Application Process

Application process

Acceptance into the Global Health Minor requires completing an application, which includes a questionnaire and two recommendation letters. Students are then selected by a faculty committee in February.

It is highly recommended that prior to applying, students attend at least one information session, which are scheduled between September and early February.

Applications for the Global Health Minor are due by Feb. 15, 2027. Students typically apply during their second year, with coursework beginning junior year.

Personal statement (500 words maximum): In preparing your personal statement, please use the following questions as a guide only.
1. How did you come to develop an interest in global health? If possible, provide a concrete example of a past event or experience that stimulated your interest in global health issues and made you aware of your interest in pursuing this line of study.
2. What benefits, personal and/or professional, do you hope to gain from developing better skills and knowledge of global health issues and interventions?
3. Describe a personal characteristic that you have, which you feel makes you a strong candidate for representing Penn State as a global health student.
Where do you see yourself professionally in five years’ time? (300 words maximum)
How will completion of the Global Health Minor assist you in achieving your professional goals? (300 words maximum)
A required course for the minor is a five-week field placement in Africa, South America or Europe. The setting may be very modest with shared rooms, few amenities, an unfamiliar language, and irregular internet access. Please describe a time when you had to be flexible and adjust to an unfamiliar environment. If you have not experienced this, please describe how you might expect to adjust to this situation. (300 words maximum)
In your own words, what makes you an interesting person? (300 words maximum)

Apply to the Global Health Minor

Please note that you can start the application and return to complete it later; your information will be saved.

Start your application

Attending an information session

Students are encouraged to attend an information session and follow up with the minor director with any additional questions. Information sessions will focus on the goals of the minor, the fieldwork experience, and the application process.

Upcoming sessions

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5-6 p.m., 401 Health and Human Development Building
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5-6 p.m., via Zoom

Scheduling an appointment

To schedule an appointment, contact the director of the Global Health Minor. During this appointment, you can learn more about the minor and ask additional questions. If you are a current student in the minor and have questions about your study plan or schedule, you can also schedule an appointment.

Joshua G. Rosenberger

Associate Professor of Biobehavioral Health
Director of the Survey Research Center
Director of the Global Health Minor

Summary Statement

Joshua Rosenberger’s research focuses on the utilization of technologies as a methodological tool for the promotion of sexual health among men.

Department

Biobehavioral Health - BBH

Phone

814-865-8120

jgr17@psu.edu

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Application Process