Are you interested in advancing your career in global health? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people worldwide? If so, you might be interested in the new Ph.D. Program in Global Health offered by Public Health U (PHU), a program at the Frank Foundation and EUCLID University.
The Ph.D. Program in Global Health is an advanced professional degree designed to promote academic inquiry and discovery in the field of global health. The program is primarily aimed at public health professionals or other health professionals who are committed to advancing the field of global health through their careers.
The program has four main objectives: to produce scholars who will advance the field of health sciences and public health globally; to produce leaders in the global health sector; to produce scholars who will contribute to the health of people worldwide; and to produce scholars who will contribute to the health of the environment worldwide.
The curriculum is a 55 USCH credit program that is delivered online and comprises seven core courses and two elective courses. Each of these courses is facilitated by two Ph.D.-level tutors who possess professional experience in a relevant field. To successfully complete each course, students have to contribute to several discussion forums and peer activities and pass a final assignment. In consultation with an assigned advisor, the student will be required to write a doctoral thesis worth 25 USCH, making a contribution to global health. The program is designed to be delivered in a manner that is convenient for busy professionals and that allows participants to learn at their own pace.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must have followed the Master’s level program in Public Health at Public Health U and must have obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health issued by EUCLID University. Applicants should also have at least one year of professional experience in health or public health, be fluent in English, and be able to dedicate 10 to 15 hours a week toward the program.
At Public Health U, our mission is to provide public health e-learning at a very low cost. This is why our fees are kept low for students in low- or middle-income countries, for whom taking a Public Health U module costs US $70 each. For students in high-income countries, enrolling in each module corresponds to an administrative fee of $300. There is an additional fee for those who wish to gain the EUCLID Ph.D. degree ($600), payable after receiving their PHU certificate of completion. Fee waivers, graduate assistantships, and bursaries are available to ensure that cost is not a barrier.
The ideal candidate for the Ph.D. in Global Health possesses key skills and values. The key skills include knowledge and understanding of global health issues, including social determinants of health and health disparities; strong critical thinking and analytical skills; an evidence-based approach to problem-solving and decision-making; the ability to conduct rigorous research to address global health problems; ethical and responsible conduct of research; excellent written and verbal communication skills; adaptability and resilience; and a commitment to lifelong learning. Our core values encompass social justice, unwavering integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, and deep knowledge and skill in our field of work.
The Ph.D. in Global Health Program was launched in April 2023 with a pilot cohort. Public Health U is elated to announce that four (4) students have been selected for the pilot cohort of the program. These students include Sulaiman Foday Mansaray, a Regional Programme and Operations Manager (RPOM) for Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL); Carolyn Aishah Mkandawire, a Research Assistant at Metrowall Research and Consulting Ltd. in Malawi; Jean Claude Nshimiyimana, a laboratory specialist for the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) working in Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Nigeria; and Cletus Asare, the head of the Research, Innovations, and Grants department at the DATALINK University in Ghana. All of the selected candidates are holders of Master’s degrees in Public Health from Public Health U and EUCLID.
As the pilot program progresses, the experience of these students will be monitored closely to determine whether any revisions to the program structure are required. We will continue to take steps to ensure continuous improvement and will reopen applications in a few months.
Our subsequent call for applications will be advertised on all of our online media platforms, and eligible students will be contacted via email. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career in global health, and we encourage you to look out for these updates!
Seema Persaud
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