Field Experiences are a hallmark of the Global Health programs at UW-Madison and a unique opportunity for students to explore global health issues outside the classroom, engage with community partners, and learn from experts and practitioners in the field.  Field experiences range from 1 to 4 credits and are educational programs, not volunteer opportunities.  All certificate students should carefully review our Field Experience page to ensure that they find the right program and do not miss any application deadlines. 

Yes, all students in the Certificate in Global Health program are required to compete a Field Experience. Field Experiences are encouraged (but optional) for students in the Global Health Major and can be used to satisfy depth course requirements.

No. While many students complete an international field experience, many other students complete their Field Experience requirement locally in Madison or Wisconsin through courses on campus or through programs like Wisconsin Express. Check out our Field Experience page to explore both local and international options.

Maybe, as this depends on the semester program you select. There are over 15 approved semester and summer-length programs in Europe, Latin America and Africa with courses that satisfy the Field Experience requirement. Students going on other semester-length programs can sometimes complete certificate electives abroad, but it can be harder to find other programs that match the learning objectives of the Field Experience requirement. Students considering studying abroad for a semester are encouraged to consult their Global Health advisor.

Yes, the credits for your field experience count towards your required 9 credits of Global Health Electives. 

No, courses taken pass/fail are not able to satisfy certificate requirements, nor can they be used to meet specific major, college, or university requirements (e.g. Comm A, Ethnic St., Humanities, etc.). Students must earn a grade of C or higher to count a course for the certificate Detailed pass/fail policies can be found here.

Yes, courses in the approved curriculum for the program will satisfy requirements regardless of whether or not you took the course before formally declaring. If a course is not counting correctly in DARS then students should contact their advisor.

Yes, while exceptions for UW-Madison courses are uncommon, curricular exceptions are permitted if appropriate and learning outcomes are aligned. Students should consult their advisor and submit a syllabus via the ‘certificate course exception request form’ on the forms page.

No, your certificates must be completed before or alongside your major and degree requirements. They are not permitted to delay graduation, and cannot be awarded after graduation.

No, Nutr Sci 203 ‘Introduction to Global Health’ must be completed here at the UW-Madison campus.

UW-Madison equivalencies for study abroad courses taken by past students are listed on the IAP program pages, and courses with direct equivalencies to courses in the certificate will automatically count in DARS once posted. Courses without a direct equivalency or not yet taken by other students may still be able to count for certificate requirements, so students should consult their advisor when considering what courses to take abroad and how the equivalency process works.

To review how courses from other institutions transfer to UW-Madison we recommend using the Transferology database and resources from the Registrar’s Course Equivalency Service (CES). For more information please visit the CES website.

Yes, it is possible for courses without a UW-Madison equivalent that transferred as electives to count for a requirement in the certificate. Students should consult their advisor and submit a syllabus via the ‘certificate course exception request form’ on the forms page.

If you are graduating soon we recommend:
1. Ideally 6-9 months (or at least 1-2 months) ahead of time you should Apply to Graduate.
2. Run your DARS prior to the start of your final semester to ensure you will have satisfied all requirements.
3. At least 1-2 months before graduation check the Commencement website to learn about attire rental and other important details.
4. Join the Global Health LinkedIn Group to connect with the expanding professional network of Global Health alumni.
5. Complete the Global Health Certificate Exit Survey (emailed to all graduating seniors).
6. Attend the Global Health Graduation Reception (info emailed to all graduating seniors).

There is no single student organization for Global Health majors or certificates, but there are any organizations related to global health that students become involved in. Check out our ‘Getting Involved’ section for ideas, and explore the vast array of student organizations on the Wisconsin Involvement Network.

There are many opportunities for Global Health students to get involved outside the classroom – from field experiences and volunteer opportunities, to internships and fellowship programs. Check out our ‘Field Experience’, ‘Getting Involved’, and ‘Career’ sections to explore different opportunities that may interest you.

Certificate in Global Health alumni pursue a wide variety of careers. Students can become healthcare professionals well-informed about the systems that impact patient health. They can become epidemiologists or research scientists in academia or with government agencies, or community health professionals working on policy, education, or communication for governmental agencies or non-governmental organizations anywhere in the world. To explore career paths that may interest you we recommending exploring our ‘Careers’ section and connecting with career advising services on campus.