Master of Science in Global Health
Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhuman. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Master of Science in
Global Health The Master of Science in Global Health (MScGH) degree is designed for students who desire to understand the complexity of global health challenges and contribute to solutions in a meaningful way. Our program trains students for career paths in public health, nonprofits and international health organizations. Global health aligns with our core programs of naturopathic and Chinese medicine, which have global origins. These methods of health care are ideal for countries with low economic resources. In these locales, integrative therapies including plant medicine, mind-body medicine, physical medicine and nutrition are both available and cost-effective.
Program Outcomes The MScGH program offers a whole-systems approach to global health wherein students are trained to view a broader context of health and medicine rooted in integrative medicine. Public health is the foundation of this degree, with additional emphasis in health disparities, social justice and traditional medicines. Fieldwork allows students to apply their skills and obtain real world experience with current challenges and opportunities in the health system. This well-designed program equips graduates with the knowledge base and skills to work within the global health environment. Through course work and experiential learning, students are prepared to work in diverse cultural and multidisciplinary environments inherent in global health. Graduates of this program will be able to: • Recognize the use and role of traditional medicine in global health systems • Design potential strategies and solutions for global health challenges • Consider traditional, preventive and integrative medicine perspectives to solve problems in resource-limited settings • Apply concepts of advocacy, social justice and human rights in global health settings • Create a network of professionals and organizations for future career development opportunities A global health discussion series brings concepts together and provides a consistent forum for problem solving and critical thinking about global issues. Fieldwork allows students to explore current dilemmas, demands and health services with a global focus and perspective.
Fieldwork The Master of Science in Global Health has a required fieldwork component that enables students to pursue practical experience locally, nationally or internationally with support from expert faculty. Structured within ethical global health program standards, fieldwork is meaningful and often life changing. NCNM has relationships with multiple community clinics and several local nonprofits within the Portland metropolitan area, which are prospective internship sites. Internationally, NCNM has a long history of very strong relationships with a variety of institutions and nonprofits including medical schools and government agencies in places like Nicaragua, Tanzania, Thailand and Ghana, where students may have opportunities to do their fieldwork. Importantly, all of these relationships are ongoing and sustainable.
After completion of fieldwork, students return to NCNM to finish their capstone project, which consists of a scientific poster and verbal presentation of their work at a local conference. Students will also develop a summary document to include with a resume or CV. In order for students to complete courses while they are doing their fieldwork, some of our existing courses and new electives will be offered through distance learning. Students enrolled in online courses will complete their work through an online course management system, and electronically sign statements confirming the originality of their work. They will complete readings, assignments, online discussions, quizzes and papers as they would in any NCNM campus class. Students will have weekly contact with a faculty mentor to support their academic work in the field.
He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything. ARABIAN PROVERB
Estimated Program Cost Tuition is subject to change. Please contact the Office of Admissions for current information. Students concurrently enrolled in another degree program at NCNM may transfer in applicable course credits. Total Degree Credits Estimated total program cost: $22,090* Required Course Credits 31 (45 credits x $402/credit + approximately $6,000 for travel expenses) *subject to change
Elective Course Credits
14
Total Credits
45
Admissions Requirements GPA: 3.0 or higher (strongly recommended) Course Prerequisites
Essays: What is the most interesting thing that you (individually) or the U.S. (collectively) could do to improve global health in the next 10 years? Name the problem and solve it. (800 words or less)
• General Biology
one course
• General Chemistry
one course
• Mathematics Algebra or Statistics
one course
How do you intend to use global health in your career? (800 words or less)
• Human Psychology
one course
Personal Statement: Describe your interest in global health or your global health philosophy. Include any experiences that have influenced these interests. (800 words or less)
Resume: Please include job experience, internships, extracurricular activities, and publications relevant to global health.
Required Courses Foundations in Global Health
An introduction to key global health topics and issues; students are exposed to different social, economic, political and environmental factors that affect global health. Focused on interventions that address health disparities, social justice and low-income settings, students learn to appraise global health problems and suggest innovative solutions.
