BS, Global Health

Upon completing a Bachelor of Science in Global Health, students should be able to:

1. Explain mechanisms of human disease and identify evidence-based strategies to promote and protect health across the lifespan.
2. Analyze how colonialism, economic systems, biological sciences, social determinants, power structures, and technological innovation have shaped global health approaches and outcomes.
3. Apply epidemiological methods and research evidence to design interventions that address global health challenges.
4. Collect, analyze, and interpret health indicators and statistical data to identify and characterize global health disparities across diverse populations and contexts.
5. Evaluate how intersecting cultural, social, biological, economic, political, environmental, digital, and geographical factors influence population health outcomes.
6. Design culturally appropriate, community-engaged global health interventions and policies that reflect local context and priorities.
7. Produce scientific writing, oral presentations, and health communication materials that inform and motivate behavior change across diverse audiences.
8. Collaborate across disciplines to develop, implement, and disseminate health information and communication strategies in multiple languages and cultural formats.

• See all BS, Global Health major requirements 
• See sample four year plans for the Global Health major
  • See all SPH major benchmarks and sample plans 

For the Bachelor of Science in Global Health, students complete at least 71 credits of major-specific requirements in the following categories:

Global Health Supporting Courses(13-21 credits)

Global Health majors must complete all of the supporting courses:

• BSCI170/BSCI171 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology + Lab (DSNL)
• NFSC100 Elements of Nutrition (DSNS)
• BSCI213 The Public Microbe or BSCI223 Microbiology(DSNS, SCIS)
• GVPT200 International Political Relations or GVPT282 The Politics of Global Development (DSHS, DVUP)
• World Language (usually 2 courses to demonstrate intermediate or higher proficiency)

Global Health Core (40 credits)

Global Health majors must complete all of the core courses:

• FMSC110 Families and Global Health (DSHS, DVCC)
• SPHL100 Foundations of Public Health
• GBHL200 Introduction to Global Health
• ANTH210 Introduction to Medical Anthropology and Global Health (DSHS, DVUP)
• GBHL210 Careers in Global Health
• HLTH230 Introduction to Health Behavior (DSHS)
• ANTH310 Method & Theory in Medical Anthropology and Global Health (DSSP, DVUP)
• EPIB301 Epidemiology for Public Health Practice
• EPIB315 Biostatistics for Public Health Practice (FSAR)
• GBHL310 Introduction to Global Health Literacy
• HLSA320 Comparative Global Health Care Delivery Systems
• MIEH321 Environmental Determinants of Emerging Infectious Diseases
• INST420 Data Applications in Global Health
• GBHL497 Global Health Capstone (DSSP in major)

Global Health Experiential Learning (6 credits)

Students in the Global Health major complete two Global Health Experiential Learning courses, pre-approved by their advisor. Opportunities include research, internships, project-based virtual global classroom courses, and field work locally or abroad.

Global Health Options (12 credits)

Students choose 4 additional courses that further explore concepts from their core courses or complement previous learning. At least 2 GBHL Options courses must be 300-400 level.

A Bachelor’s degree at UMD requires a minimum of 120 credits, generally consisting of:

• major requirements
• General Education requirements
• non-major electives

Some General Education courses can fulfill multiple GenEd categories and/or major requirements.

Total credits will depend on individual students' coursework at UMD and incoming transfer credit, including AP/IB credit. 

• See undergraduate degree policies in the UMD Undergraduate Catalog
• See SPH and UMD academic policies and exceptions procedures

Students in the global health major take courses taught by more than 12 departments across 6 UMD colleges. 

See currently offered global health major:

• Global Health core and supporting courses
  • World Language taught at UMD
• Approved Global Health Options courses
• Examples of Global Health Experiential Learning courses and program

See days, times, and open seats in the UMD Schedule of Classes. 

Experiential learning is an integral part of the Bachelor of Science in Global Health at the University of Maryland. Students in the major apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world projects involving interaction with local and global communities, in preparation for a wide variety of careers.

Upon completion of their experiential learning courses, Global Health majors should be able to:

1. Prepare for and gather contemporary knowledge about a location or community,
2. Identify location-specific determinants (environmental, biological, political, sociological, economic, and/or cultural) that influence health,
3. Ethically engage in the community, with humility and willingness to learn from others,
4. Apply skills and strategies to address public health problems and challenges,
5. Connect theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts, AND
6. Reflect on experiences, noting changes in personal attitudes, interpersonal exchanges, and skill development.

Global Health majors are required to complete 2 different experiential learning courses (total of 4-9 credits) before graduating. These may include internships, research independent study, project-based global classrooms courses, field work, or study abroad.

Note: While an international experience is encouraged, travel is not required for the Global Health major. 

Global Health majors are supported in their academic and career planning by professional advisors in the School of Public Health and across the UMD campus. 

Academic Support and Student Success

In addition to the undergraduate advising team in the GEOH department, students are supported in their academic planning by the School of Public Health's Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA). 

Student Engagement and Leadership

Global Health majors are active in organizations throughout the School of Public Health and across UMD.

• Students build leadership skills through the SPH UTEAM and other programs of the Student Engagement Initiative.
• The GEOH Student Organization connects undergraduate and graduate students with faculty and alumni to promote pre-professional development and collaboration for students in the fields of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health.
• GEOH Student Ambassadors assist current and prospective UMD students interested in our degree programs. 

Career Development

All students in the Global Health major take a 1-credit Careers in Global Health course (GBHL210) within their first 3 semesters in the major.

The University Career Center@SPH provides students guidance in applying to internships or jobs, and preparing for life after college.

Students interested in specific career paths after college are encouraged to connect with the Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office and the Pre-Law Professions Advising Office as soon as possible.

Global Health majors may be eligible for UMD's Accelerated BS+MPH Program, or for other accelerated graduate programs at UMD. 

Current UMD students may declare a major in Global Health at any time. To start the process, follow the instructions to Declare an SPH Major.

• Register for an asynchronous workshop to declare a major in Global Health: 1/5/26, 1/12/26, 1/19/26 (Note that forms close the Wednesday before each workshop date.)

Newly-admitted freshman and transfer students enrolling at UMD for Spring 2026 who want to change their major to Global Health should email ApplyMaryland@umd.edu (with cc to futureSPH@umd.edu).

Future Terps interested in Global Health are encouraged to review the information about SPH Undergraduate Admissions.