Published August 30, 2022, last updated on September 8, 2022 under Around DGHI
The students arriving in Trent Hall this week underscore that global health is a truly global field. Nearly half of the 26 students beginning the Master of Science in Global Health (MS-GH) program hail from countries outside the U.S., the largest percentage of international students in the program’s 14-year history.
The new MS-GH cohort includes students from eight countries, including Kenya, El Salvador, Myanmar and Pakistan. Collectively the students speak 18 different languages. Ten students – 38% of the entering class – are first-generation college students.
The incoming class joins 43 returning MS-GH students, 144 global health undergraduates, six global health doctoral scholars and 18 global health graduate certificate candidates in starting classes this week. Three second-year students from Duke Kunshan University’s Master of Science in Global Health program will also spend the fall semester at Duke.
Global health students are also diverse in their academic interests. The 73 undergraduates who have declared a co-major in global health comprise 16 different co-major combinations, including biology, public policy, psychology, cultural anthropology and dance. DGHI’s doctoral scholars represent five unique PhD programs, including clinical psychology and environmental policy.
This year’s MS-GH cohort also includes two Accelerated MS-GH students—current Duke undergraduates who begin graduate study during their senior year and earn a master’s degree with only one additional year of study—and two students in the Global Health Pathway for Residents and Fellows.
“Every year, this week gives us renewed hope for the future of global health,” said Mary Story, DGHI’s associate director for academic programs. “It’s so nice to have the students back in Trent and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for each of them this year.”
Scences from Orientation
First-year MS-GH students reached new heights and built community during DGHI’s fall orientation activities. The week included a day at Triangle Training Center in Pittsboro, N.C., to build teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