Social and Behavioral Foundations of Health
Students learn and understand how individual, community and organizational behaviors affect health care in developing countries and underserved communities. This course prepares students to develop culturally appropriate global health projects.
Principles of Epidemiology
Concepts in epidemiology such as multivariate causality, relative risk, odds ratio, sampling error, different types of bias, and confounding factors are introduced and applied to integrative medicine. Students discuss study designs including survey and sample selection, cross-sectional, cohort and case-control.
Biostatistics I
This course covers different statistical designs, concepts and procedures commonly used in clinical and integrative medicine research. This will equip students to understand the statistical rationale and analysis presented in medical literature. Basic concepts of probability, random variation, and common statistical probability distributions are introduced.
Global Health Discussion Series
Each session in the series has a thematic frame that guides facilitated discussion. Formats might include: presentations; showing and discussion of a documentary; discussion of a news report, book chapter or article; or, attending a special campus speaker's presentation or event. Students present their proposed projects in this forum for feedback.
International Travel Skills
Students learn essential travel skills needed when traveling, living, working or volunteering in a global health context. Topics include travel logistics and safety and health for the tourist, student, volunteer and working traveler.
Biostatistics II Learn techniques appropriate for handling a single outcome -OR- Secondary variable and multiple predictors. Students will also develop skills Data Analysis in the use of appropriate statistical procedures for estimation and inference, according to underlying assumptions and type of study design.
Required Courses Public Health Policy
Learn about the important role policy plays in public health and governmental responses to public health issues. Social justice and health access are discussed, as well as integrative medicine strategies to address these concerns. Guest lecturers provide perspective on the issues facing public health, including addiction, mental health, vaccines, obesity and tobacco use.
Global Health Seminar
Students examine global health issues through journal and news articles, and discuss challenges to practicing medicine and targeting research to different areas. Experts in global health from various medical backgrounds bring their perspectives.
Global Health Programs: Design and Evaluation
Understand the fundamentals of evaluation and research as applied to public health programs, global health programs, policies and other types of interventions. The course covers impact, outcomes, process and participatory evaluation, and a number of research designs common in public health evaluation research.
Global Health Discussion Series
Each session in the series has a thematic frame that guides facilitated discussion. Formats might include: presentations; showing and discussion of a documentary; discussion of a news report, book chapter or article; or, attending a special campus speaker's presentation or event. Students present their proposed projects in this forum for feedback.
Global Health Practicum
Students identify a global health question they wish to address; propose a project; develop a plan and project tree; identify collaborators; and prepare for the fieldwork component of the program. Students are expected to work with an existing NGO for their fieldwork.
Fieldwork
Students conduct a project in the field with a nonprofit, university or community group. Students are responsible for conducting the project, evaluating it, and completing weekly reflections on the process. At the end of the quarter, students present their project to the global health faculty in a conference format.
Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. BUDDHA
Elective Courses – this is a sample list, additional electives are available. Disaster Relief
The emerging dynamics of economic globalization and competition for resources; and resulting displacement, forced migration, conflict, and environmental refugees have added considerable complexity to the realm of disaster management. This course provides an integrated approach to all stages of disaster management in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
African Herbal Medicine
Tanzania is one of the most ethnobotanically diverse countries on the planet. With more than 10,000 species of plants, the soils of Tanzania grow many herbal medicines. Students will work with a traditional healer to learn how the herbs are used in the villages. A naturopathic faculty member will be present to discuss Western uses of the herbs and how they relate to the Tanzanian uses.
Vaccinations
This course discusses new vaccine strategies; current vaccines, components and schedules; and vaccine safety. Students will be able to identify types of vaccines, ingredients of each vaccine, predicted immune responses to those vaccines, and potential side-effects of each vaccine.
Intro to International Public Health
A daily discussion of public health initiatives with international relevance, this course addresses childhood nutrition programs, maternal survival programs, environmental studies, refugee health, water systems and safe water, food systems, and health education. CURRENTLY ONLY OFFERED ON GLOBAL HEALTH TRIPS.
