The Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH), offered in partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Center for Global Health Education, aims to prepare the next generation of leaders for emerging global issues. The MSGH program’s expert global health faculty come not only from Feinberg Medical School, but also from McCormick School of Engineering, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and Kellogg School of Management to offer a truly interprofessional degree. Students benefit from access to a top-ranked academic medical center and dedicated center of expertise.
The curriculum is designed for clinicians, researchers, epidemiologists, nonprofit administrators, policy analysts, social entrepreneurs, and others who make a meaningful difference in healthcare access and outcomes in the places where it’s needed most. Through multidisciplinary courses that emphasize both theory and practical application, you'll learn how to improve healthcare outcomes and systems, work effectively in challenging healthcare settings, navigate global regulatory issues, evaluate results, and more.
The MSGH is offered entirely online. Students can complete the program part-time at their own pace or follow a prescribed four-quarter curriculum to finish in just one year. The one-year option is ideal for medical school gap year students and others who can commit to a full course load each term.
Northwestern offers instant name recognition, and the MSGH program lets you take electives outside the curriculum in other departments. The real-world practicum experience made the difference in securing my new position.”
I’ve never felt more connected with my professors. Even though I’ve never physically met my faculty, I’ve had the strongest relationships in my academic career.”
Global Health addresses some of the most important and novel issues in 21st-century health. Time, talent, and investments are needed now more than ever to combat largely treatable chronic diseases that claim far too many lives in low- and middle-income countries. Combined with growing needsin global health due to migration, climate change, and the global economy, there could not be a better time to gain the skills and knowledge through the Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH) programto contribute to the field. An interdisciplinary professional program, MSGH graduates will possess the knowledge, skills and aptitude to:
Work effectively in a health-related industry within highly resource-limited settings
Navigate the business and legal/regulatory aspects of health-related industries around the world
Contribute to the improvement of health outcomes and systems within low and middle-income countries
Evaluate and measure health outcomes
Secure funding for global health initiatives and implement global health business practices
Evaluate and navigate the cultural and ethical considerations inherent in global health contexts
Demonstrate cultural humility through respectful engagement with diverse stakeholders and communities to address complex global heath challenges
Essential Fieldwork: The MSGH Practicum
All students in the MSGH program are required to engage in at least four weeks (excluding travel time) of non-clinical work in a health delivery setting, which may include rotations abroad, working remotely on projects abroad, or working in your own community on “local” projects. Practical fieldwork experience is considered a valuable complement to the program curriculum, earning students academic credit in the practicum course, which is overseen by MSGH faculty. The practicum is constructed so that students are not simply observers but are able to add value to our global partners work via the skills gained through the MSGH program. Northwestern partners with Child Family Health International (CFHI), offering global health education programs throughout the world, in nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Ghana, Ecuador, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. Additional details about fieldwork experiences are found on the MSGH Practicum web page.
The program provides students with concrete competencies they will need when approaching employers, as well as an industry perspective that is crucial in understanding how healthcare is delivered across the globe.”
Dr. Ashti Doobay-Persaud, Faculty Director
We're looking to change the way we view disease and how it's treated. We have the potential to affect policy making at regional and national levels.”
Students are required to complete 12 courses to earn the degree. The curriculum covers nine core courses, two elective courses, and a practicum course. Review curriculum details and elective choices while you consider applying to this program. Current student should refer to the Global Health curriculum requirements in place at time of entry into the program.
Complete your courses part-time on your own schedule. Our flexible online format allows you to balance your studies with work, family, and other personal commitments. This option is perfect for working professionals who want to advance their education without disrupting their career path. Applications for the part-time option are accepted year round and admitted students can start in any quarter.
One-Year Option (begins summer 2026)
The intensive one-year format delivers the same rigorous curriculum as the part-time program but enables you to complete your degree in just 12 months. This path is ideal for medical school gap year students and others who can commit full-time to the coursework in order to quickly build expertise and make a greater impact in global health-related fields. Students in the one-year option must begin in the summer quarter (application deadline April 15.)
Admission Information
A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the Admission page for SPS graduate programs.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Master's in Global Health program at Northwestern is comparable to similar US programs. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern. Complete details can be found on the Global Health Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Registration Information
Already accepted into the Master's in Global Health program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible to ensure maximum efficiency in your trajectory.
Global Health is one of the 21st-century faces of medicine addressing the most important and novel issues in health. Those with appropriately rigorous education in the field will likely find significant professional opportunity. For details visit the Global Health Career Options page.
Faculty
Instructors in the Master's in Global Health program at Northwestern are leaders in the field. They bring practical real-world experiences to the online classroom and engage with students on an interpersonal level. Get to know the instructors on our Global Health Program Faculty page.
Additional Options for Global Health Study
Global Health Leadership Certificate
Build practical management and leadership skills in a larger ethical context to shape mission-driven work on global health equity and access projects. Complete this four-course certificate and apply your credit to Northwestern’s MS in Global Health program.
