Best Online Master's Degrees in Global Health

Master's degree programs in global health are intended for social entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, and other health-related professionals who want to improve healthcare for people around the globe. The flexibility of this degree can help prepare students for a range of health-related positions, and typically with a master's degree, students can further advance their careers and take on more leadership roles. This commonly comes with a higher salary than the salary for those with a bachelor's degree in public health or another related area.

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Global Health?

Online master's degree programs in global health can be completed in 1 to 2 years. Some programs allow full-time students to finish in 1 year, while part-time students can complete their degree in 2 years. Other degrees, such as an MPH in the field, may split the difference and allow students to finish in 1.5 years. Other factors, such as transfer credit and course load, can also play a role in the time to degree completion.

While there are individual online courses in health education, health management, and other global health-related areas available, earning a full degree in the field can prepare students for advanced positions. These online master's programs in global health often require between 30 and 42 credits of coursework. Usually, the curriculum consists of core courses in the field and a culminating experience of some kind. Through their coursework, students explore multiple issues in global health, including urban health, maternal and child health, ethics, and more. Find out details concerning the curriculum below.

Global Health Foundational Courses

Students in master's programs in global health primarily take core courses in the field that examine foundational concepts, theories, and practices in global health. Faculty for these courses can work in multiple discipline areas, which greatly increases students' perspectives on the field of global health. Some of these courses provide introductions to major concepts, while others look at detailed practices in the field, such as evaluation and assessment of different areas. While the specific course title varies from program to program, master's students in global health are likely to take courses in areas such as:

• Global health ethics
• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Global health management
• Research methods
• Global health community assessment
• Health systems policy analysis
• Global health and technology
• Introduction to global health practices
• Issues in global health

Global Health Specialist & Elective Courses

Many master's degree programs in global health do not offer elective courses, but have students fulfill core course requirements. Some programs offer an individual elective that students can take in place of an optional global course that takes place abroad to provide students with practical experience on a global scale. Several of these master's programs also conclude with a capstone course or practicum experience for hands-on learning and the chance to apply what knowledge was gained throughout the program.

Licensure & Certification in Global Health

Licensure and certification requirements for global health professionals vary by position. Generally, students take on various health-related positions that work with global organizations, such as health educators or health services managers at an international organization or abroad. Health educators, for example, could be required to earn the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Professionals need to meet the education requirements and pass an exam to earn initial certification and then complete continuing education to maintain it. There are several different certifications available for medical and health services managers that are based on position. For instance, those in office management can earn certification from the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management, while those in health information management can earn certification from the American Health Information Management Association.

Students planning on applying to online master's degree programs in global health need to hold at least a bachelor's degree, but this degree can usually be in any field. Some programs require applicants to meet a minimum GPA requirement, typically of a 2.5 or higher, and several of these online programs do not require students to take the GRE and submit their test scores. However, international students still need to submit English proficiency test scores. It is fairly common for applicants to these master's programs to submit several different forms of writing. For instance, students commonly need to include a statement of purpose, objectives, and/or a writing sample with their application. Applicants are also generally required to include their transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume with their application.

When selecting a school and program, students should first consider what kind of online master's program in global health they want to pursue. In general, an MPH in the field may require more credit hours than an MS in the field, which can take longer to complete. Depending on their situation, some working students may need to find part-time program options. Once students have chosen what kind of degree they want, they can begin comparing programs and the different learning opportunities they offer. Those who want more hands-on experience from an online program can find programs that offer global courses abroad or those that include practicum experiences for real-world experience. Finally, some master's programs in global health hold additional program-level accreditation that can stand out to employers. These programs could be accredited by groups such as the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Some students may also need to consider school-related factors, including tuition rates, academic support, and financial aid.

There is a wide range of available careers for graduates with a master's degree in global health. Students can work in a variety of settings, including disaster relief, medical research, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Department for International Development (DFID), and more. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, students can also take on positions in related subject areas, such as entry-level jobs in public health or environmental health. Students can take on jobs as environmental health technicians or become a public health inspector. Graduates can also move into positions working for international organizations or abroad. Some additional job titles could include:

• Global health educator
• Medical and health services manager
• Policy analyst
• Global health program manager
• Researcher

Job Outlook for a Master's in Global Health

The job outlook for graduates with a master's in global health is positive. Graduates should have good job prospects as this degree qualifies them for multiple positions in various health-related areas. In general, the need for quality health care and solving various health-related issues around the world is growing, which can also help increase the demand for graduates. Although job outlooks vary by position and a number of factors, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported higher than average job outlooks for several positions that graduates with their master's in global health may pursue. For instance, the job outlook for health education specialists is 11% from 2019 to 2029. The job outlook for medical and health services managers is even higher at 32% for the decade.

How to Become a Health Educator

Health educators usually have to have at least a bachelor's degree, which is typically in areas such as health education or health promotion. However, some positions may require a master's degree, or educators may choose to pursue a master's to help them focus on a specific area in the field. For example, students could pursue a master's in global health, community health education, or school health education. Depending on the position, these educators could be required to earn the CHES credential or a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) credential for advanced health educators.

Health educators work to understand the health needs and issues of their communities or the people they work with and then plan strategies to address these issues. They will often develop programs and educational material to help inform the public about these health issues. To implement these programs, health educators must promote the event, recruit and train community health workers, and collect data on the effectiveness of the program. As of 2020, the BLS stated that health education specialists made a median annual salary of $56,500.

How to Become a Medical and Health Services Manager

Medical and health services managers include an array of positions, such as healthcare administrators, health information managers, clinical managers, healthcare executives, and more. Typically, these managers have to have at least a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree is very common in the field and sometimes preferred. Usually, medical and health services managers need a degree that is focused on both management and healthcare. They may pursue professional certification in their given area of work.

Medical and health services managers have a range of job duties that vary based on their position. In general, these managers are responsible for overseeing staff and addressing big-picture issues and goals in their office, department, organization, or facility. They also usually monitor finances, maintain various kinds of records, help train staff, and communicate with other managers in the organization. Making sure that their staff and procedures are all complying with current laws and regulations is another big responsibility. Per the BLS, as of 2020, the median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $104,280.

Applicants to online master's programs in global health usually do not need to have a bachelor's degree from any particular subject area. However, those interested in global health are likely interested in health-related fields and could hold a bachelor's degree in areas such as public health, environmental health and safety, healthcare management, and other related areas. Other students could have medical training and work as nurses or other healthcare professionals. Some students could even have a background in a business-related area, such as management.

Students wanting to further their education and pursue careers in research and academia may decide to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Health. These are typically on-campus programs, but some programs may offer distance courses and in-person residencies a few times a year. Some doctoral programs can be completed in as few as 3 years, and students in the program usually further develop their leadership skills in global health.

Financial aid is a great way for online master's students in global health to help reduce the out-of-pocket cost of earning their degree. Aid comes in a variety of forms, including federal and state loans and grants that students can earn by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Many companies, organizations, and other groups provide scholarships or grants for students in their local area or those involved in particular areas of study, interest, or talents.

Often, schools that offer master's programs in global health will also provide a number of ways to lower the cost of earning a degree for students. On-campus students could have the additional option of teaching and research assistant positions, but most of the time, online students can still apply for merit- or financial need-based awards. Some programs may even offer discounts for online students. For example, students entering Drexel University's online MS in Global Health for the Fall of 2021 are eligible for a 50% reduction in tuition if they are alumni, military families, or associates of partner organizations.