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.