Global Public Health
What is Global Public Health?
The study of global public health provides an educated view of potential solutions for widespread health issues. Students study the health of different cultures and countries, and the differences between them, by investigating what policies are helping health issues. Global Public Health students also learn to identify health needs of different communities across the globe and consider how to positively impact the overall health of these communities.
Is Global Public Health the right path for me?
Ask yourself a few questions:
- Are you interested in how policy shapes the public’s health?
- Are you interested in conducting research?
- Do you want to make health more accessible and equitable for all?
Students who study global public health are fascinated by health and well-being, driven to help others, and enjoy research and education. Research and education are the backbone of the profession, but transforming that research into usable, understandable material to the average person is a key component to the career as well. If you are passionate about discovering how public health is shaped and are eager to help communities through education, Global Public Health may be the career path for you!
What kind of classes will I be taking
Global Public Health students begin by taking more general health classes, such as Nutrition, Healthcare Economics, Health Communications, and Environmental Health and then progress to take more specific courses in the field, like Population Health, Health Systems of the World, Issues in Global Public Health, Epidemiology for Public Health, and more. The courses create a deep foundation for understanding Global Public Health issues as you further your education.
Major in Global Public Health B.S. Guide Sheet Major in Global Public Health B.A. Guide Sheet Major in Global Public Health A.S. Guide Sheet Minor in Global Public Health A.S. Guide Sheet
What is PUC’s 4 + 1 in Global Public Health all about?
PUC and Loma Linda University (LLU) have signed an agreement to provide a seamless transition of students from PUC’s Bachelor of Science in Global Public Health to Loma Linda University School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health (MPH) in Global Public Health.
Students that meet the qualifications can now complete an MPH in Global Public Health in 5 years vs six years.
Why Choose a Career in Global Public Health
Monita Baba Djara, DrPH
Program Director, SPH-Global Health, MPH
Learn more about the Global Health Degree in Partnership with Loma Linda University.
Rees Reiner
Director of Programs and Operations at The Reiner Foundation
Why Choose a career in Global Health - Part 1 (Rees Reiner)
Karla Estudillo
Monitoring and Evaluation Fellow
Why choose a Career in Global Health - Part 2 (Karla Estudillo)
Nishita Matangi
Public Health Media Assitant
Why Choose a career in Global Health - Part 3 (Nishita Matangi)
What qualifications do I need to meet to enter LLU and graduate with MPH in one year vs two years?
Students in the PUC BS in Global Public Health program with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher will be considered for admission into the LLU School of Public Health for one more year at LLU for a Master of Public Health degree with a major in Global Public Health. See and work with the Global Public Health advisor for more information.
What can I do with a degree in Global Public Health?
A degree in Global Public Health will provide you with an expansive introduction to the field of public health. Global Public Health professionals can be employed in a variety of settings in both the private and public settings such as hospitals, private and non-profit organizations, and health agencies such as UNICEF, FEMA, ADRA, Maranatha and the UN are all examples of organizations that can utilize individuals with an in-depth knowledge of Global Public Health.
A BS in Global Public Health can lead to many careers or paths, including the following:
- Health educator
- Health promotion specialist
- Community health worker
- Program coordinator
- Community Surveyor
- Program analyst
- Research Assistant
- Platform for continuing education in medical, dental, pharmacy school or master’s degrees
- Continuation in Master Public Health Degree (MPH) and specialization for one year at LLU or additional years at another university.
Why choose a Global Public Health A.S. or minor?
- Complements other degrees such as Nursing, Emergency Medical Services and Pre-professional majors.
- Gives PUC students the chance to study a field that interest them on a personal level.
- Enables the opportunity for student to become more competitive and strengthen their resume.
- Students will be able to "round-out” their degree, complement their chosen major and expand career aspirations.
- The world continues to shrink, and international interactions are becoming increasingly common. Our students need be prepared to work in such a globalized world.
- By looking at global issues it provides a light to see the invisible domestic issues.
I love science and health, but I am also interested in other fields. Is Global Public Health still right for me?
“Global Public Health is a highly interdisciplinary, rapidly evolving field that spans health sciences and also bridges a broad range of academic disciplines, including agriculture, sociology, business, engineering, environmental sciences, law, English and psychology.” National Center for Biotechnology Information (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
There are countless ways that you can combine a study in Global PublicHealth with other interests for a prosperous career path! Here are some examples:
- If you are interested in writing and English, you can work as a policy maker or grant writer.
- If you are more business minded, you can own or manage a non-profit health agency.
- A student interested in education can affect individual and community health as a health educator.
- If you have a passion for economics, you can share the understanding of global economics.
- A student interested in psychology & research can use the systematic analysis to increase understanding of complex global public health problems, issues, and behavior.
- Your strong math and analytical interest can lead to epidemiological research.
- If you are drawn to international relations, you can work with a humanitarian aid agency on Global Public Health initiatives and advocacy.
Will I be able to find a job with a Global Public Health degree
According to the Department of Labor and Statistics, employment of community health workers is projected to grow 13% from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will be driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs. Organizations which mostly employ graduates with a Master’s in Global Public Health are as follows:
- Government Agencies
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Disaster relief organizations
- International aid and development agencies
- International health organizations
- Research and academic institutions
- Refugee health organizations
| Job Position | 2024 Median Pay | Job Outlook, 2023-33 |
|---|---|---|
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, including Health | $80,060 | 7% |
Epidemiologist | $83,980 | 19% |
Health Education Specialist | $63,000 | 7% |
Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 | 9% |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $83,910 | 9% |
Social and Human Service Assistant | $45,120 | 7% |
Data reported from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and onetonline.org (August 2025)
Floyd Hayes
Advisor of Global Public Health
If you have questions about the Global Public Health Program you can contact Floyd at fhayes@puc.edu.