Course Catalogue Description

The Master of Science in Global Medicine is offered by the Departments of Preventive Medicine and Educational Affairs of the Keck School of Medicine. The program aims to train medical, dental, and pharmacy students, current physicians and allied health professionals, and those planning to pursue degrees in the allied health professions to analyze and address critical issues in global medicine.

The M.S. in Global Medicine provides a solid foundation in basic science while also exposing students to a broad scope of pertinent issues in global medicine. Physicians and current medical students may use previous equivalent course work for eight units of credit toward GM 516 & 517 - Core Principles Systems I and II course requirements.

The program responds to the Institute of Medicine recommendation that health professional training include course work resulting in literacy in global medicine. The M.S. in Global Medicine provides the knowledge and training necessary to address current and future global medical challenges.

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.

Upon completion of the M.S in Global Medicine, students will be equipped to serve as leaders in various domains within the allied health field, including, but not limited to, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing. In addition, graduates will be prepared to collaborate and/or seek employment with a variety of international aid, non-profit, and global health organizations such as: the United Nations, International Red Cross, United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A graduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required at all times. Any student whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation who do not raise their GPA to 3.0 after two semesters of written notification of academic probation will be academically disqualified. A minimum of 32 units of graduate level course work is required for graduation.

Degree Requirements: The program consists of a full year of coursework (fall, spring and summer)

Core Courses (20 units)
Core Principles System I & II (8 units)
Basic Concepts in Global Health (4 units)
Critical Issues in Global Health (4 units)
Global Epidemiology of Diseases and Risk Factors (4 units)

Elective Courses (at least 12 units)
Malaria (2 units)
Tuberculosis(2 units)
Maternal and Child Health I (2 units)
Maternal and Child Health II (2 units)
HIV/AIDS (2 units)
Tropical Diseases (2 units)
Cultural Competence in Health and Medicine (2 units)
Health and Human Rights (2 units)
Health Status of Indigenous Peoples of America (2 units)*
Immunity in an Infectious World (2 units)*
Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (2 units)*
Human Hepatitis Viruses (2 units)*
Global Toxicity and Carcinogenesis (2 units)*
Grantwriting for Non-Government Organizations (2 units)*

* Available Fall 2010

For detailed descriptions of courses, please refer to the USC Catalogue.