Education - Master of Science in Global Medicine

Education

Education

Master of Science

The Master of Science in Global Medicine degree answers the urgent need for professional training in concepts of global health. Combining a strong medical science foundation with interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare, this equips future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve worldwide health issues.

The Master of Science in Global Medicine requires 32 units of coursework and typically takes one full year to complete (Fall, Spring, Summer). Students are able to choose from one of three specialized tracks based on their own interests and goals.

Progressive Degree

The Progressive Degree in Global Medicine is for currently enrolled USC undergraduate students with junior standing (64 or more units). This degree provides rigorous academic preparation for medical, dental, pharmacy & other health professional schools and offers immersive study abroad opportunities in clinical medicine & healthcare systems.

The Progressive Degree program delivers individualized advising tailored to students’ specific educational & career goals and connects students with a network of alumni studying at top health professional schools across the United States. For more information about the Progressive Degree program click below.

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Tracks

“Make a global impact. Tailor your education.”

The Master of Science in Global Medicine program offers four specialized tracks for students enrolled in this program. Students can choose from Clinical, Management, and Interprofessional tracks based upon their own interests and academic and career goals.

The M.S. in Global Medicine, Clinical Track provides a solid foundation in basic sciences while also exposing students to a broad scope of pertinent issues in global medicine.

In addition to gaining the strong medical science foundation needed for critical analysis of the global burden of disease, courses examining methods used to create programming, solutions, and innovative responses to global health challenges furnish students of the program with problem solving skills and analytical frameworks which will aid them in future career paths.

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To be prepared to face the daunting international health challenges of today, global health professionals must possess a breadth of knowledge and balance a wide range of roles and competencies. In addition to having a sophisticated understanding of the clinical realities of global medicine, they must have a systematic, business-focused approach to the planning and execution of international healthcare facilities, organizations, and projects.

To address this growing need, the Management Track offers students a chance to incorporate courses on finance, management, leadership, and marketing with coursework in basic medical concepts and treatment, diseases and their risk factors, maternal and child health, and cultural competence.

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Collaboration will drive the future of healthcare. Developed by Global Medicine faculty from the fields of medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry, the Interprofessional Health track prepares students to become clinicians who will effectively communicate to provide integrated patient care. Students in this track learn about the advantages and challenges of working in interprofessional healthcare teams that include clinicians in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing, as well as the accompanying changes in healthcare administration. The curriculum employs relevant case studies to inform students’ understanding of interprofessional health and enables them to evaluate patient care situations from a variety of professional viewpoints.

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Physicians/Dentists who have completed their medical/dental degrees and are interested in better understanding global health issues are encouraged to pursue the M.S. in Global Medicine, Advanced Track.

Coursework in the Advanced Track builds upon basic medical knowledge by exploring the epidemiology of diseases prevalent in major parts of the world, as well as strategies to prevent, control and mediate new infections.

The Advanced Track is ideal for medical professionals who have trained as physicians or dentists in the United States or abroad.

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The Graduate Certificate in Global Medicine program is for anyone interested in augmenting their understanding of global health instead of pursuing a full Master of Science degree in Global Medicine.

Students will study current topics in global health and health care, and will have a strong grounding in cultural competence, specific diseases, and creating and implementing health interventions in developing countries.

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Courses of Instruction

Global Medicine students from all tracks are eligible to take these courses.
Courses are 2 units each unless otherwise specified. For course descriptions, visit the USC Schedule of classes.

MEDS 500 – Basic Concepts in Global Health (4 units)

MEDS 510 – Global Health Modules, Malaria

MEDS 511 – Global Health Modules, Tuberculosis

MEDS 512 – Global Health Modules, Maternal & Child Health

MEDS 514 – Global Health Modules, Tropical Diseases

MEDS 515 – Global Health Modules, HIV/AIDS

MEDS 516 – Cultural Humility in Health & Medicine

MEDS 517 – Health and Human Rights

MEDS 518 – Children in Emergency Situations: Global Policies & Programs

MEDS 519 – Global Oral Health

MEDS 520 – Medical Spanish for the Health Professions

MEDS 521 – Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

MEDS 523 – Global Toxicity and Carcinogenesis

MEDS 527 – Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

MEDS 528 – Global Health Modules, Sexually Transmitted Infections

MEDS 529 – Refugee Healthcare

MEDS 530ABC – Foundations of Medicine: Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology (4 units)

MEDS 532 – Non-communicable Diseases

MEDS 550 – Clinical Medicine & Healthcare Reform in Taiwan (study abroad)

MEDS 554 – Clinical Medicine & Healthcare Delivery in Panama (study abroad)

MEDS 556 – Global Health Field Study, New York (study away)

MEDS 557 – Clinical Medicine & Healthcare Dynamics in Denmark (study abroad)

MEDS 560 – Innovating Healthcare in Malaysia (study abroad)

MEDS 561 – Global Healthcare Development and Practices in Nepal (study abroad)

MEDS 567 – Global Nutrition

MEDS 574 – Rural Health in South Africa (study abroad)

MEDS 575 – Introduction to Healthcare in Resource-Limited Settings

MEDS 576 – Maternal and Child Health in South Africa

MEDS 577 – Global Palliative Care

MEDS 579 – Healthcare Challenges and Dynamics in Japan (study abroad)

MEDS 580 – Interprofessional Team Dynamics in Healthcare (4 units)

MEDS 581 – Case Studies in Interprofessional Healthcare (4 units)

MEDS 583 – SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in United Kingdom

MEDS 590 – Directed Research

MEDS 599 – Special Topics