Intro to A basic overview of tropical disease in developing nations, Tropical Disease students will differentiate between the microbiology, pathology and clinical symptoms of different microbes. Conventional and natural treatments for each disease are covered. CURRENTLY ONLY OFFERED ON GLOBAL HEALTH TRIPS.
Global Health Experience
In this course, students travel with a faculty member to a foreign country to learn how research and health care are conducted internationally. Country, faculty member and research topic varies. Student is responsible for paying tuition for the course, as well as their own airfare, food, lodging and visa expenses.
Global and Ecological Food Issues
Explore global and federal organizations participating in the food system; global food policy and trade agreements; food production, processing and distribution; food security and access; and sustainability from a global perspective. Students choose a subject to study in-depth, such as: certifications and labeling; how healthy are organic, local and natural foods; marketing food to children; GMOs; food health claims; and cultural traditions and religious impacts of food choice.
Elective Courses – this is a sample list, additional electives are available. Cultural and A practical approach to various cultural and traditional diets such Traditional Diets as vegetarian, vegan, Halal and Kosher. The class includes weekly preparation of specific foods to complement dietary concepts. Global Cuisine
This course demonstrates how food availability, local ecosystems, cooking traditions and cultural differences vary from region to region. Preparation of regional cuisine each week supports these concepts.
Food Policy
Investigate the public policy behind food production and distribution, and the factors that influence policy development. Topics include food systems, food needs and food safety, environmental sustainability, accessibility and food labeling.
Grant Writing
This course teaches skills in communication, problem-solving and critical thinking in order to write successful grant proposals. Students are introduced to types of grants, as well as the process of submitting a grant to NIH and other potential funding sources.
Medical Anthropology
Medical anthropology compares different cultures' ideas about illness and curing. Although disease is a concept referring to a pathological condition of the body in which functioning is disturbed, illness is a cultural concept: a condition marked by deviation from what is considered a normal, healthy state. "Science" does not stand outside culture. This course explores traditional healers, shamans and witch doctors, as well as conventional biomedical physicians.
Maternal and Child Health
This class focuses on improving the health of mothers, children, youth and families, including socially vulnerable populations and the environments and policies that affect their well-being.
Leadership Development
This course prepares students for leadership positions by combining leadership skills with population-level knowledge and cross-cultural sensitivity. Students learn leadership theory and styles, identify their own style, and build their leadership skills.
Conferences in Global Health
Students attend one conference about global health, or at least 10 hours of global health seminars locally. A reflective paper summarizing the experience is required.
Health Disparities and Diversity
Recognize and understand how to deal with health diversity and disparities. Partners from worldwide nonprofits will lecture on their experience and discuss how research can target these populations most effectively. Students visit clinics that serve lowincome and underserved populations.
Elective Courses – this is a sample list, additional electives are available. Qualitative Data Analysis and Mixed-Methods Research
In this course, students will become familiar with multiple methods of data collection and how to combine them within a single research project. The focus will be on collecting data using unstructured or in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observation, archival research, survey interviews and hybrid methods. Learn the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and how each different method can contribute to the research question in unique ways.
Ethnography
Research is a craft requiring methods fitted to each researcher's unique situation and questions. This seminar on the craft of research will consider a mix of (a) conceptual issues, like what is distinctive to the anthropological practice of ethnography and (b) practical and ethical challenges of fieldwork including getting research permission, reciprocating assistance, anticipating and mitigating research risks, selecting proper equipment, negotiating conflicts and power dynamics, and preparing to write.
Policy Studies and Analysis
This course will discuss policy problems facing diverse communities; explore models of social change, social justice and market justice; and incorporate ideas of sustainability and "outcomes-based" assessment into comparative analyses of issues facing international policymakers and global communities.
