Suggested Programs for PH Majors
Public health students have a wonderful opportunity to make an impact on a global level. Whether focusing on coursework toward degree requirements, pursuing field studies, or interning with a clinic, there are opportunities from the desert to the tropics, from rural communities to dense urban areas.
Programs Specifically for Public & Global Health
1.
Pacific Island Environmental & Community Health
Engage firsthand with current development questions in two incredible centers of education: The University of Queensland and Solomon Islands National University. After 6 weeks in Queensland, Australia, move to the Solomon Islands for 5 weeks. Gain valuable field research methodologies and skills across diverse and fragile ecosystems, explore urban and rural development approaches, and see firsthand the impact on public health as you engage with local students and remote communities. In the last phase of the program, you will have an opportunity to develop and propose plans to address the challenges you observe.
2.
Community Public Health
Experience seven life-changing weeks this summer in Santiago, a commercial and cultural hub about an hour from the coast. This is a unique opportunity to interact with local patients and medical professionals in a health practicum and clinical rotation, improve your Spanish language living with a Dominican family, and study pre-professional topics such as preventive medicine, development, and health management in the Spanish Caribbean. Summer class studies and guided site visits are combined with rewarding experiences helping under-served communities.
3.
Public Health, Thammasat Univ.
Designed for students with interests in pre-med, community studies and public health, this exciting new program combines language, culture, and health courses with fieldwork and lab-based activities. Two week-long excursions will take you to community health facilities at rural border sites between Thailand and Myanmar to observe firsthand medical services and challenges.
These are only programs that target coursework in public and global health. Immersion, exchange, field studies, and international school programs should also have a selection of offerings to suit public health majors.
Immersion & Exchange Programs Suggested for Economics
1.
National Univ. of Singapore (NUS)
Highly ranked in nursing and medicine with coursework in epidemiology and health communication, NUS is a top choice for almost any student.
2.
Scottish Universities: Univ. of Edinburgh
With stong rankings in both medicine and nursing and course offerings like health communication, the Univ. of Edinburgh offers a world of opportunities to public health students.
3.
Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Teaching in English and with public health coursework in areas like epidemiology and great international rankings, CUHK offers a great learning opportunity in an urbanized environment.
4.
Irish Universities: Trinity College Dublin, Univ. College Cork
With a pair of highly ranked universities, the Irish Universities program offers public health majors a variety of courses to tackle major requirements and electives.
5.
Univ. of Copenhagen
With courses like epidemiology taught in English, Copenhagen is a favorite for students seeking a program in a socially progressive society.
6.
English Universities: Univ. of Warwick, Univ. of Manchester
With a pair of highly ranked universities, the English Universities program allows public health majors to choose from a variety of host universities and programs.
7.
National Taiwan Univ. (NTU)
With strong course offerings including health promotion, health communication, and epidemiology, NTU is an excellent fit for public health majors with Chinese 2, the equivalent, or beyond.
By no means is this list comprehensive, but you may also search additional program opportunities.
Completing Other SSHA Requirements Abroad
SSHA students, in general, can take advantage of the requirement to complete four (4) non-major upper-division general education courses—or equivalent—from SSHA areas as varied as English literature to economics. Most SSHA students complete one or more of these required courses while studying abroad. These courses must be reviewed through the SSHA course approval form (see below).
SSHA students must also complete a total of 60.0 semester units in order to graduate. SSHA students complete many of these units within their major but often need more and can complete these requirements abroad.
Course Approval and Course Approval Forms
With a few exceptions of previously approved courses (ask your academic advisor), courses will need to be approved to meet individual degree requirements. In these cases, students will use the Course Approval Form for the school that would typically offer such a course at UC Merced:
The school will usually require a syllabus or equivalent in order to do a review. Keep in mind that syllabi may be protected intellectual property of certain professors or universities and may not be publicly posted online. If it is a UC Center program, you may be able to acquire syllabi through your study abroad advisor. If the program is with a local host university and the course is not posted online, you may be able to inquire with the instructor or host university in some cases.
Academic Planning
No matter your academic intentions while studying abroad, you should consult your academic advisor in Natural Sciences and your MyAudit report to plan out your study abroad academic goals. Once you narrow your search to 1-3 study abroad programs consult your program page or ask your study abroad advisor about resources for researching courses in your program.