Global Health

Why Choose Global Health at York U?

Be empowered to tackle complex global challenges and make a meaningful impact on health equity worldwide.

• Explore global health through science, social sciences, and humanities perspective.
• Benefit from small class sizes and research opportunities.
• Develop teamwork and public engagement skills to advocate, collaborate across sectors and regions, and drive global health equity.
• Participate in Globally Learning strategies where you can learn with and from students and faculty from across the world.
• Experience different ways to showcase your learning, including tests, video presentations, podcasts, documentaries, and many more.

Degree Options

We offer both an honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) and honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) option. Both share the same core requirements (48 credits). However, BSc students take additional math, science, and computer science courses while BA students have more flexibility with those credits.

Students can apply directly to the Honours BA [OUAC program code: YHS] and Honours BSc [OUAC program code: YHT].

Specialized Honours in Global Health

The Specialized Honours (BA and BSc) option is open to current students who meet the GPA requirement and seek a practicum experience. It includes all the core courses of the Honours program, with an additional 12 credits in practicum preparation, placement, and a research capstone (60 credits). Students must also complete at least 21 credits in one of the following areas of concentration:

• Global Health and the Environment
• Global e-Health
• Global Health Law, Policy, and Governance
• Global Health: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

Current students can submit a program request change to the Specialized Honours (BA/BSc).

Sample Courses

Admission Requirements

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Students in the Global Health program have opportunities to apply their classroom learning through diverse experiential education settings, including:

• Case studies and simulations
• Advanced training in research methods
• Research opportunities both at York U and in the community
• International exchanges
• Summer abroad courses

4th-Year Practicum

As part of the Specialized Honours (BA or BSc) in Global Health, students will complete a practicum during the second semester of their fourth year. This 11-week, research- or practice-based placement is designed to bridge theory and practice in various health-related settings. Practicum placements can be completed locally in Toronto or with our international partners in countries such as Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and South Africa, offering students a truly global perspective on health issues.

Careers in Global Health

The Global Health program prepares students for diverse professional pathways. Some of our graduates pursue advanced studies (Master’s, PhD) or professional schools, such as medicine, law, or public health. Many also enter the workforce directly, thriving in fields like policy analysis, health education, global health promotion, international development, medicine, and research.

Pathway to Professional and Medical School

Planning to pursue professional studies such as medicine or law?  Both the BA and the BSc in Global Health can be used as preparation for professional school.  Some of the benefits include:

• A unique degree combining science, social science, and humanities perspectives
• Core curriculum includes common prerequisites such as statistics, anatomy, physiology, and social science courses
• A tight-knit program fostering closer connections with professors and potential academic references
• Research opportunities to enhance and differentiate professional school applications