships of major entities influencing global health and development; different national models or health systems for provision of healthcare and their respective effects on health and healthcare expenditures; how global trends in healthcare practice, commerce and culture, multinational agreements and multinational organizations contribute to the quality and availability of health and healthcare locally and internationally; general trends and influences in the global availability and movement of healthcare workers; the healthcare workforce crisis in the developing world, contributing factors and strategies to address this problem; social justice and human rights principles in addressing global problem problems; how cultural context influences perceptions of health and disease; and personal motivations and roles in global health practice.

Select two of the following courses:

OST 821 - One Health: Transdisciplinary Collaborations to Global Health

Transdisciplinary collaboration amongst different animal health, human health, and non-health specialists to solve problems at the interface of people, animals, and their environment.

Students will learn about the One Health framework approach, including its history, theoretical issues, added value and application to global health, and the relationship between access to quality and security of water, sanitation, food and air on animal and human health. The One Health approach will be used to assess and analyze various human, animal and environmental global health and well-being issues. Students will also learn to recognize contributions and added value of transdisciplinary teams in solving One Health issues; the role and added value of social sciences, economics and communications in One Health and how the approach can aid in translating science into policy.

OST 823 - Global Burden of Disease

Major causes of, types of, and efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality around the world. Techniques for monitoring and validating the health status of populations.

Students will learn about major causes of morbidity and mortality around the world and how the risk for disease varies with regions; major public health efforts to reduce disparities in global health; how to validate the health status of populations using available data; major social and economic determinants of health and their effects on the access to, and quality of, health services and on differences in morbidity and mortality between and within countries; contribution of animal health and disease to the global burden of human disease and the impact of environmental degradation on the global burden of human and animal disease.

OST 831 - Evidence-Based Practice in Global Health

Critical appraisal of scientific studies of global health interventions.

Students will learn about evidence-based program planning and evaluation, including evidence-based decision-making, composing a valid research statement, collecting and evaluating data and evidence to answer research questions, critiquing evidence for importance and validity in a global health context, and interpreting and evaluating evidence presented in the scientific literature.

OST 832 - Independent Study in United States Health Systems

Independent study in areas relevant to the United States health systems.

Program Cost

Tuition is $995 per credit. Additional fees may apply.*

Total certificate cost at 9 credits is $8,955.

Financial aid may be available, particularly for domestic applicants pursuing the Master of Science in Global Health. Financial aid is not available for the certificate program. Additional information may be found by visiting the MSU Financial Aid website.

*MSU reserves the right to make changes in types, structures, and rates for tuition and fees. Additionally, the amounts listed on this site reflect the current tuition rate only and do not take into account any additional university fees that may apply. For the most up-to-date information on tuition costs and related fees, please refer to the Student Accounts section of the MSU Controller's Office website.

Program Benefits

100% Online	Transfer Credits	Experienced Faculty
Complete your Graduate Certificate in Global Health 100% online in as little as one year.	Apply your Global Health Graduate Certificate credits toward the Master of Science in Global Health degree.	Learn from global health practitioners and researchers.

Admission Requirements

The Global Health Studies program is currently waiving its application fee. The waiver is not automatically applied, so it is important to follow the steps outlined below to qualify.

1. Send an email to globalhealth@msu.edu. The subject line should indicate that it is an application waiver request and must include your last name. The email content should include:
   1. Application ID number
   2. First and Last Name
2. Upload all application materials into the admissions application system.
   1. Select "review" at the end of the application.
   2. Ignore the pop-up window indicating payment is required and the notification that the application will not be submitted. The program office can see that the application has been submitted and will process a waiver on your behalf. It is important that the applicant does not pay the fee themselves, as application fees are non-refundable.

Required Materials

1. Bachelor, Professional, or Equivalent Degree

• The degree must be from an accredited college or university.
• One official copy of all records of previous education (mark sheets, transcripts, diplomas, certificates, etc.) must be submitted directly from each institution via the National Student Clearinghouse or other secure transcript service. Transcripts submitted by the applicant will not be considered official.
• Records must show courses and grades earned.

International Applicant Additional Requirements

• All documents must be translated into English if the original records are in another language. If a document is translated, it must be certified as accurate and correct by an appropriate public or school official, or government or sponsoring agency. The original records should be also be included.
• Both the official transcript and an attested copy of the diploma must be included.
• International transcripts may not be submitted electronically. Only official documents within sealed envelopes from the issuing institutions will be accepted. Documents must be sent directly from the institution and cannot be delivered via the applicant.

Submission Instructions

Domestic: Applications should be sent electronically from the institution to the MSU Global Health Studies Office email (globalhealth@msu.edu). Most domestic institutions can now submit documents electronically; however, if a domestic institution does not participate in electronic transcript verification, it should send hard copies to the address listed for international applications below.  

International: Applications must be sent via mail to the address below. It is strongly encouraged that the applicant obtain a tracking number for the parcel.

MSU Global Health Studies Program
Michigan State University
Attn: Wendi Winston
909 Wilson Rd, Room 424A
East Lansing, MI 48824

2. Two Letters of Reference

• Two professional references are required. Personal references will not be accepted.
• Letters should address the applicant's:
  • Work ethic
  • Leadership qualities
  • Professional/academic capabilities
  • Ability to be successful in the completion of graduate-level work
  • Any additional information, including accomplishments

Submission Instructions

• Within the application system, the applicant is asked to provide the email addresses of those they wish to request letters of recommendation. The application system automatically sends a request to the recommender via email, which will include instructions for submitting the letter.
• Letters submitted by an applicant will not be accepted.
  It is advised that the applicant reach out to the potential recommenders before entering their email addresses. This allows them to confirm their willingness to write the letter and lets them know they will be receiving an email.
• The applicant will receive notification that a letter has been submitted, but will not be able to see the letter.

3. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0

• A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required (demonstrated via official transcripts - see the Bachelor, Professional or Equivalent Degree section.)
  • Applicants who do not meet this requirement should address their concerns and any extenuating circumstances within the Personal Statement. They may also provide documents describing work experience, references, etc., for further evaluation.
  • Applicants not meeting the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA requirement may be admitted provisionally. This could be a requirement of taking one course per semester for a designated period of time to demonstrate ability. Provisional acceptance does not qualify for federal financial aid.

Personal Statement

Applicants are expected to complete a personal statement that addresses each of the following aspects. Responses should be no longer than 500 words and should be thoughtful and detailed.

• Why are you interested in global health?
• What are your career goals following graduation, and how will a degree in global health help you meet those goals?
• What additional information would you like to share in consideration for admission?

Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 should also include an explanation for the lower GPA and any additional information to demonstrate their capability to excel in a master's degree program.

Submission Instructions

The personal statement is submitted by the applicant by uploading it into the Personal Statement section as a .doc or .pdf file.

4. Resume or CV

A current resume or CV is required and must be submitted by the applicant by uploading it into the application system as a .doc or .pdf file.

5. English Language Proficiency Exam (International Students Only)

If English is not the applicant's first language, an English language proficiency examination is required. Information regarding English language competency requirements is available through the MSU Graduate School.

Admissions Cycle

MSU follows a 3-semester annual cycle. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for both the Master of Science in Global Health and the Graduate Certificate in Global Health each semester.

Application Deadlines

• Spring Admission: December 1
• Summer Admission: April 1
• Fall Admission: July 1

Upcoming Semester Dates

MSU semester dates can be found on the MSU academic calendar. Students should refer to their respective course syllabi for the exact course dates.