Global health is improving health for everyone
Global health is about improving health for everyone, while considering the connections among people, animals, plants, and the planet.
As a Global Health major you will:
- Analyze the root cause of diseases around the world through an understanding of how human health interacts with economic development, healthcare access, food systems, epidemiology, environmental health, and climate change
- Integrate empathy, cultural awareness, and collaborative approaches to the study of human health
- Develop a global perspective for tackling health challenges with foundations in both biosciences and social sciences
Career Paths
Global health graduates are prepared for local and international careers in medicine, research, public health, education, the nonprofit sector, and more.
Here are just a few examples of what our global health graduates are doing with their careers:
What CALS alumni do:
Physician
Nurse
Occupational Therapist
Patient Care Technician
Physical Therapist
Surgeon
Where CALS alumni work:
SSM Health
UW Health
Mayo Clinic
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
Access Community Health Center
What CALS alumni do:
Analyst
Clinical Research Coordinator
Metrics Support
Project Manager
Where CALS alumni work:
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
US Department of Veteran Affairs
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
What CALS alumni do:
Development Coordinator
Project Manager
Analyst
Metrics Support
Where CALS alumni work:
Clean Lakes Alliance
Feeding Mouths Filling Minds
Farmers Market Coalition
What CALS alumni do:
Research Assistant
Analyst
Associate Production Scientist
Clinical Research Coordinator
Where CALS alumni work:
Epic
Millipore Sigma
Exact Sciences
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
What can CALS offer you?
CALS students are curious to discover how our living world works and are passionate about using science to improve it.
Our programs span five areas of study and encourage students to pursue their passions in the classroom and beyond. Learn more about how our students are set up for success:
- Scholarships
- Career Services
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- QuickStart – online, summer program for first-year students
Want to learn more about global health?
Explore admission requirements, course offerings, 4-year plans, and more on UW–Madison’s undergraduate Guide.
Your CALS Experience
Learn outside the lecture hall
Step outside of the classroom with global health field experience courses, where you’ll have the chance to learn from community partners and experts in the field. You could explore how the way cities are designed impact public health, teach elementary students the importance of nutrition and food equity, and so much more.
Study abroad and gain global perspective
See the world and complement what you’re learning in the classroom while on your way to becoming an informed global citizen. Choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as a global health major!
Learn about indigenous knowledge and environmental health in Ecuador, community health and health disparity in Nepal, sustainable food system in Italy, and so much more.
46%
Students who participate in research
372+
Alumni since 2020
36%
Students who study abroad
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
345 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
globalhealthadvising@wisc.edu
(608) 262-3492
Want to learn more about global health?