Degree Requirements

Language and Culture Requirement

All GH majors are required to attain depth in a language other than English, typically by taking at least two language courses beyond the K GE requirement. If students are already native speakers of a language other than English, they must still fulfill the language requirement of the GH major by studying at least two semesters of a language other than English.  Any modification to the global health language and culture requirement must receive approval from the GH program director.

Approved GH Cognate Courses: 

Experiential Learning Requirement

The proposed major requires an experiential learning component for every student. The learning competencies associated with this requirement are for students to apply ethical approaches in global health research and practice, and to display critical self-reflection, cultural humility, and ongoing learning in global health. Driven by these competencies, approved experiences will involve global health application, research, or both, with global health issues at the core of the program or experience. The experiential learning does not necessarily need to be in another country to be a meaningful application of global health principles. Examples are provided below to demonstrate the range of experiential learning that would be counted toward this requirement:

• Semester-long directed study working with Columbus-based organization focusing on health services for refugee families. 

• A semester off-campus study in Costa Rica working with clean water health initiatives for indigenous people. 

• Summer internship based in Washington DC with government or non-governmental agencies focused on health policy.

For example, we anticipate many students could achieve this requirement through working with Columbus-based organizations focused on healthcare provided to clients whose primary cultural identity or citizenship is outside of the United States (often referred to as a “glocalism” focus). Additionally, we anticipate that many students will complete this requirement in a non-US location with a global health emphasis in the experiential learning (e.g., study abroad program with an experiential learning component that involves meaningful engagement with community health in the location of study). Finally, experiential learning that involves student-driven research would fulfill this requirement if the research question is sufficiently rooted in global health perspectives and using methodology that is consistent with the global health discipline.