The University of Washington Department of Global Health is committed to preparing the next generation of global health leaders through world-class education and training programs focused on research, evidence-based practice, and policy development. DGH currently offers four academic programs at the doctoral and master’s level. Below you can learn more about our department, programs, and admissions process.
Why choose the University of Washington Department of Global Health for your degree?
- University of Washington is currently ranked the No. 7 best global university by U.S. News & World Report.
- Global health student research is guided by our internationally recognized faculty who are conducting 773 funded research projects and programs in 149 countries.
- Through our Endowed Fellowship for Global Health Excellence, Equity and Impact, DGH offers funding for top recruits and underrepresented minorities for our graduate programs.*
Department of Global Health Graduate Admissions Timeline
We review applications for our PhD, Doctoral, and MPH programs once a year for entry the following summer or fall.
- September 1: Online application opens for all programs
- December 1: Application and all supporting materials due for all programs
- December - February: Committee reviews applications
- February - March: Admission decisions are sent
- April 15: Deadline to accept offers of admission
Doctoral Degree Programs
PhD in Global Health: Metrics & Implementation Science: DGH, in collaboration with the Department of Health Metrics Sciences, IHME and HAI, have developed a PhD program in Global Health that is the first of its kind, building on the expertise of our faculty in the areas of metrics and implementation science. The PhD program specializes in two areas of emphasis, metrics and implementation science. Metrics is dedicated to providing students with advanced training in independent, rigorous, and timely scientific measurements to accelerate progress on global health by identifying the world’s major health problems, assessing how well society addresses these problems, and guiding resource allocation to maximize health improvements. Implementation science focuses on the systematic application of scientific approaches to ask and answer questions regarding evidence of intervention efficacy to implementation. This science addresses how interventions can be scaled-up with greater speed, fidelity, efficiency, quality, and coverage. Learn more or talk to an adviser.
PhD in Pathobiology: The program applies a multidisciplinary approach as well as the latest research technologies to the study of public health problems such as viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases, as well as other conditions such as cancer. Learn more or talk to an adviser.
Doctor of Global Health Leadership and Practice (DrGH): The DrGH is a brand-new practice-based doctorate program, which will prepare future leaders to work across the architecture of diverse organizations and dynamic policy environments in order to solve complex global health problems. Welcoming its first cohort in Autumn 2021, the DrGH degree program is intended for mid-career professionals seeking to improve leadership skills and capacities in planning, catalyzing resources, building networks, motivating teams, strengthening national policy, as well as implementing, managing, and evaluating evidence-based programs in a variety of global health settings. Learn more or talk to an adviser.
Master's Degree Program
Master of Public Health in Global Health: The program offers a social justice and practical skills-based framework so graduates can make a difference wherever they work. Students exit with core public health skills in research, analytic methods, proposal development, management, implementation science, health metrics and evaluation, and a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and political determinants of health, and the history of global responses to health problems. Learn more or talk to an adviser.
* This includes Excellence Research Assistant positions (tuition waiver and living stipend) and Excellence Fellowships ($5K award). All graduate applicants can apply for consideration for these funds. The number of awards each year is dependent on funding available, and awardees are designated through the DGH academic program committee.