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Global Public Health Major Requirements

The major in Global Public Health requires 30 total credits plus a language competency as defined below. 

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New for Class of 2028+: PRE-REQUISITE (3 CREDITS)

Students are encouraged to complete this before applying to the major. At a minimum, they must be completed before graduation.

  • GSGS 2000 Intro to Global Studies

 

CORE COURSES (9 CREDITS)

  • Choose 3 courses* from the following 4 areas:
    • Global History
    • Global Humanities
    • Global Cultures (Anthropology/Society)
    • Global Diagnostics (Quantitative)
      *We highly recommend that these be upper-level courses that align with the student's topical interest(s).
       

TRACK COURSES (9 CREDITS)

  • PHS 3825 Global Public Health: Challenges & Innovations
  • PHS 4050 Public Health Policy
  • PHS 4991 Capstone Seminar - this course is only taught in Spring semesters

METHODS COURSE (3 CREDITS)

Methods Requirement, one of the following: 

  • PHS 3102 Intro to PH Research: Pop Data Analysis 
  • PHS 3104 Intro to Epi – Methodological & Ethical Considerations 
  • PHS 3130 Intro to Health Research Methods 
  • PHS 3620 Built Environment & Health Impact 
  • PHS 5621 Health Impact Assessment 
  • PHS 5015 Qual Methods for Community & Global Health 
  • An Approved Substitute

THREE ELECTIVES (9 CREDITS) 

  • These courses will be selected carefully in consultation with an advisor, taking into account the student’s language proficiency, topic interests, or concentration in a world area.  PHS Study Abroad courses in Summer or J-Term may be used.
  • Electives must be preapproved for each student
     

LANGUAGE COMPETENCY

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Class of 2026

  • One (1) course beyond the 2020 level of any language taught at UVA (or in an approved study-abroad program)
  • If a student has reached the 2020 level in one language but does not want to go further with that language, the student can satisfy the requirement by studying a second language and reaching the 1020 level.
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Class of 2027+

Completion/satisfaction of World Language Literacy as detailed in the College Curriculum. Students can meet the World Languages requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses of action:

  • Earn exemption by placing beyond the 2020 level by examination
  • Take 14 credits, or four semesters of a language in the proper sequence typically finishing at the 2020 level
  • After placement, complete the remaining courses in the sequence up to the fourth semester (usually 2020)


 

OTHER

  • We highly recommend a meaningful global experience directly related to the student's individualized global health focus. The U.S. may be an appropriate site.

 


** The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.

Contact the Director

Global Public Health (GPH) Track Director; Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine