Global Health Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
Why Major in Global Health Studies at Allegheny College
As a Global Health Studies student, you’ll learn to play an essential role in addressing the world’s health challenges — preparing for a rewarding future through hands-on learning, civic engagement, and diverse, international perspectives.
Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Global Health Studies with:
Division
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Program Type
- Major
- Minor
Number of Credits
54 for major24 for minor
Where Global Health Studies Alumni Work Today
Preventative Health Activities Manager
American Dental Association (ADA)
Matt Zaborowski ’17
Graduate Student
Ryan Napper ’13
Chief of Staff
Health Resources & Services Administration
Garrett Devenney ’16
Director of a Health Equity Program
Allegheny Health Network
Elissa Edmunds
Epidemiologist
CDC Foundation
McClaren Rodriguez ’20
Enterprise & Investigative Writer
MedPage Today
Rachael Robertson ’20
Allegheny’s Global Health program has challenged me to become a more well-rounded thinker. We evaluate how to prevent — and not just treat — disease. My major has helped me to explore the underlying determinants of health and wellness while examining the implications of policies and interventions.
Your Four-Year Journey
Year 1: Understanding
Start with the basics: Investigate the complex, interconnected relationship between the environmental, social, and structural determinants of health. You will embark on an interdisciplinary exploration by taking a mixture of classes across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Year 2: New Approaches
You will explore the influence of power, privilege, and ethics within the cultural contexts of global health. To do so, you’ll enroll in your choice of electives in disciplines such as economics; history; political science; psychology; and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.
Year 3: Delving Deeper
The third year is particularly exciting because students engage in applied coursework and participate in a range of experiential learning opportunities, such as study abroad, internships, or research with faculty. Another vital part of the third year is beginning to orient yourself toward the research-intensive capstones, the Junior Seminar, and the upcoming Senior Comp.
Year 4: The Comp
Now is your chance to integrate your practical experiences with your specific areas of interest. It’s time for the defining feature of the major, the Senior Comp. Identify and investigate a global health challenge through your yearlong independent research project.
Research and Internships
Hands-on experience is essential to global health students who will shape the future health of communities. Students are encouraged to take part in a variety of different professional and experiential opportunities, including:
- Student research
- Internships
- Volunteer opportunities
- Studying away
Intern with local, national, or international organizations to gain practical experience and explore connections to your classroom learning.
- Investigate local health challenges with community partners to address food insecurity, healthcare access, maternal and child health, and environmental health.
- Explore policy at state and national agencies and organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the Association of State & Territorial Health
- Officials (ASTHO); and the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO).
- Partner with international organizations like Child Family Health International (CFHI) and Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), India.
Conduct research with Allegheny faculty during the semester or over the summer.
- Sharpen your statistical analyses and data visualization skills through the global health research bootcamp
- Engage with global educators from around the world to strengthen undergraduate learning through the “Teach Global Health” summer institute
- Partner with faculty on projects relating to such topics as interventions to address microbial pathogens, the history of medical ethics, and indigenous food systems
Study away from campus during your junior year and earn transfer credits that apply to your degree.
Faculty and Staff
Associate Professor
PhD, Tufts University; RDN, University of Arizona; MS Iowa State University; BS SUNY Stony Brook
Email: afinaret@allegheny.edu
Phone: 814-332-2793
Email: rdawson@allegheny.edu
Phone: 814-332-2196
Featured News
Academic Excellence: Paving the Way for Bright Futures
When talking with alumni about their Allegheny experience, whether they graduated in 1974 or 2024, one thing always stands out – the connection our alumni have with faculty. Our College has a rich legacy of faculty who go above and beyond in their interactions with students, serving as teachers, mentors, facilitators, career connectors, and more.
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