The first wealth is health. RALPH WALDO EMERSON
Master of Science in Global Health–Nine-Month Program* Course #
FALL TERM
Credits
GSGH 511
Foundations in Global Health
3
GSGH 521
Social and Behavioral Foundations of Health
2
RES 503
Principles of Epidemiology
3
RES 600
Biostatistics I
2
GSGH 510
Global Health Discussion Series
1
GSGH 831
International Travel Skills
1
Fall Total Cultural Immersion Trip to be completed in Nov-Dec. (Scheduled as a winter-term elective)
12
WINTER TERM RES 601 -ORGSGH 705 RES 630 GSGH 522
Biostatistics II Biostatistics – Secondary Data Analysis
3
Public Health Policy
2
Global Health Seminar
2
GSGH 523
Global Health Programs: Design and Evaluation
2
GSGH 510
Global Health Discussion Series
1
GSGH 512
Global Health Practicum
1
Winter Total
11
SPRING TERM GSGH 630
Global Health Fieldwork
8
Spring Total
8
TOTAL REQUIRED COURSE CREDITS
31
TOTAL ELECTIVE COURSE CREDITS
14
TOTAL CREDITS
45
*The MScGH program offers 9-month, 12-month and 2-year tracks. Contact the Admissions Office for more information, or visit ncnm.edu/mscgh-academic-info/.
Electives Course #
ELECTIVES
Credits
GSGH 703E
Maternal and Child Health
2
GSGH 704E
Leadership Development
2
GSGH 706E
Conferences in Global Health
1
GSGH 707E
Qualitative Data Analysis and Mixed-Methods Research
2
GSGH 708E
Ethnography
2
GSGH 709E
Policy Studies and Analysis
2
GSGH 710E
Medical Anthropology
2
GSGH 712E
Disaster Relief
2
GSGH 713E
Global Health Organizations
2
Electives (continued) Course #
ELECTIVES
Credits
GSGH 714E
Wilderness First Aid
2
GSGH 715E
Chronic Diseases in Global Health Settings
2
GSGH 800E
African Herbal Medicine
2
GSGH 821E
Tanzania Global Health Experience
2
GSGH 832E
Thailand Global Health Experience
4
GSGH 833E
Nicaragua Global Health Experience
5
GSGH 841E
Intro to International Public Health
2
GSGH 842E
Intro to Tropical Disease
2
GSGH 844E
Taos Self-Care Retreat
2
Additional electives from the School of Research & Graduate Studies are available. Please refer to the NCNM catalog online at ncnm.edu.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
Tabatha Parker, ND Dr. Tabatha Parker earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from NCNM in 2004 and is a core faculty member of the Master of Science in Global Health program, the first global health program offered at a naturopathic medical school. In 2003, Dr. Parker co-founded Natural Doctors International (NDI)—a naturopathic global health organization focused on service, policy and research. Her global expertise and leadership working inter-professionally and collaboratively was instrumental to the historic formation of the World Naturopathic Federation in Paris in 2014. Clinically, she has focused on women’s empowerment, cervical cancer screening and primary care. As an activist, she inspires students and doctors to think and act globally to bring natural medicine to its rightful place in global health—from boutique medicine into the trenches. In 2012, she became the first naturopathic doctor to graduate as a Faculty Development Scholar from UCSD’s renowned program, “Addressing the Health Needs of the Underserved.” In addition to her role at NCNM, Dr. Parker also serves as the director of education at the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, the leading provider of education and certification of health professionals in integrative holistic care. Dr. Parker is a writer, social justice activist, artist, singer, and dedicated wife and mother of two. In 2011, she was given the prestigious "UTNE Reader" Visionary of the Year award, placing her among an elite group of the world's leading innovators. Most recently, Dr. Parker received The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians top honor as “2015 Physician of the Year,” recognizing her leadership and individual achievement to the profession and patients in the course of her career.
It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. MAHATMA GANDHI
049 SW Porter Street Portland, OR 97201 ncnm.edu | admissions@ncnm.edu 503.552.1660 | 877.669.8737
10/2015
NCNM ADMITS STUDENTS OF ANY RACE, COLOR, AND NATIONAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN.