Global Child Health Master’s Program

Applications are open between August 30 and December 1, 2019. The program begins in July 2020.

Currently, the program can only accept applications from Tennessee residents and international (non-US) residents. 

How to Apply

Submit an online application and additional supplemental materials, including:

• a curriculum vitae describing in full detail your academic background, including degrees, work experience, awards, publications, presentations and other achievements
• three-page (single spaced, 11- or 12-point font) personal statement outlining:
  • your personal motivation for pursuing the MS in Global Child Health
  • what differentiates you as an applicant: (your strengths, areas to improve, research interests, academic interests, professional interests and leadership potential)
  •  your professional goals upon completion of the program, including how your past experiences and training have contributed to your future goals
  • why the MS in Global Child Health, at this point in your career, is the best way to attain those goals
• unofficial transcripts, copies of academic records, and degrees or diplomas from all post-secondary schools attended. These must be submitted via the online application. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified word-by-word, English translation and uploaded online during the application process.
  Please note: Official transcripts (or notarized copies of official transcripts) of academic records will be required for admitted candidates upon matriculation; these must be sent directly from the institution’s registrar’s office to the registrar of the Graduate School.
• letters of reference from three mentors, professors or supervisors. The letters must be submitted directly via the online application system and should describe your academic successes, professional background, potential for achievement at the graduate level and capacity for creative, self-directed study.
• Applicants that are non-native speakers of English may be required to take an English proficiency examination (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test). English language proficiency will be evaluated as part of the interview.  After the interview, should the Admissions Committee determine it necessary, an applicant may be required to take an English proficiency examination.  Applicants that have completed any post-secondary studies in English will be exempted from English-language testing.
  
  Results that are no more than three (3) years old from the TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test will be valid. Those asked to take an English proficiency examination will be required to score a 70 or higher on the TOEFL, a 6 or higher on the IELTS, or a 90 or higher on the Duolingo English Test.  Applicants who are asked to take an English proficiency exam can choose any of the three exams.

Applications that are incomplete or missing supporting documents will not be considered.

Approximate Admissions Timeline (2020 Entering Class)

Eligibility

Applicants must have one of the following combinations of academic credentials and work experience:

• an advanced degree in a health-related field and at least three years of relevant work experience
• bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience in a relevant health-related field (eg. epidemiology, global health, health and social behavior, health management or health policy).

Degrees must be awarded from an accredited institution from the U.S. or abroad.

Environment of Equal Opportunity

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences encourages diversity on campus and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran’s status, disabled veteran’s status or any other status protected by federal or Tennessee state law. The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that provides cultural and ethnic diversity. Underrepresented minorities are encouraged to apply to the program.

Funding and Support

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers a highly competitive package for accepted candidates. Institutional funding for the duration of the program includes:

• a full tuition scholarship of $20,000 annually to cover the cost of the program
• airfare, meals and lodging expenses for on-campus intersessions
• laptop and IT support for the duration of studies
• access to online learning resources

Disability Resources

The Graduate School has an obligation under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations for students, who self-identify with having disabilities.  The Graduate School offers qualified students with disabilities the opportunity for success through equal access and the means to participate in curricular and extracurricular activities. We provide individually tailored, comprehensive disability support services and programs in accordance with Federal and State disability law. We strive to create an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment for all students, and promote awareness and equity for all in our campus community.

An administrative committee of Graduate School Deans will be formed on a case-by-case basis, to evaluate the provided disability documentation and determine eligibility for accommodations and implement reasonable accommodations for enrolled students.

An Integrated Learning Environment

The Global Child Health program maximizes student potential through guided learning with mentorship by world-renowned faculty. Students find that the program integrates academic training and experiential learning, with online classes for academic credit blended with on-campus programming. Students build an understanding of current and future developments in global child health.

