Applications for the Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health will open in January 2027, with a selective application review to follow. Sign up to receive updates when applications open.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health is a transcriptable certificate offered through the Global Health Studies Program in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. It is open to students from all academic majors. The certificate is designed to complement a wide range of disciplines by providing foundational knowledge and applied perspectives in global health. Students explore the history, values, and functions of global health and how travel, trade, and other aspects of globalization contribute to health, disease, and health disparities. Students will examine the connections between human health and environmental health, including considerations of water, sanitation, air quality, urbanization, and ecosystem health. Students learn to apply an interdisciplinary or interprofessional lens to evaluating policies and interventions aimed at addressing major population health concerns and achieving health equity.
The certificate is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the undergraduate certificate may also be used to satisfy bachelor’s degree requirements.
Introduction to Global Health covers foundational topics such as global health transitions, priorities, and the One Health perspective, as well as interprofessional collaboration, health as a human right, and the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health. Throughout the course, students engage with real-world case studies and global data while building skills in critical thinking and data interpretation, from early missteps in the COVID-19 response to mental health challenges, environmental justice issues, and natural disasters.
Introduction to global health research methods, concepts, and practices.
This undergraduate course provides students with an introduction to global health research methods, concepts, and practices. Students will explore quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, along with participatory research techniques and ethical considerations essential for conducting global health research. Through global health-related case studies and practical exercises, students will learn to apply these methods to real-world health challenges, fostering skills in analysis, community engagement and effective dissemination of research findings.
The concept of One Health recognizes that human health is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to the foundational principles of One Health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing complex global health challenges. Through case studies and real-world examples, students will explore how collaborative, multisectoral approaches can prevent and manage zoonotic and other emerging diseases, promote sustainable ecosystems, and strengthen global health security and equity. The course serves as a gateway to understanding the importance of integrated thinking in health science, policy and practice.
MSU semester dates, including exam dates, are available on the MSU academic calendar. Students should refer to their respective course syllabi to determine specific exam times.
Wendi Winston (winst106@msu.edu)