Global Public Healthandthe Common Good

Public health is the science and art of protecting the health of populations. Its mission is to enhance health, prevent disease, reduce disparities, extend longevity for all people, and safeguard the health of cities, states, and nations.

In this program, you will gain a deep understanding of the theory and practice of public health and prepare for graduate study in medicine, nursing, public health, health policy, law, and international relations or for a career in business, social work and public health practice.

Contact

Global Public Health and the Common Good

publichealth@bc.edu
648 Higgins Hall
617-552-2187

An Innovative New Program

Bringing Global Public Health to BC

The Connell School introduces a new interdisciplinary major.

Global Public Health and the Common Good major

The program emphasizes the scientific and social dimensions of public health.

At a Glance


12 courses
36 credits


Two-semester capstone project in a community-based setting


11 student-run organizations dedicated to key issues in Global Public Health


Strong emphasis on the ethical and moral foundations of public health

Distinctive Features

Rigorous

You will receive a rigorous education that places public health education in a highly interdisciplinary, liberal arts context. This will enable you to explore public health’s connections to history, sociology, literature, engineering, art, economics, and political science.

Jesuit, Catholic Tradition

This major, which draws on Boston College’s Jesuit, Catholic tradition and Pope Francis’ teaching inLaudato Si’, will strongly emphasize the ethical and moral foundations of public health and the intersection between public health, social justice, and care for our Common Home.

Flexible Career Options

You will be prepared to serve the public health needs on a global capacity, in addition to local, regional, and national communities.

Academic Program

This program is a collaboration between the Connell School of Nursing and the Schiller Institute for Science and Society.

Coursework in the major will be grounded in epidemiology and biostatistics, the core disciplines of public health. You will gain intellectual and experiential understanding of the social determinants of health—the complex web of social, economic, environmental, political, and historical factors that influence health and drive the spread of disease.
The major will consist of 36 academic credits, equivalent to 12 full-semester courses.

In addition to the Major coursework, all Global Public Health and the Common Good major studentsmust complete the Boston College Core Curriculum. Theundergraduate Core is a set of 15 required courses that give students exposure to a wide range of subjects. for more general information on the BC Core.

Major students must also complete the Boston CollegeLanguage Proficiency Requirement, which requiresdemonstration of intermediate-level proficiency in a modern or classical language in order to graduate.for more information on language proficiency.

8

Required Courses

Course #Course Name
PHCG/NURS 1210

Public Health in a Global Society

An overview of the history of public health, global burden of disease, sub-disciplines of public health, maternal/child health, and nutrition, and the collaborative nature of the field through examples in research and practice, focusing on at-risk populations, reducing health disparities, and improving health equity at the population level.

PHCG 2120

Introduction to Epidemiology

This course introduces basic principles and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. Measures of disease frequency, association and causation, the design and analysis of studies, and the potential issues that may arise in these studies are addressed.

PHCG 3560

Biostatistics, Data Analytics and Quantitative Methods in Public Health

This course covers descriptive and inferential statistics used in biomedical and public health studies, with emphasis on practice and implementation. Descriptive statistics, probability, basic hypothesis testing, ANOVA, and linear and logistic regression will be covered.

PHCG/THEO 3223

Ethics of Global Public Health and the Common Good

A new course that will explore the social, economic, historical and political determinants of health.

PHCG 3600

Health Inequities: Origins and Remedies

Disease is not distributed evenly or randomly within societies, but instead is concentrated among people of color, the poor and the marginalized. This course will examine the social, economic, political and historical factors that drive disparities in health and explore strategies to overcome these structural injustices.

PHCG 2130

Global Public Health Law

This course will examine the critical role of law in creating and implementing social policy and achieving (or at least seeking) social justice.

PHCG 3300

Global Health: Theory to Practice

In this course, students will learn how to apply the theories and practices learned in other global health courses by working through practical case studies involving real-life global health problems.

PHCG 3810

Public Health Planning, Practice, and Evaluation

A new course which will include didactic material and case studies on leadership, advocacy, project implementation and evaluation, and community partnerships. Classroom teaching will be complemented with community engagement.


2

Courses for Required Capstone Project

Senior Capstone Experience:

PHCG4975andPHCG4976:You will complete a 2-semester, 6-credit, interdisciplinary Capstone Experience in your senior year. The equivalent of two courses, this Capstone will be the culmination of your undergraduate experience and will allow you to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting. A faculty mentor will provide guidance as you work with a community-based organization identified by CSON’s Office of Clinical Placements and Community Partnerships. Individually or paired with another student, you will work in and with a community to:

  • identify a community-level public health problem
  • undertake a rigorous analysis of its origins and health effects, and
  • devise feasible and cost-effective solutions that are acceptable to the community.

The resulting project—a scholarly report, video, or other academic output—will describe the project, your approach to it, and its outcome. This final product will be of a quality suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed biomedical journal or for regional or national presentation.


2

Electives

Electives:

You will choose two electives from an extensive list of courses.

Notice to our PreHealth Students:

Students applyingtomedical, dental, or veterinary programs in the United States calculatea science GPA that includes all BCPM (Biology,Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) courses.

