MPH in Global Health

Global public health is the field where some of the world's greatest health challenges meet some of its most exciting opportunities for impact. It's a field where practitioners, policymakers and researchers come together to improve health and health equity across countries, cultures and populations. Instead of focusing on an individual or a single country, it examines how major forces that transcend national borders shape the health of populations around the world: pandemics, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, conflict, migration and the rapidly evolving role of AI.

What makes it “global” is both the scale and the perspective. Global public health challenges require coordinated responses from multiple partners, ranging from local communities to national governments, global institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector. Whether you are passionate about epidemiology, statistics, modeling, clinical science, sociology, geopolitics, economics, policy analysis, engineering or ethics, there's a place for you to contribute to solving global public health issues.

In practice, a career in global public health may involve working in a local health department to understand the needs of migrants and refugees, partnering with a local community to co-design interventions, helping a pharmaceutical company expand access to their drugs in low-income countries, or launching a startup that uses innovative methods to scale-up proven health solutions.

Global health is an essential part of public health, but it brings an international lens to the field. Some public health practitioners focus on improving health within a defined population, while global health prepares students to tackle public health challenges across borders, cultures and communities worldwide.

NYU GPH's global health MPH program integrates both, empowering you with essential local public health expertise while equipping you to drive transformative impact in today's rapidly evolving global landscape.

An MPH in Global Health is a graduate degree focused on improving health outcomes and achieving health equity across populations worldwide. It applies core public health knowledge in areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy to address health challenges that transcend national boundaries, such as pandemics, climate change, global mental health and digital health.

At NYU GPH, our in-person and online MPH in Global Health program goes a step further by embedding students in one of the world's most global cities while offering extensive opportunities for hands-on learning around the world. Through faculty-led research, study abroad programs, and funded international experiences, students gain direct exposure to global health in action.

Yes, you can earn an MPH in Global Health online, including from NYU GPH. Students in our online MPH global health program learn from the same expert faculty and engage in the same rigorous coursework as students enrolled in our in-person degree program.

An MPH in Global Health prepares you to work in leadership roles like Access to Medicines Director, Implementation Scientist, Biosecurity Consultant, Pandemic Intelligence Analyst, Community Health Coordinator and Climate Resilience Manager. Graduates commonly work for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government agencies, private companies, international health organizations, and research institutions around the world. Some start their own for-profit or non-profit companies. You can work on issues related to migrant health, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, cross-border health threats, mental health, emerging pandemic responses, occupational health, and more. Depending on your program, you can also take on roles that require specialist skills such as cross-cultural engagement, geopolitics, economic evaluation, decision analysis, systems thinking and geospatial mapping.

Yes, an MPH in Global Health can prepare you to work internationally. The degree is designed for a global context, equipping graduates with the intellectual foundation, knowledge, practical skills and global health competencies needed to address cross-border health challenges. International experience and cross-cultural understanding are highly sought after by international organizations, NGOs, multinational corporations and research institutions worldwide.

International experience is a core part of our MPH Global Health program. Students benefit from a diverse and international cohort and have opportunities to study abroad, participate in funded internships, and collaborate with global institutions.

Our MPH in Global Health curriculum combines core public health disciplines with specialized global health concentration courses, electives, and hands-on training through an internship and Applied Practice and Integrative Learning Experiences.

Core Courses (Foundational Public Health)

• Introduction to Global Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Issues in Social & Behavioral Health
• Health Care Policy
• Public Health Policy and Management
• Global Environmental Health
• Biostatistics for Public Health
• Global Health Informatics Workshop
• Introduction to Public Health

Global Health Concentration Courses

• Fundamentals of Global Health and Development
• Applying Systems Thinking to Global Health Practice
• Data-Driven Decision-Making in Global Public Health

Electives

Students choose 5 courses from a range of electives to match their interests. Examples include:

• Climate Change and Global Public Health
• Community-Based Health Interventions
• Decision Science for Global Public Health
• Geopolitics of Pandemics
• Global Health Diplomacy
• Global Health Disaster Preparedness & Response
• Global Issues in Public Health Nutrition
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Health Communications
• Health Economic Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment
• Health and Human Rights
• Program Planning and Evaluation
• Public Health Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• LGBTQ Health Disparities
• Perspectives in Migrant Health & Human Rights
• Urban Health and Equity

Some of these courses are study away; students have the opportunity to study in other countries, such as Tanzania and the United Kingdom.

