The graduate Certificate in Global Health Studies requires 18 s.h. of study. Students must earn at least 12 s.h. of credit for the certificate in courses numbered 3000 or above taken at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 2.50 or higher in the 18 s.h. coursework required for the certificate.

The certificate is open to University of Iowa graduate and professional students. Students who wish to declare the global health studies certificate must contact the global health studies faculty advisor. Global health studies staff will see to it that the certificate is added to a student's program of study.

Work for the certificate includes required courses, electives, a global health project that culminates in a public presentation and written report, and the study of a world language. A maximum of 4 s.h. in GHS:4990 Independent Project in Global Health may be used toward the certificate.

Graduate and professional students who would like to count credit from a degree program toward the global health studies certificate should consult their graduate/professional academic programs.

The certificate program is interdisciplinary, and requires students to complete a global health project (either in an international setting or in a domestic setting that focuses on global connections) during which they address an important global health issue in a systematic way. Students then present their results and report on the completed project. The program helps prepare students for careers in global health.

The Certificate in Global Health Studies requires the following work.

Required Courses

Electives

Students complete 4 s.h. of approved electives chosen from courses offered by the Global Health Studies Program (prefix GHS) or associated courses offered by other departments and programs (see the following section titled "Associated Courses"). They may petition to use other courses as electives if they can demonstrate that the courses include substantial material related to global health. Contact the Global Health Studies Program for details.

Associated Courses

Global Health Project

Students must complete a global health project during which they systematically address an important global health issue. The project can be completed either in an international setting or in a domestic setting that focuses on global connections. Eight weeks is considered the optimal amount of time to meet this requirement. The project may be completed as part of a study abroad program, a service learning course, an internship, a volunteer experience, or an independent research project.

Projects require approval by the Global Health Studies Program faculty director and must be supervised by an approved UI faculty mentor. Students may apply for a Stanley Award; other financial support may be available for some projects. Visit Global Health Project on the program's website for more information.

Language Study

Students must either demonstrate fourth-semester-level language proficiency or complete the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement through any of the available pathways.

The Global Health Studies Program steering committee may advise students to take additional language study in preparation for a research or internship program. Students interested in learning an infrequently taught language to facilitate their participation in a global health project can contact the Center for Language and Culture Learning in the Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures.

Public Presentation and Report

Certificate requirements culminate in a public presentation and report. Students present the results of their global health project in GHS:3010 Social Science Approaches to Global Health or in an equivalent public forum. Students must also submit a 10–12 page report that summarizes their global health project. Students enroll in GHS:4990 Independent Project in Global Health for 1 s.h. during the semester in which they are completing their report and presentation.

Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.

Academics

University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.

Admissions

Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.

Financial Support

Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Global Health Studies, Graduate Certificate

a

Students complete 4 s.h. of approved electives. See the General Catalog for a list of approved courses.

b

GHS:3010 can be taken earlier in the plan to prepare for the global health project; meet with the GHS academic advisor to create an individualized plan of study.

c

Choose from GHS:3011, GHS:3030, GHS:3034, GHS:3035.

d

The global health project may be completed during any session after GHS:3010 and before the student's final session; it can be local or international. Meet with the GHS academic advisor to create an individualized plan of study.

e

See the Global Health Studies program website for details.