Global Health
All students in the MSGH program are required to engage in at least four weeks (excluding travel time) of non-clinical work in a health delivery setting, which may include rotations abroad, working remotely on projects abroad, or working in your own community on “glocal” projects. Practical fieldwork experience is considered a valuable complement to the program curriculum, earning students academic credit in the practicum course, which is overseen by MSGH faculty. The practicum is constructed so that students are not simply observers but are able to add value to our global partners work via the skills gained through the MSGH program. All Practicum coursework is completed within the Practicum course and students do not complete any work in advance.
Northwestern partners with Child Family Health International (CFHI), offering global health education programs throughout the world, in nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Ghana, Ecuador, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
CFHI is the leading international non-governmental organization (INGO) placing health science students in global health immersion programs in ways that are socially responsible and financially just. The organization models best global health education practices which demonstrate a priority commitment to community engagement and local integrity. CFHI is an INGO in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.
The cost of an international experience through CFHI varies depending on the program location and length. The cost of a four-week program ranges from $2,275 to $2,625, not including travel. The cost of an eight-week program ranges from $4,320 to $5,000, not including travel. Please see the CFHI website for the most up-to-date information about international program fees.
Students accepted into the MSGH program have access to financial assistance through federal and private loans. Students working with CFHI may also secure additional funding through a variety of CFHI-based options, including scholarships. Students may also have to secure their own additional funding for components of the practicum course. Please note that quarters 2, 3, and 4 of the Practicum course are not credit-bearing, and therefore do not count towards meeting federal financial aid requirements. Students in need of federal financial aid are advised to register for the practicum course at the end of their program. Please contact your student adviser for further details.
The MSGH Practicum is the program’s culminating experience and an opportunity for students to apply learned skills in underserved regions around the world. Practicums include partner rotations abroad, collaborating with global projects virtually, or working on “glocal” (global/local) projects in a local community. Former global health students have completed practicums in Uganda, Ecuador, South Africa, Mozambique, and other countries. All fieldwork experiences must be at least four weeks in duration excluding travel time.
While students may want to fast track through the program, it is not recommended that coursework be taken at the same time as their field experience due to both time and wireless connectivity constraints.
Many students encounter severe poverty and inequity and deep cultural differences for the first time. They learn to respond in an appropriate way that doesn’t undermine dignity. The practicum provides an authentic space to apply, synthesize, and evaluate what they’ve learned in the program. ”
All students in the MSGH program are required to engage in at least four weeks (excluding travel time) of non-clinical work in a health delivery setting, which may include rotations abroad, working remotely on projects abroad, or working in your own community on “glocal” projects. Practical fieldwork experience is considered a valuable complement to the program curriculum.
Practicum prerequisites: Completion of any four of the following courses prior to enrolling in Practicum: MSGH 405, MSGH 408, MSGH 410, MSGH 417, MSGH 419, MSGH 480. All six courses must be completed by the end of the second term of the Practicum.
(Uganda)
(Mozambique)
(Mozambique)
(South Africa)
The Practicum experience of the SPS Masters of Science in Global Health (MSGH) provides students with the opportunity to directly apply their education and positively impact underserved regions, in partnership with global organizations. To support this important work, the SPS International Fieldwork Travel Scholarship for the program provides funding to MSGH students to partially support fieldwork abroad as part of practicum. Scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need. Please see the Scholarships page for more information.
