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Global Health, BA

Do you want to improve lives around the world by advancing human health? Explore how history, culture and environment intertwine to play a critical role in today's health problems and their solutions. Prepare for a service-oriented career in global health policy, community health practice, disaster management, health education and beyond.

Apply now
A volunteer sorts fresh food for distribution, reflecting community well-being in ASU's Global Health, BA program.

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: General program math intensity general
First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

The Bachelor of Arts program in global health is a transdisciplinary degree program that provides you with the skills and perspectives you need to understand and solve health challenges across the globe, while accounting for cultural, historical, biological and ecological factors.

You learn to identify critical health issues, ask the right questions, and create the kinds of meaningful and effective solutions that top employers demand. You participate in an approved global health study abroad program alongside faculty experts. A variety of destinations and topics are available.

Faculty in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change are recognized internationally for their work on pressing global health problems, such as health inequalities, chronic disease, family health, water and food insecurity, obesity and stigma, emergent infectious disease, resource management and evolutionary medicine.

In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you're interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
ASB 100 Introduction to Global Health
SSH 403 Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health
ASB 394 Special Topics
AFR 383 Blacks in Science, Medicine and Public Health
ASB 373 Applying Anthropology
ABS 319 Food, Health and Human Biology

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Evaluate the global burden of disease considering social and environmental determinants of disease.
  • Design community-based health initiatives in domestic and international settings using principles of global health research, collaboration, and ethical practice.
  • Justify a theoretical or analytical framework for addressing health disparities across social, economic, and structural dimensions.

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
General contact
602-496-0450
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Study abroad can be crucial in helping students gain a clearer view of the world, its peoples and the complex challenges that exist for all. There are numerous faculty-directed study abroad programs designed to connect students with current issues that impact local communities yet transect boarders. Whether studying environmental health issues in Australia or investigating ancient cultures in France, students can see the world and gain hands-on experience to prepare for a future-focused career through Global Education programs.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these programs for students majoring in global health.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) 5.6% $64,070
Community Health Worker 12.7% $51,850
Environmental Protection Specialist 6.1% $82,220
Epidemiologist 18.7% $87,220
Health and Safety Manager 18.5% $90,150
Healthcare Professor 17.9% $107,310
Medical and Health Services Manager 24.2% $123,860
Politician Not available Not available
Public Relations Specialist 1.8% $74,750
Social Services Director 7.2% $80,390

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Training in global health provides enormous and varied career opportunities, both national and international, and demand is high and growing for graduates with these skills. The major program supports the goals of those pursuing careers in health services, academic and applied research, and teaching. Potential employers include:

  • departments of health
  • government agencies
  • international agencies (World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health Council, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank)
  • nongovernmental organizations
  • universities

The degree program also provides a broad intellectual base for those who plan advanced specialist health training in fields such as:

  • dentistry
  • medicine
  • nursing
  • pharmacy

In Arizona and elsewhere, there is a pressing need for professionals with appropriate skills to work in cross-cultural settings or with underserved populations such as migrants, minorities and those living in poverty; many of these jobs are directly or indirectly related to health.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Human Evolution & Social Change | SHESC 233
shesc.undergrad@asu.edu
480-965-6215

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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