Global Health is a field that integrates expertise and perspectives from different disciplines, based on the determinants of health that have a complex structure in the globalizing world. It provides a new platform for research, education, and information about the health problems facing the world.
Global Health work focuses largely on health issues that go beyond the borders of nations. Health policies, health inequalities, gender inequalities, migration, violence, global climate crisis, urbanization, demographic change, pandemics, new and re-emerging infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, etc. It brings together many different disciplines of subjects and requires an interdisciplinary approach.
A flexible knowledge and skill set are required to understand and manage the health challenges of our time in the best way. Within this skillset, research, management, communication and collaboration, ethics and professionalism, capacity building, sociocultural and political awareness gain particular importance in terms of global health.
Apart from biological factors, health has many ecological, cultural, institutional, historical, evolutionary, social, economic, political and technological determinants. It’s necessary to grasp and evaluate all these factors to create effective and sustainable solutions to global health problems.
Those who complete the program will acquire competencies in epidemiology and research, analyzing causes, effects and relationships that determine health at the global level, strategic analysis, program management, policy development, communication and collaboration, ethics and professionalism, capacity building, sociocultural and political awareness.
The MSc in Global Health (Non-Thesis) is designed to be completed in 1 calendar year over 2 semesters (Fall-Spring or Spring-Fall). During this year the students will complete a total of 10 courses (30 credits) and a graduation project supervised by one of the program faculty members. Courses are offered during weekdays (Monday-Friday) and working hours. (if necessary the courses will be held on weekends)
Having a bachelor’s degree in related fields including Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Administrative Sciences and Natural Sciences.
Those who have a career goal in these fields can continue their careers in many different national and international institutions as health policy analysts and consultants, health services managers, health educators, epidemiologists, researchers and lecturers.
The Global Health Master Program, a novelty in Türkiye, is a newly established platform for research, education, and information exchange addressing today’s global health problems. The program is carried out by Koç University Graduate School of Health Sciences in cooperation with the Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Graduate School of Science and Engineering. It is focussed on health issues that go beyond the borders of the nations in a rapidly globalizing world. Its content and objectives are developed to be of high relevance to professionals from different disciplines, including but going beyond professionals trained in the field of health. The graduates of the program will have the capacity to conduct high level research and develop interventions and solutions that will directly contribute to the prevention of diseases, promotion of health and an increase in the quality of health services in the national and international arena. Our Global Health Master's program is designed as a learner-oriented curriculum diversified according to the needs of the participants. In addition to presentations made by national and international experts, interactive and participatory learning methods will be used, in which students share their experiences from their field and the knowledge they have gained in the program. Case examples to be presented in the program will address immanent topics at regional, national, and global level.
Being the first global health graduate in Türkiye from Koç university is an honor. As a dentist and global health worker, I'm positive that having this master's from Koç will enhance my chances to get a decent job in the international global health field. On the academic level, I found the curriculum very comprehensive for the ones who want to continue to work in the field or to be a researcher. In addition, being an international student is another challenge. Being independent and learning how to face everything that may pop up suddenly is a skill that may not be underrated, you can achieve this besides your academic life day by day if you are in the right environment with the right company.
I want to thank Koç university, my dear professors, and my friends for this great experience!
Hiba Darras
Global Health Non-Thesis MSc Graduate