During the program, students learn to:

• collect, analyze and synthesize relevant data to generate evidence using scientific analytical frameworks
• demonstrate knowledge of child health issues, socioeconomic and political determinants and approaches to management and control of diseases
• conduct analyses of disease burdens, and evaluate intervention strategies and approaches that address major child health issues, characterizing them within the context of health systems
• demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, structures and implementation principles of global health systems, and application of lessons learned in different countries
• develop evidence-based programs and policies from conception through innovative thinking and solutions that will strengthen health systems and address catastrophic childhood illnesses
• apply leadership and management tools to effectively and efficiently implement programs and policies
• enable positive change to strengthen health systems, improve health of children globally and reduce health inequities

The program provides students learning opportunities to identify and implement the necessary systems level changes that improve the treatment and care of childhood cancers and catastrophic illnesses. These competencies empower the students to apply their education at the local, regional and global level, across multiple settings, and to accomplish identified goals in complex settings.

Core Competencies

The competency-based curriculum focuses on basic and applied research skills, global health systems and innovation and population science, tailored to the context of child health. The program equips students with a distinctive blend of:

• knowledge, tools and skills to assemble and assimilate scientific evidence
• applied analytical tools and integrative thinking to develop evidence-based policies and programs
• leadership and management skills to bring about positive change

Students are trained in three core competency domains: foundational knowledge, translational tools and implementation skills. Foundational knowledge includes training in the fundamentals of biostatistics and epidemiology, social sciences and child health issues in the context of global health and health systems. Students learn to translate their foundational knowledge into applied research, and evidence-based policies and programs. Implementation skills ultimately guide students towards becoming agents of change by strengthening their communication, leadership and management abilities.

Coursework

Credit-bearing courses

Each course is delivered online through two weekly sessions of direct instruction, a maximum of three hours per week and an estimated six hours per week of out-of-class preparation over 15 to 16 weeks. Assignments are also posted online, and students complete and upload them to the course website within a stipulated time. Some courses may include group activities and team projects to foster a sense of community and collaboration.

Instructors are available during office hours and by appointment. Multiple ways of communicating are available, although the primary mode is through emails with occasional video chats.

Non-credit courses, on-site programming

Students have mandatory non-credit workshops and seminars during their on-campus visits to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Orientation and visits during subsequent winter and summer intersessions focus on:

1. Learning Online, which includes components of online learning, analysis of different types of learning environments and assisting the students plan for a personal learning environment. It helps identify areas of personal adjustment and time management required for success in online learning.
2. Leadership and Management addressing issues related to self-mastery, team building, organizational and systems level leadership and conflict management.
3. Communication with focus on public speaking, persuasive presentations and effective writing, including basic principles of effective prose and argument in advocacy and opinion pieces and policy writing.
4. Ethics in Global Health, with presentations on ethical principles of scientific research, clinical care and global health.

The thesis seminar supports students in producing a thesis of high academic standard, guiding them through structured and collaborative approaches to develop a project idea. Students are introduced to the challenges of writing and presenting a thesis and provided resources to support them through the process. They learn to review scientific literature, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, design action plans, develop proposals and write a final thesis.   

A thesis adviser is assigned to each student to provide supportive supervision.

Master's Thesis

The thesis is the culmination of studies and the primary locus for translation of knowledge and skills that students acquired through the program. A selection of theses are considered for funding by the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine of St. Jude Children’s Hospital, after successful degree completion.

The thesis will have two main components:

• A project proposal addressing a global child health issue, with background, justification, process and measurable results expected to make positive change. Impact may be achieved through direct action to improve outcomes in populations and organizations or the creation of significant translational action that has potential to influence the change. This includes creating, implementing or evaluating a child health initiative; managing and enhancing existing initiatives; developing an organization’s strategy or policy initiatives; or conducting relevant applied research in select locations.
• A personal journey statement designed to be an opportunity for the student to reflect on personal growth and development that has occurred throughout the program.

Meet the staff of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Learn about the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine.