GLOBAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SECURITY SPECIALIZATION

Health has become a pre-eminent political value for 21st century humanity. With new programs and initiatives constantly arising through varied organizations, the demand for professionals in this field is an omnipresent outcry that will not diminish. The Whitehead School is proud to be the first professional school of international affairs in the U.S. to offer an academic concentration that explicitly addresses the international security and foreign policy aspects of health issues.

The coursework transcends traditional models of inter-state conflict and seeks to develop new tools of analysis in assessing the nature of global health threats and mapping out effective responses to them. It covers topics of biological weapons, new and re-emerging diseases, demographic and epidemiological transitions, and sustainable development. In addition, independent study courses are offered with topics ranging from the impact of the SARS epidemic to the role of pharmaceutical industries in combating HIV/AIDS.

Students specializing in global health are encouraged to get involved in the programs and activities of the School’s Center for Global Health Studies. Qualified students will be appointed junior fellows of the Center. Through opportunities such as internships with the World Health Organization and other institutions, students gain a competitive edge in launching or furthering careers in government service, the public health sector, pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries, international organizations and other nonprofit groups.