In this program, you’ll gain the foundational knowledge and practical skills for impactful global health work. Through coursework that engages global health partners and the applied internship, you’ll engage with critical health issues, including ONE Health, nutrition, maternal and child health, and infectious disease. You’ll also develop cross-cutting competencies in epidemiology, research design, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), crafting policy briefs, qualitative data analysis and more. The program emphasizes developing sustainable, culturally appropriate solutions and cultivating the ability to critically assess programs and research within diverse global contexts.
What can you do with a master’s in global health?
You’ll graduate well-positioned for careers across a variety of sectors, including roles with governmental and policy agencies, domestic and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), global research initiatives and innovative private-sector health companies. You may:
- Use this degree as a launchpad into new career paths focused on health equity, global health research or community-based interventions.
- Continue working in your current organization with the goal to advance into a new role.
- Combine what you learn in this program with previous work to pivot into consulting.
By earning this degree, you can bring cultural insight and analytical rigor to the work of improving lives worldwide — whether advancing policy, evaluating programs, managing health initiatives or conducting global health research.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
Ideal global health master’s candidates for the global health master’s program are intellectually curious and motivated by a desire to address the root causes of global health inequities. This program aligns with your interests if you’re eager to explore not only the physical aspects of disease, but also the social, cultural, historical and evolutionary factors that influence health. You’re also an excellent fit if you seek to develop new frameworks and skills to approach health challenges in dynamic and context-specific ways.
The program’s flexibility and relevance support established professionals and career changers who want to bring a more holistic perspective to health and well-being. You may currently be working in health care, public health, nonprofit, governmental or academic settings — or may be seeking a career shift into the global health field. In this program, you can build upon your professional experience or learn how to drive meaningful change if your background is unrelated.
Arizona State University’s online Master of Science in global health prepares you to improve health for all people, in all places. Rooted in an anthropological and evolutionary approach to health, this transdisciplinary and flexible program explores how culture, history, biology and the environment interact to shape health outcomes across time and place. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with the broad, adaptable skillset needed to address today’s most pressing global health challenges — from emerging infectious diseases to chronic health disparities.
In the master’s in global health program, you’ll explore how health, disease and well-being are shaped by cultural, social, biological and environmental factors across time and place. The curriculum blends theory and practice to help you identify critical health challenges, ask meaningful questions and design effective, culturally responsive solutions. Through courses grounded in global health competencies and opportunities for internship placements aligned with your professional goals, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and real-world experience to drive impact in a range of global settings.
You can also shape your learning experience by selecting from the list of restrictive electives below; choose four courses for a total of 12 credit hours. You may select other relevant electives from across the university in your specific interest area as approved by your advisor.
From Royal Society and American Academy Fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members who include:
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
- Pulitzer Prize winners.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to become socially aware critical thinkers and global citizens.
students enrolled as of fall 2024
in research expenditures in FY23
interdisciplinary schools and departments
undergraduate degrees
graduate degrees
for humanities research, according to the National Science Foundation
Applicants to the Master of Science in global health program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's program. If applicants don’t meet the minimum GPA requirements, their application may still be considered under the holistic admissions process based on a combination of their CV, work experience and written statement.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Personal statement.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Letters of recommendation
At least one letter must be from an academic source who can speak to your potential to succeed in the program. The second letter can be from an employer/supervisor, religious official, community leader, etc.
Personal statement
For the personal statement, please write a statement of intent (1000 words or less) that addresses two questions:
- How will the MS in Global Health program at ASU help you to meet your goals? For example, how will it help you to address a particular problem, or support your career progression?
- How will your background, including but not limited to prior training and experiences, support your success in this program?
If your academic record includes GPA below 3.00 in a graduate degree or last 60 credits of an undergraduate degree, you may describe the contributing circumstances in your personal statement.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”