FAQs
The Global Health Studies Multidisciplinary Academic Program (GHS MAP), administered by the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, trains a select group of Yale undergraduates — Global Health Scholars — in interdisciplinary global health methods and practice.
This page answers the questions we hear most often:
- Jump to general program questions
- Jump to application questions
- Jump to questions regarding courses and competencies.
Topics range from eligibility and the application process to competency requirements, study abroad credit, and course petitions.
I’m interested in global health. How can I learn more about the Global Health Studies Program?
Welcome! The Global Health Studies Multidisciplinary Academic Program (MAP) is an interdisciplinary program for a select group of Yale undergraduates, called Global Health Scholars, who apply to the program during the fall of their sophomore year. The Global Health Studies MAP provides rigorous training in interdisciplinary global health methods and practice. The Global Health Studies MAP runs within the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. Scholars engage with an outstanding range of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, fellows, and practitioners. Scholars take courses in a variety of Global Health Studies electives and have the opportunity to participate in a range of speaker sessions and social occasions, examining critical issues in global health. Upon completion of the program, Scholars receive a certificate in Global Health Studies, which is listed on their Yale transcript. To learn more about the program, please feel free to explore the Global Health Studies website, learn more about our exceptional Scholars and terrific faculty, check out our events, attend the information session, and be in touch!
When is the information session?
We hold an information session in the fall, typically in mid-October, with details posted on our events page. We open applications to enrolled sophomores in early November. Applications are typically due just before Thanksgiving, and we communicate decisions over winter break. You can check our events page for more details on the information session in the fall and the How to Apply section for the application.
Can I declare any major and still apply to the program?
Yes! We take students from a wide array of backgrounds and majors with interests in global health. One of the unique parts of a MAP is the ability to interact with a range of Yale students across many different majors. You will pursue common interests in global health through different majors, methods, and perspectives.
What are the Global Health Studies Program requirements?
Please see the requirements page of our website for details. In brief, Scholars take the introductory lecture course (HLTH 230: Global Health: Challenges and Responses) in their sophomore or junior years, the senior colloquium (HLTH 490: Global Health Research Colloquium) in their final year, and achieve global health competencies through their major and four Global Health Studies electives.
Can I study abroad while in the GHS MAP?
If it works with your major and MAP requirements, absolutely!
If you need the courses taken abroad to count toward the GHS electives, courses completed abroad that are not listed for a grade on your Yale transcript cannot count toward the GHS competency areas. Courses completed abroad may only meet a given competency area if
- the courses are listed for a grade on your Yale transcript,
- the course satisfies the scope and competency requirements as listed on the website, and
- you submit a petition to the GHS Program Manager by emailing your request with the course number, course syllabus, competency you’d like to fulfill, and a transcript documenting a letter grade for the course.
In general, you are expected to fulfill your competencies with courses taken during your terms at Yale.
Where do I find the application?
Details on the application process are posted on the How to Apply section of the website here.
If I missed the deadline, can I still apply?
We’re sorry, but no, we cannot accept late applications.
Is an unofficial transcript acceptable for the application?
Yes. You may upload an unofficial transcript or, if necessary, a screen shot documenting courses taken at Yale and applicable grades.
Can I ask a research mentor, my lab’s principal investigator, or a teaching fellow to be my recommender?
Yes, a Yale faculty member, research mentor, PI, or teaching fellow who has familiarity with your academic interests can serve as your recommender.
My recommender is not from Yale. What can I do?
A Yale recommender is preferable, but on occasion, we can accept a reference letter from a recommender outside of the Yale community, such as a summer internship mentor or employer.
If my application is accepted, what do I need to do?
Congratulations! We will ask you to fill out a form committing to the program during the winter break. You will also be contacted by the GHS Program Manager to plan courses and competency electives for the program, and receive notices for welcome events for the Global Health Scholar community.
If my application is not accepted, what can I do?
We’re sorry we cannot accept all qualified applicants because entry in this Program is particularly competitive. Please note that we do not provide feedback on applications. We hope you continue to pursue your interests in global health; many of the global health courses and events are open to the wider Yale community.
What if I have another question not included here?
Please feel free to get in touch with us on the contact form or by emailing the GHS Program Manager, Cara Fallon.
What are global health competencies?
Global health is an interdisciplinary field of study. All Scholars are expected to meet six global health competency areas during their time in the program. These are:
- Biological & Environmental Influences on Health
- Historical Approaches
- Health & Societies
- Performance & Representation
- Political Economy & Governance
- Understanding & Interpreting Quantitative Data
You can read more about the competency areas here.
For the competency areas, do I need to meet all six?
Yes. Scholars meet two competency areas automatically through their major and the other four areas by taking four Global Health Studies electives that do not overlap with the courses required for the major.
Which competencies do I meet through my major?
You will discuss these with the GHS Program Manager.
If I am a double major, do I still need to take four non-overlapping electives?
No. Double majors earn two competency areas for each major, amounting to four competencies. However, double majors must ensure that at least two courses in their major requirements demonstrate coverage of global health (based on the course title, description, or syllabus) and register these courses with the GHS Program Manager. Double majors meet the final two competency areas by taking two GHS electives that do not overlap with either major.
How do I know if a course I’d like to take meets a certain competency area?
Before each term, a spreadsheet of recommended courses and their associated competencies is posted on the requirements section of the website. If a course is not listed on this sheet and you believe it will meet a particular area, you may submit a petition to the GHS Program Manager by emailing the syllabus and specifying what competency area it fulfills.
Can one course count for two competencies?
No. One course counts for one competency area. Where courses fulfill two competency areas, as specified on the recommended course list, you must choose which competency they fulfill for your Global Health Studies requirements.
Can I change which competencies I count a particular course toward?
Yes. Adjustments can be made as you progress through the program. As long as the course was listed as fulfilling more than one competency area in the recommended course list, you can petition the GHS Program Manager to switch competency areas. Please email your request with the course number, previous competency met, new competency you’d like the course to fulfill, and the spreadsheet detailing the recommended course list and competency areas.
If I have already taken courses listed on the recommended course list before being accepted to the program, can I count them toward the competency areas?
Yes.
Can I take a class Credit/D/Fail and count it for the competency area?
No. Courses must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill a competency area.
Can I use study abroad courses to count toward competency areas?
Courses completed abroad that are not listed for a grade on your Yale transcript cannot count toward the GHS competency areas. Courses completed abroad may only meet a given competency area if: 1) the courses are listed for a grade on your Yale transcript, 2) the course satisfies the scope and competency requirements as listed on the website, and 3) you submit a petition to the GHS Program Manager by emailing your request with the course number, course syllabus, competency you’d like to fulfill, and a transcript documenting a letter grade for the course.