Global Health Studies

Global Health Studies
Academic Bulletin

Area of Study: Interdisciplinary Studies
Programs: Major (BA) and Minor 

Guidance for Summer Entrance Advisors and Exploratory Advisors

The Global Health Studies major consists of 2 core courses, 2 methods courses (out of 3 options to choose from), one fundamental science course, 5 elective courses that span the dimensions of global health, a language requirement, a junior seminar and a senior project. 

Additional advice to position students well for the Global Health Studies major: Start or complete the language requirement during their first year. Complete the fundamental science course elective during their first year.

Courses for first- and second-year students

Students interested in Global Health Studies as either a major or minor should consider the following core courses and selected electives in the Dimensions of Global Health. Ideally, students take GHS 110 first, but this is not required. 

GHS 110: (Introduction to Global Health): An excellent foundational course for students who have indicated an interest in medicine or health-related careers. Ten seats in each section of GHS 110 are reserved for incoming first years, and students in the SR class are restricted from registering for the class.

GHS 210: Investigative Approaches in Global Health focuses on writing, speaking, and research in global health, and can be taken before or contemporaneously with GHS 110. 

Fundamental Science Courses: BIO 220, BIO 221, ENVSC 110,  GHS 223, GHS 225, GHS 228

Science and the Environment: GHS 223, GHS 225, GHS 228

Ethics and Social Responsibility: GHS 235, COMJ 160, PHIL 140, POLSC 140, POLSC 248, POLSC 280

Power and Economics: POLSC 120, POLSC 130, POLSC 242 

Cultures and Societies: HIST 277, INST 110, PHIL 205, WGSS 100, WGSS 211, WGSS 275

Language: A modern language course numbered 120 or above, or pre-requisite courses needed to reach the 120 level. This must be a modern language (i.e. Latin does not fulfill the requirement) and taught in the target language, not in English (Arabic 130, Arabic 250; and German 365 do not fulfill the requirement). American Sign Language (WLC 200) counts, but please be advised that while WLC 100 is readily available, WLC 200 is offered sporadically. Students cannot place out of the language requirement. For example, an entering student who tests at the 200-level would take a course at the 200-level following placement test or consultation with the chair of Modern & Classical Languages.  Reach out to the Chair of Global Health Studies for specific questions related to this requirement.

Note re: Transfer courses: Many courses transfer in at 3-credits. Students may need an additional credit to fulfill the total credits for the major. 

NOTE: For Students interested in the Health Professions

Advisors and students should be aware that completing the Global Health Studies major does NOT fulfill the requirements needed for the MCAT or other pre-health profession entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, OAT, etc.) or graduate programs. For example, most pre-health fields require a year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics (with the appropriate labs), and English. Students interested in majoring in GHS who are also interested in a career in the health professions, need to take additional pre-health professions courses. See the following link for more information on the pre-health requirements: http://sites.allegheny.edu/health/

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Suggested Schedule for GHS Majors 

GHS Minor Notes

The GHS minor requires 6 courses: 1 introductory course, 4 dimensions courses, and 1 capstone course. The capstone should be taken in the JR or SR year. 

Suggested Schedule for GHS Minor (for specific courses required for the Minor, please see the Academic Bulletin): 

Junior Seminar and Senior Comp Course Scheduling

• Sequencing for Junior Seminar - in what semester should students plan to enroll in it 

  • Junior Year Spring

• How do students register their Junior Seminar?

  • Students register for an open section

• Sequencing for Senior Comp

  • 2 Semester Comp Fall and Spring

Ideally, students should complete their required methods courses by the Spring of their Junior Year (2 out of the three options, GHS 321, GHS 350, GHS 352) in order to apply these methods most effectively to the Senior Project proposal (developed and created in the Junior Seminar - Spring) and to the Senior Project. Students can approach faculty directly about being their advisor. Faculty who have heavy advising loads may refer students to the GHS Chair for help finding an advisor. Students in search of advisors often approach the GHS department chair, who is happy to direct students to faculty who are most appropriate.