In recent years, global health has become an increasingly popular field of study. A number of universities now offer courses in global health, many of which are interdisciplinary in nature. Global health courses typically cover a wide range of topics, including epidemiology, public health policy, international health regulations, and disease control. In addition, students often have the opportunity to study specific diseases or conditions within the context of global health. We have compiled a list of top Global Health courses from leading universities below. If you are interested in master’s degrees instead, have a look at these programs.
Challenges of Global Health (Duke University)
The Challenges of Global Health is a free online public health course offered by Duke University in the United States. This five-week class provides an introduction to global health and is ideal for students about to embark on undergraduate or graduate study and for those with a general interest in the field. Students will need to devote roughly five to seven hours of study time per week to watching videos and completing supplement assignments.
Introduction to Global Health (University of Copenhagen)
An Introduction to Global Health is a free online public health course offered by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. An introductory class, this course is ideal for anyone who wishes to learn more about global health and has no educational or work experience prerequisites. The class lasts for seven weeks and requires three to five hours of study time weekly.
Essentials of Global Health (Yale University)
Essentials of Global Health is a free online health care course offered by Yale University in the United States. This introductory 10-week class seeks to answer five basic questions: What do people get sick, disabled and die from; Why do they suffer from these conditions? Which people are most affected? Why should we care about such concerns? and What can be done to address key health issues, hopefully at least cost, as fast as possible, and in sustainable ways?
Introduction to Global Health (Karolinska Instituet)
An Introduction to Global Health is a free online public health course offered by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. This course discusses a variety of public health topics including Maternal and Child Health; Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights; and Major Infectious Disease. Students also receive an introduction to analyzing public health statistics and data. Self-paced, the class has flexible deadlines. The instructor recommends that students complete the coursework over a six-week period, devoting two to five hours of study time to the class weekly.
Readings in Global Health (Harvard University)
Readings in Global Health is a free online public health course offered by Harvard University in the United States. During this self-paced course, students will have an opportunity to read 18 reviews published in The New England Journal of Medicine and to engage with the text. Although deadlines are flexible, the instructor suggests that the students complete the course over a 10-week period, spending three to six hours on the class weekly.
Global Health Policy (University of Tokyo)
Global Health Policy is a free online health care course offered by the University of Tokyo in Japan. This course includes four units: Global Health Policy and Governance; Pandemics and Health Security Responses; Universal Health Coverage in the Context of Aging; and The Future of Japan’s Health System: Sustaining Good Health with Equity at Low Cost. Students complete one unit of video lectures and supplemental assignments each week.
Global Health and Humanitarianism (University of Manchester)
Global Health and Humanitarianism is a free online public health course offered by the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. The class includes three units: An Introduction to Global Health; Humanitarian Responses and Dilemmas; and The Right to Humanitarian Assistance and the Responsibility. Each unit is taught by a different faculty member and lasts for two weeks. During each week of the six-week class, students will likely need to spend one to three hours on the class to succeed.
Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview (University of Geneva)
Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview is a free online public health course offered by the University of Geneva in Switzerland. During this eight-week course, students will gain an understanding of how medicine, public health, law, economics, social sciences and humanities intersect. Among the topics covered are Infectious Diseases; Non-Communicable Diseases and Disability; Governance for Global Health, Health Systems and Financing; and Foreign Policy, Trade and Health.
Foundations for Global Health Responders (University of Colorado)
Foundations for Global Health Responders is a free online public health course offered by the University of Colorado in the United States. This six-week class is intended for individuals who wish to pursue global health responder certification from the university and acts as a prerequisite for entering the credentialing program. The class explores current trends in global health.
Global Public Health (SDG Academy)
Global Public Health is a free online public health course offered by the SDG Academy of the United Nations and taught by experts from the Public Health Foundation of India. The class explores the link between investments in health and positive economic development outcomes. Self-paced, the class has flexible deadlines; however, the course is best completed over a 10-week period.
Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health (University of Copenhagen)
Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health is a free online environmental science course offered by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. Through this three-week class, students will come to understand the problems associated with air pollution and how improving global air quality can have a positive impact on public health.
Global Health and Humanitarianism (University of Edinburgh)
Global Health and Humanitarianism is a free online diseases and disorders course offered by the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. This course is ideal for anyone who is interested in learning more about how mental health problems and disorders are treated around the world and about what can be done to better address global mental health care needs.
Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability (University of Geneva)
Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations is a free online public health course offered by the University of Geneva in Switzerland. This seven-week course serves as an introduction to the International Health Regulations established by the World Health Organization. By the end of the class, students will have a deep understanding of the IHR and how adherence to its guidelines contributes to the advancement of world Sustainable Development Goals.
Improving Global Health: Focusing on Quality and Safety (Harvard University)
Improving Global Health: Focusing on Quality and Safety is a free online public health course offered by Harvard University in the United States. This self-paced class examines what can be done to improve health care outcomes worldwide, exploring topics like patient care, public systems and health care management.
Health for All Through Primary Health Care (Johns Hopkins University)
Health for All Through Primary Health Care is a free online public health course offered by Johns Hopkins University in the United States. This five-week class introduces students to the concept of primary health care and how advancing this medical specialty can help to improve health care outcomes around the world.
