Global Health Gets Major Boost

Global health has grown from a certificate program in 2006 to a full major, albeit one offered only as part of a double-major program of study. The major offers students a multifaceted approach to global health challenges and is one of the country’s first liberal-arts majors in global health.

“The double-major model is ideal for our students because they will reap the benefits of a rich, interdisciplinary education within a global health context,” says Gary G. Bennett A.M. ’99, Ph.D. ’02, director of undergraduate studies at the Duke Global Health Institute and associate professor of psychology and neuroscience, global health, and medicine.

Students can pair the major with any other at Duke. The major begins this fall and requires three core courses, three foundations courses, three electives in an area of focused study, an immersive fieldwork experience, and a senior seminar.

Since 2008, Duke has offered a master of science in Global Health, a third-year study program for medical students, a doctoral certificate, and postdoctoral fellowships.