Centers

Global Health Center

Changing Lives Around the World.

Penn State College of Medicine provides educational opportunities for students interested in international health, including challenges that commonly present a greater burden to disadvantaged populations.

World Map with Penn State crest in Pa. and dotted lines going to Peru, Taiwan, Senegal, Ghana and Zambia.

International Pathway for MD Students

Students accepted into the Global Health Scholars Pathway take two immersive month-long trips to one of our partner sites: Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Ghana, India, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Vietnam and Zambia.

The first trip is primarily an introduction to the community, during which you’ll develop a community health project. During the second trip, occurring in your senior year, you’ll participate in clinical care at the same location.

You’ll receive pre-trip safety sessions, in-country medical education specific to the site, and several sessions by our faculty on global- and community health-related issues. About a quarter of first-year students apply, and 80 percent of those are typically accepted.

Global Health Scholars Pathway

A Pa. map with Penn State shield in south central Pa., and dotted lines reaching out to three icons in western Pennsylvania.

Domestic Pathway for MD Students

MD Students accepted into the Rural Health Scholars Pathway work with community partners and marginalized patients in Pennsylvania. The 4-year longitudinal program seeks to equip the next generation of rural health champions in medicine.

There will be a summer experience between your first and second year of medical school, an immersive month experience in your senior year where you’ll participate in clinical care, and you will complete a community health project.

You’ll receive medical education specific to your track, sessions by our faculty on global health, community health, law and advocacy topics, and ongoing mentorship.

Rural Health Scholars

Experiences for Public Health Students

Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students have several global health experiences available through Penn State College of Medicine.

Global Health Certificate

The Global Health Certificate is for students who are interested in advancing their knowledge and skills in key global health competencies and can be done while pursuing a Master of Public Health or Doctor of Public Health degree. The certificate requires 12 credits from two required and two elective courses.

Global Health Certificate

Global Health Case Competition

Each year, a team of students from the College of Medicine, Penn State University Park and Dickinson Law participate in the Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition. The competition poses a hypothetical public health crisis for teams to solve. Presentations are judged by a panel of experts.

Global Health Case Competition

Global Health Exchange Program

Each summer, students in the MPH and DrPH programs have the opportunity to travel abroad to study public health topics. These experiences can fulfill the programs' practicum requirements. Students who are unable to travel globally have the opportunity to participate in domestic, global-health-focused learning opportunities.

Global Health Exchange

Additional Information and Contacts

Established in 2008, under the leadership of founding director Benjamin Fredrick, MD, the Global Health Center is an interdisciplinary unit that provides organization and oversight for educational, service, community research and clinical care activities in global health.