The Global Health Doctoral Certificate provides opportunities for highly motivated students from across Duke to engage in the field of global health through a combination of coursework, field-based research and engagement with peers and faculty.

If you have more advanced knowledge or career interests in global health, you may also want to consider the Global Health Doctoral Scholars program.

The Global Health Doctoral Certificate involves the completion of three courses, a doctoral seminar and a field research experience. Ethically informed research forms the foundation of global health education at Duke and underpins our coursework. We offer workshops to help you prepare for field research. You will also meet individually or in small groups with your faculty mentor to prepare for your experience. 

Field Research

Field research will provide you with an opportunity to understand the complexity of health in underserved populations and offer you a chance to apply your interdisciplinary knowledge and methodology in the search for solutions.

We encourage you to pursue fieldwork in your discipline of interest under guidance from your departmental faculty mentor, but we are available to provide advising and support if departmental guidance is not available. We will also introduce you to other global health students with shared interests as you consider your fieldwork plans.

Each year we offer a limited number of competitive fieldwork grants of up to $5,000 each to enrolled Certificate students.

We strongly recommend that you express interest early in your graduate studies to allow sufficient time to meet certificate requirements. Applications are accepted year-round and must be submitted at least one calendar year before you anticipate graduating.

We’re here to help you understand your options, answer your questions and explore what’s right for you. To apply:

• Step 1. Download Graduate School Certificate Application.
• Step 2: Contact Sarah Martin, assistant director of education programs, to request an appointment to discuss program requirements, field-based research and funding opportunities.