Applied Practice & Integrative Learning Experience

• 180-hour internship
• Applied Practice Experience Seminar
• Integrative Learning Experience Seminar

A Master of Public Health in Global Health teaches you general skills in analyzing complex health systems, interpreting global trends, and using data to inform interventions and policies that improve health outcomes and well-being for people worldwide. Students also gain experience evaluating the global burden of disease, identifying and advocating for cost-effective solutions to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and communicating insights across cultures and disciplines to drive meaningful impact. Depending on their electives, they can also gain specialist skills in areas such as cross-cultural engagement, geopolitics, economic evaluation, decision analysis, systems thinking and geospatial mapping.

We offer three fieldwork opportunities and unique chances to collaborate with leading faculty in our renowned research centers and labs. You'll also engage directly with diverse communities and gain invaluable global perspectives through study abroad programs and funded internships in locations such as London, Tanzania, China, India, and Uganda. These hands-on experiences empower you to build the skills and networks essential for a successful, rewarding career in global health.

In partnership with the Wasserman Center for Career Development, we provide personalized career development services, including career coaching; resume, cover letter, and interview preparation; and access to a global alumni network and exclusive events like the Public Health Career Expo, On-Campus Employer Information Sessions, Career Preparation Workshops and more.

Expert coaches help you identify your strengths, refine your job search strategy, and connect with organizations and jobs that align with your passion for advancing global health equity. With individualized guidance and powerful assessment tools, you'll gain the confidence and skills to succeed in diverse public health roles worldwide.

The comprehensive support we provide to you ensures that you're not just prepared to enter the workforce, you're equipped to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact in improving human health and healthcare access across diverse populations.

No, you don't need a medical background to study global health. Our MPH in Global Health program is designed for students from a range of academic and professional backgrounds, including social sciences, policy, economics, communications and more.

Yes, you can pursue a master's in global health without a science background. Our MPH in Global Health program is interdisciplinary, and we value and welcome students from a variety of backgrounds.

We require students to complete 180 hours of internship experience. If you're a full-time student, we encourage you to complete all 180 hours in the summer between your first and second year. If you're a part-time student, consult your practice officer to determine the timing of your internship.

You'll fulfill our culminating experience requirement by completing an Applied Practice Experience Seminar and an Integrative Learning Experience Seminar in your final year. There, you'll strengthen your public health, professional, and communication skills, and develop an Applied Practice portfolio.

Yes, the NYU School of Global Public Health (NYU GPH) is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This accreditation signifies that our school and programs meet rigorous standards for educational quality, qualified faculty, and adequate resources to ensure students are positioned for successful public health careers.

We invite applications from candidates holding a bachelor's degree in any major from a regionally accredited school or the international equivalent. Our admissions team evaluates your overall academic performance, including GPA, coursework, and any upward trends in your grades. We encourage undergraduate seniors to apply once their final Fall semester grades are posted.

We don't require nor consider the GRE as part of your application. While prior work experience isn't mandatory, we highly value public health-related work, volunteer service, research, and internship experiences that demonstrate your commitment and readiness for graduate-level study in the global health field.

Learn more about our MPH application deadlines, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide official results of the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Only official score reports submitted using the appropriate reporting code through SOPHAS will be accepted. Photocopies of test scores or unofficial records will not be accepted.

This requirement may be waived if the applicant received the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction for four or more years.

Required Minimum Scores:

• TOEFL iBT: 100 or higher
• IELTS - Academic Exam: 7.5 (total band score)

Reporting Codes:

• TOEFL: 5688
• IELTS: Report score through SOPHAS, using one of the following options:
  • Inform your IELTS test center that you wish to send your results to SOPHAS.
  • Send your results to SOPHAS using the IELTS test taker portal.

Visit our How to Apply: Master of Public Health (MPH) page for more information.

Submit your application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for public health programs.

You'll be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• A resume or CV
• A statement of purpose describing your goals and interest in global health
• Three letters of recommendation
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for applicants whose native language is not English

The priority and final application deadlines for Fall 2026 have passed, however, we may accept applications after May 1st on a rolling basis if our program has seats available. View our MPH application deadlines for the latest information.

Use the NYU Office of the Bursar's tuition calculator to calculate a term's tuition and fee cost at current rates. NYU charges tuition on a per-credit basis at the start of each term. Our MPH program requires 46 credits total to successfully complete the degree. Tuition rates are set annually by NYU's Board of Trustees and are subject to change.

We know cost is a big factor when choosing a master's degree in global health, so we automatically consider all incoming master's students for merit-based scholarships of up to $50,000. In Fall 2025, more than two-thirds of the incoming class received an award.

There's no separate application for you to complete. Awards are granted on a competitive basis, when an offer of admission is made, to Master's students who demonstrate an outstanding academic record and strong leadership potential.

Visit our Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships page for more information.