Looking for a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Global Health? Consider full- and part-time options from Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine that train graduate students for a variety of professional roles in public health, clinical care, and health research.
How is Northwestern’s online Master’s in Global Health program different from similar programs at other schools?
The online Master’s in Global Health at Northwestern distinguishes itself from similar programs at peer institutions in many ways, including:
Faculty: As leading practitioners in their fields, the faculty for Northwestern’s Global Health Master’s program bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. MSGH professors include professionals from not only Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine but also the McCormick School of Engineering, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and Kellogg School of Management, as well as various international health organizations.
Approach: Northwestern’s MSGH program blends theoretical and practical approaches to international health issues, equipping students with a strong foundation for their post-graduation careers.
Scope: The curriculum in this multidisciplinary degree covers a range of topics integral to understanding and acting on global health issues, including research, public policy, statistics, bioethics, and fundraising.
Connections: The online Master of Science in Global Health is offered in partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Center for Global Health Education.
What are the networking opportunities as a student in the online Master’s in Global Health program?
Networking opportunities for students in the online Global Health Master’s degree program include:
Interactions with industry-leading faculty and experienced peers through classroom discussions and projects
Connections with Northwestern’s expansive network of alumni working to make meaningful change to healthcare access and outcomes across the globe
Access to career resources such as the Northwestern Career Advancement program, career coaching via InsideTrack, webinars, and more
Can I complete my master’s degree in global health while working full-time?
Yes; Northwestern’s part-time online MS in Global Health program is designed for busy working professionals. Students in this track typically take one or two courses per quarter and should plan for eight to twelve hours of work per week outside of class. Students in the part-time program may also take quarters off between courses or enroll in up to 4 courses per quarter, depending on their availability. Learn how other MSGH students have balanced school with personal and professional commitments by reading their student stories.
Please note that the one-year Global Health Master’s program is not recommended for students working full-time. Students in this track take three to four courses per quarter, may not take quarters off, and can expect to dedicate at least 40 hours per week to their studies in and out of class time.
What does online learning look like for the Master’s in Global Health online program at SPS?
Designed for flexibility with the busy schedules of working professionals, courses in the MS in Global Health are asynchronous, meaning there is no designated class meeting time each week. However, it is important to note that classes are not self-paced; there are still weekly deliverables such as readings, discussions, projects, and exercises.
Each course in this program has a dedicated faculty member who has collaborated extensively with our in-house distance learning team to ensure their online classes are as engaging and academically rigorous as an in-person class. In addition to the asynchronous materials, all courses also feature a minimum of three live class sessions per quarter, hosted by the professor via Zoom. While optional, these are a great opportunity for real-time interaction with your peers and instructor. If you are unable to attend, recordings of these sessions will be posted to the course website.
What is the average class size in the online Master’s in Global Health program?
Courses in the online Master’s in Global Health program have a minimum of 10 students and are capped at 25. This small class size allows instructors to offer more personalized instruction and feedback.
What is the online Global Health Master’s practicum?
The MS in Global Health practicum is the program’s culminating experience and an opportunity for students to apply their skills to underserved regions around the world. The practicum requires at least four weeks of non-clinical work in a health delivery setting and may include partner rotations abroad, collaborating with global projects virtually, or working on “glocal” (global/local) projects in a local community. For examples of noteworthy past student practicums, check out our MSGH student stories.
What are the prerequisites for the Master’s in Global Health online program at Northwestern?
All applicants to the online MS in Global Health must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent. A background that demonstrates relevant professional or academic experience in policy or health is also preferred, but not required; our admissions committee considers all prospective master’s in global health students holistically based on the quality of application materials, academic records, and professional experience.
How long does it take to complete the part-time MS in Global Health program?
The online Master’s degree in Global Health at SPS is designed to be completed within one and a half to five years; at a pace of one to two courses per quarter, the average time to completion is about two years.
If you are looking to fast-track your degree, consider applying to the one-year MSGH track.
What is the tuition for the online Master’s in Global Health?
For the 2026-2027 academic year, both the one-year and part-time Global Health Master’s degree tracks consist of 12 courses at $3,410 per course for an estimated program total of $42,540. Program tuition, which is competitive with other comparable programs at peer institutions, includes access to career advising and writing and math support, as well as Northwestern’s global alumni network and events.
Are there any scholarship opportunities available to students in the Global Health Master’s degree program?
Yes; Northwestern’s Master’s in Global Health online program offers a Graduate Global Health Fieldwork Scholarship to help offset the cost of the practicum. To explore options for financing other tuition costs, please visit our financial aid page or contact the Chicago Financial Aid office.
What are the application deadlines and decision timelines for the part-time and one-year MSGH tracks?
Applications for the part-time online Master’s in Global Health program are accepted on a rolling basis with four application periods per year. To view the application deadline for the upcoming quarter, please visit our graduate admissions page.
Because courses for the one-year Master’s in Global Health begin in the summer quarter, all program applications for this track must be submitted by April 15.
Regardless of which track you are applying to, you can expect to receive a decision within four to six weeks of the quarter’s final application deadline.