It is the belief of the Global Public Health and the Common Good program faculty that, in accordance with the guidelines outlined by AMCAS, the courses listed below should be reported in your “BCPM” GPA when applying through AMCAS. Whenfiling an application, PreHealth students should read the instructions on the AMCAS or AACOMAS application carefully, as policies may change.

  • PHCG2120 Introduction to Epidemiology
  • PHCG3120 Cancer Epidemiology
  • PHCG3560 Biostatistics, Data Analytics and QuantitativeMethods in Public Health
  • PHCG4140 Children's Health and the Environment

As a graduate from this program, you will be prepared for:

  • graduate study in medicine, nursing, public health, health policy, law, and international relations or
  • a career in business, social work and public health practice

You will learn how the health of populations affects economic growth and alters the destiny of nations. You will acquire knowledge of key elements of public health: disease prevention; health promotion; survey design; community assessment; data collection, management, and analysis; policy development; outbreak investigation and control; infection dynamics; project implementation; grant writing, public health communication; and leadership.

The acceptance to the Global Public Healthand the Common Good program is by application, which occursin January annually. The best way to stay informed of all things related to the Global Public Health program, is to subscribe to our newsletter.

Admittance to the major and minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good is by application. Students can apply in the Spring semester of either their freshman or sophomore year. Rising seniors will be consideredonlyif they have already fulfilled many of the course requirements for the minor.

We seek a broad range of students from programs and schools across Boston College to apply.

  • We invite pre-health and nursing students who wish to understand how the health of populations informs the care of individual patients.
  • We invite students from the humanities, business, economics, environmental science, pre-law, political science, international studies and other majors who wish to learn how the health of populations and the social, political, economic and environmental determinants of health and disease influence public policy, drive economic growth, and shape the destiny of nations.

Students who wish to apply to the program are encouraged to takePublic Health in a Global Society(NURS1210cross-listed asPHCG1210)before applying. This course is open to students in all schools at Boston College, but it is not required to apply to the program.

Please contactpublichealth@bc.eduwith any questions regarding the application.

Accelerated Master of Public Health Pathway for Boston College Undergraduates

The Tufts Accelerated Master of Public Health (MPH) Pathway for Boston College undergraduates allows BC students to earn up to 12 Tufts MPH credits while still working toward their Bachelor’s degree at BC. Accelerated Pathway students will generally major or minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good, although other BC students with appropriate backgrounds may also be eligible.

Boston College students who enroll in this program and are accepted by Tufts may matriculate into the Tufts MPH program following their graduation from BC and may be able to to complete their MPH in as little as one year, as long as all other requirements for the degree have been satisfied and students remain in good standing. This will save students considerable time and tuition.

Requirements:
BC undergraduates planning to enroll in the Accelerated MPH Pathway are expected to complete:

  • Two eligible courses (6 credits) from BC’s Global Public Health and the Common Good program. These 6 credits may count toward both the BC Bachelor’s and Tufts MPH degrees

    AND

  • Two eligible courses (6 credits) of Tufts MPH coursework which may be completed in person or online at Tufts. These courses may be available through the Boston Consortium and earn credit towards the Tufts MPH once satisfactorily graduating from BC and then matriculating at Tufts MPH. Grades and credits from these courses are eligible towards student’s BC undergraduate degree. The Boston Consortium allows for 1 course per semester (spring and fall only, no summer classes).

Students must enroll in the Accelerated MPH Pathway version of the BC courses at the beginning of the semester, before the add/drop date. Each of these courses will have one more assignment than the regular undergraduate class and will be given a specially designated graduate level course number. The extra assignment will be at the instructor’s discretion and will be defined at the start of the semester. BC students interested in the Accelerated MPH Pathway must register for the Accelerated MPH Pathway courses at the beginning of the semester. Students cannot retroactively declare a course to designate for the Accelerated MPH Pathway program.

The BC courses, currently eligible for Tufts MPH elective credit upon matriculation into the MPH Program, include:

  • PHCG7130 Global Public Health Law (undergraduate course PHCG2130)
  • PHCG7120 Cancer Epidemiology (undergraduate course PHCG3120)
  • PHCG7210 Contemporary Issues in Public Health (undergraduate course PHCG3210)
  • PHCG7300 Global Health: Theory to Practice (undergraduate course PHCG3330)
  • PHCG7425 Food Policy and Health (undergraduate course PHCG3425)
  • PHCG7810 Public Health Planning, Practice and Evaluation (undergraduate course PHCG3810)
  • PHCG7050 The Law, Policy and Politics of Women's Health (undergraduate course PHCG4050)
  • PHCG7140 Children's Health and the Environment (undergraduate course PHCG4140)

Options for Tufts MPH courses that BC students may take at Tufts include:

  • PH202 Public Health Assessment: Data, Determinants, and Systems
  • PH203 Public Health Action: Programs, Policy, and Advocacy
  • PH210 Law in Public Health
  • PH268 Social Marketing

Syllabi for these courses can be found .

Courses can be taken either on campus or online, as approved jointly by the Accelerated Pathway Director at Tufts and Directors of the Global Public Health Program at Boston College. BC students should direct questions related to cross-registration process/questions for Boston Consortium classes to academicservices@bc.edu.

