Doctor of Global Health Leadership and Practice

The DrGH program can be completed in as little as three years. Students spend the first year (9-12 months) in Seattle focused on coursework. Subsequent years are spent completing two to four leadership and practice experiences (LPEs) at different global health organizations and a doctoral meta project. 

​Students will also complete a preliminary examination (virtual "take-home" exam) at the end of their second year. 

DrGH Core Coursework (44 credits)

  • Foundational (7 credits) 
    • GH 511 Problems in Global Health (4) 
    • GH 531 Monitoring & Evaluation of Global Health Programs (3) 
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (12) 
  • PHI 500 Public Health Practice, Science and Knowledge (1) 
  • Leadership Policy Management Series & Implementation Science (13 credits) 
    • GH 521 Leadership Development in Global Health (3) 
    • GH522 Project Management in Global Health (3) 
    • GH 523 Policy Development and Advocacy for Global Health (3) 
    • GH 541 Fundamentals of Implementation Science in Global Health (4) 
  • Global Health Leadership and Practice Doctoral Seminar (9 credits) 
    • GH 585, GH 586, GH 587 (3 credits per quarter)  
    • Topics include personal leadership and application of leadership principles. 
  • Advanced Global Health Leadership and Practice Doctoral Seminar (3 credits) 
    • GH 588 (1 credit per quarter)  
    • Combines instructor and peer-led teaching through presentation of case studies and group analysis and discussion.  

Areas of Emphasis (minimum 12 credits) 

  • DrGH students are required to select two Areas of Emphasis (AOEs) of their choice and must complete a minimum 6 credits of coursework for each respective AoE.  
  • AoE options include:   
    • Health Economics  
    • Health Promotion & Health Behavior  
    • Monitoring & Evaluation/Data & Strategic Information  
    • Policy & Advocacy
    • Leadership & Management    

Leadership and Practice Experiences (minimum 24 credits)  

  • GH 610  (each LPE must be a minimum of six credits)   
  • Students engage in 2-4 mentored Leadership and Practice Experiences (LPEs), a minimum of three are recommended, each averaging 6-12 months in duration  
  • Provides exposure to a range of different types of domestic and international global health agencies and organizations  
  • Originate from:   
    • Student's existing professional network  
    • Organizations previously identified by the DrGH program  
    • Networks of the student's faculty supervisory committee  
    • A combination of these sources  
  • Focus is negotiated between the student, LPE host site mentor, and DrGH faculty committee 

For each Leadership Practice Experience (LPE), students must create a practical deliverable that showcases their ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Examples of LPE products include:  

  • A stakeholder analysis for a new health intervention launch  
  • A scope of work for a multi-party evaluation  
  • A policy brief on cost-effectiveness of a behavioral change intervention  
  • A strategic planning document for an organizational unit or program initiative  
  • Published scientific journal article   

Doctoral Meta-Project (12 credits)

  • GH 801  
  • Integration of all LPE products with analysis and reflection  
  • Incorporates all prior LPE practice products  
  • Includes integrative analysis and reflection  
  • Requires an oral presentation  
  • Involves dissemination of work (e.g., publishing in a practice-oriented journal or presenting a formal report to stakeholders) 

Faculty Advisors and Committee Members

Faculty Advisor supports academic coursework and provides mentorship as student develops their Meta-Project and begins to identify potential LPEs.  

Committee Chair is identified and subsumes all responsibilities of the faculty advisor, and provides input on constructing a Supervisory Committee of 3-5 faculty members.