Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the requirements for admission to the Global Health Track?

Global Health Track applicants must:

What criteria does the Admissions Committee use to evaluate applicants?

The committee takes into consideration the applicant’s:

• overall academic profile, including letters of reference;
• stated interest or prior experience in addressing the need to develop health care systems, interventions and research that are responsive to developing country needs;
• intention to pursue work overseas with populations in or from developing countries;
• clear stated interest in the public health aspect of international work

Can I apply to the Global Health Track under two departments?

No.  You can only be considered for the Global Health Track once.  It is recommended that you choose the Global Health Track as your first track choice under any department.  Be sure to make your second choice a track that is NOT Global Health.

When is the application deadline and when will I be notified of my acceptance?

The Mailman School of Public Health accepts applications through January. The Global Health Track receives an extremely large number of applications, therefore, we encourage candidates to have complete applications submitted by the School's January deadline in order to be competitive in the review process.

Once I have been accepted to the program, what is expected of me?

Students are expected to:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation in 2 years.  This requires that students commit to taking between 12 and 15 points of coursework every semester while in residence;
• Choose your own practicum site or one of the practicum sites and projects organized by the Global Health Track. Currently, the Track-organized sites include: Bangladesh; South Africa; UNAIDS projects in South Asia and Latin America; Student Partnerships Worldwide sites in South Asia and East and Central Africa; Earth Institute Millennium Villages projects throughout Africa; International Centre for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) sites in Central and Southern Africa; and NGOs in the Dominican Republic.
• Plan to carry out the practicum at a single site for 5 - 6 months.  Shorter practicum experiences do not meet the requirements of the Global Health Track;
• Attend all sessions of the Global Health Track seminars throughout the 3 semesters at Mailman;
• Develop a Master’s capstone paper based on the work conducted during the overseas practicum or on data collected during the practicum.

Once accepted, what is my time commitment to the program?

• The program condenses departmental requirements in order to facilitate graduation in 2 years;

Are Global Health students given any financial support?

The Global Health Track pays for students’ round-trip airfare to the practicum destination of their choice.  Tickets are purchased by the Track Coordinator through a Columbia-contracted travel agent.

Still have more questions?
Contact Adria Armbrister, Global Health Track Program Coordinator

NOTE:
Some of the information and policies contained on this FAQ sheet may change without notice. Please consult the Global Health Track for updated information.