Certificate in Global Health at WCU
Why Global Health?
Global health is an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. Global health emphasizes transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions; involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration; and is a synthesis of population-based prevention with individual-level clinical care.” (Koplan et al., 2009)
COMMITTEE
Planning Committe
- Dr. Chiwoneso Tinago (Chair) (Public Health Sciences)
- Dr. Patricia Davidson (Nutrition)
- Dr. Heather Edelblute (Public Health Sciences)
- Dr. Harry Holt (Public Health Sciences)
- Dr. Michelle Kensey (Nursing)
- Dr. Kimberly Johnson (Nutrition)
- Dr. Melanie Vile (Public Health Sciences)
- Kevin Andoh (Graduate Assistant, Public Health Sciences)
Why a Certificate in Global Health?
- Globalization is real
- Students are looking for programs that engage their interests and help them develop skills they can use to address some of the world’s biggest challenges
- There is a high demand for Global Health programs and immersion experiences among students in the U.S.
- Curriculum guidelines across various health disciplines have called for the inclusion of global health competencies such as implementing culturally competent care, education on the social determinants of health, and interprofessional education (Amerson, 2019)
- Fewer credits when compared to a degree and open to non-degree seeking students
Needs Assessment of Global Health Certificate Programs in Pennsylvania
- Six universities offer a certificate program in the state
University of Pittsburgh, East Stroudsburg University, Temple University, Pennsylvania State College, Drexel University and Lehigh University - Four graduate and two undergraduate
- Mostly in-person with two online graduate programs
- On average 2 year programs
- Total credits for the program range from 12 and 18 credits
- None open to non-degree seeking students
Format of the WCU Certificate in Global Health
- Undergraduate certificate
- Open to undergraduate students with a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Open to non-degree-seeking students that meet WCU admission criteria
- 12-credit certificate
- One 3-credit core class HEA 200: Introduction to Global Health and selection of 9 credits from interdisciplinary elective list
- 100% online, hybrid or in-person
- Must have a grade of C or higher in each certificate course and a minimum certificate completion GPA of 2.5
Goals and Learning Outcomes of WCU Certificate in Global Health Program
Goals
- Expand the global health knowledge and skills of students and professionals.
- Address health and social issues through a global lens.
- Apply a collaborative interdisciplinary learning approach to sharing the knowledge and experience of global health agencies, leaders, and practitioners with certificate participants.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Define key global health concepts.
- Describe key global health threats and their causes.
- Identify critical stakeholders for the development and implementation of global health programs.
- Explain how to work effectively in countries and/or cultures with differing social and economic perspectives.
What Sets Apart our Certificate in Global Health?
Open to undergraduate students: Complete a Certificate in Global Health and your undergraduate degree within the same time period.
Offered 100% online with a hybrid option: You may choose to complete the certificate 100% online or take a combination of in-person and online courses.
Applies a global lens: You will apply a global lens to understand and address health and social issues within your local community with the intention to “Think Globally and Act Locally.”
Open to non-degree-seeking students: Are you a working professional who wants to broaden your global health skills while having the flexibility of an online program? This certificate is available to individuals who are not enrolled as full-time students at WCU.
Collaborative interdisciplinary learning approach: You can take courses from a variety of disciplines to meet the certificate requirements and you will be taught by diverse faculty with global health experience from different disciplines to expand your perspectives.
Gain real-world global health experience: You may choose to count global fieldwork, internship, study-abroad, or service-learning experience as one of your electives, which will give you the opportunity to earn academic credit and international experience while improving your professional networking in global health.
Skills Developed from the Certificate in Global Health
- Understand key global health concepts
- Work effectively in interprofessional teams and with diverse groups
- Identify critical stakeholders for the development and implementation of global health programs
- Apply a global lens to address issues
INFORMATION
Contact Information
For more information, contact the Program Director, Dr. Chiwoneso Tinago at ctinago@wcupa.edu or 610-436-2776