How to Apply:
This program is only open to BC undergraduate students in good standing. Admission to the MPH program will be based upon:


1) Performance in Global Public Health and the Common Good courses.
2) Performance in all other courses completed at BC and other colleges and universities attended.
3) Commitment to a public health career, as evidenced by the written application and impressions of the Global Health advisor at BC.
4) Strength of letters of recommendation.
5) Evidence of ability to complete up to 12 credits of graduate work by graduation from BC, as evidenced by a proposed plan of study.

Application Deadlines:
BC students can apply for the MPH Accelerated Pathway no earlier than the spring of their sophomore year and no later than April 1st of their junior year (class of 2025 students may apply with an application deadline of October 15, 2024). Notification of acceptance to the program is generally 3-4 weeks of receiving a completed application.


Application Requirements:

  • BC Application
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement (500-750 words)

Personal Statement:
The personal statement is intended to provide the student the opportunity to submit a narrative describing past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. The statement should describe the student’s:

  • Reasons for interest in public health
  • Reasons for interest in the BC/Tufts Accelerated Pathway Program
  • Career goals

The GRE is not required.

Letters of Recommendation:
Three letters of recommendation are required.

  • Recommendation letters must be submitted electronically through the application
  • Letters should be primarily academic in nature, and should mention the relationship of the applicant to the recommender so that their observations can be put into the proper context

Transcripts:

  • Copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required for review
  • We accept both unofficial and official transcripts. Generally, applications will be processed sooner if unofficial transcripts are uploaded to the application. However, please note that prior to matriculation, a final, official transcript, with a date of undergraduate degree conferral, will be required.

To send official transcripts from BC and any other college or university attended:

  • For unofficial transcripts, upload to the transcripts section of the application
  • Official transcripts may be mailed to the address below, or sent from the school or an official third-party service electronically to tusmgp.admissions@tufts.edu

Transcripts are only considered official if they are sent directly from your college or university’s registrar's office to our office in a sealed envelope. All supporting application credentials noted above should be sent to:

Tufts University School of Medicine
Attn: Tufts University School of Medicine Graduate Programs Admissions
136 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111


Tuition Costs for the BC Accelerated Pathway:

The tuition rates for 2024–2025 academic year* will apply to students enrolled in the MPH Accelerated Pathway from Fall, 2024 through Summer, 2025. Those rates can be located here: .

Full-time students will be billed by Tufts Public Health program at the tuition rate listed above.

The current academic year's cost of attendance budget (including not only tuition, but room and board, health insurance, books etc.) is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

*Tuition rates and fees are effective as of July 2024. Note that program cost is set each academic year (June to May) and typically increases a small amount from year-to-year. The Trustees of Tufts University reserve the right to change tuition rates or fees at their discretion.

Career Opportunities for BC’s MPH Accelerated Pathway Students:

Tufts’ MPH Program has an active and robust Career Services Department. Starting as soon as matriculation, students are enrolled in STEP (Skills and Tools for Engaged Practice) where the instructor will serve as academic advisor and work with the student to ascertain and achieve career goals. In close collaboration with the student’s STEP instructor is Career Services which constantly updates project, internship, and career opportunities for Tufts’ MPH students.


Tufts’ MPH degree graduates often find entry into several kinds of careers. Core courses give students foundational knowledge in public health, while concentration requirements and the APE/ILE provide a focus in a particular public health field. Graduates may go on to positions in data collection and analysis, program development and/or evaluation for community health projects, research, policy making or creating health communication campaigns. Public health work is found in all market sectors, and opportunities may available in organizations working at the local, national and international level.


For More Information:

For more Admissions or general information, please contact ph.admissions@tufts.edu

For more program information, please contact the MPH Accelerated Pathway Directors: Philip Landrigan (landrigp@bc.edu) Kimberly Dong (kmiberly.dong@tufts.edu).

Faculty

Connell School of Nursing

Law School

Lynch School of Education and Human Development

Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences

School of Social Work

Student Ambassadors, 2023–2024

Because of their merit and passion for public health, GPHCG Student Ambassadors have been selected to represent the program at BC and beyond. It is their job to lead the next generation of public health professionals and help create meaningful impact in their communities.

Scholarship

Undergraduate Research

In the Undergraduate Research Fellows (UGRF) program, undergraduates pair with research-intensive faculty and their teams to work on scholarly projects. They are financially compensated for their time and effort. CSON supports approximately 50 research placements for undergraduate students each year. Many UGRFs contribute substantially to scientific products including presentations and published abstracts and papers.

Faculty Research

Studentsare invited to learn about our research and to become involved in projects of significant importance to modern societies.

Areas of major research interest within the program are:

  • The spread of pandemics,
  • Nutrition and health.
  • Health impacts of pollution and climate change,and
  • The ethical and legal foundations of public health

FAQ

Print
Developing this major at Boston College is aligned with our mission to use our education and knowledge in service to others – in this case, to serve people and communities through global public health.
Katherine Gregory, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dean, William F. Connell School of Nursing
Dean Kate Gregory

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