Worcester Polytechnic Institute

What you'll study

The programme combines core public-health concepts with quantitative methods and project-based learning. Typical core modules cover epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods and study design, health systems and policy, and the social determinants of health. Students work on applied projects or a research thesis and take elective modules that may include infectious disease epidemiology, non-communicable disease epidemiology, global health ethics, health informatics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for health, medical device design and implementation, and programme monitoring and evaluation.

Instruction emphasises practical skills: designing and analysing studies, deploying appropriate statistical and data-visualisation tools, developing interventions, and evaluating programme impact. All students complete a significant culminating experience—either a research thesis or a project-based practicum—often conducted in collaboration with faculty, community partners, industry or WPI’s global project centres. Coursework is taught through seminars, laboratory sessions, and team-based projects that mirror real-world global health challenges.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant discipline such as public health, biology, nursing, medicine, engineering, statistics, social sciences or a closely related field. Successful applicants typically demonstrate quantitative competence (through prior coursework or professional experience), academic achievement, and clear motivation for graduate study in global health.

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• A personal statement outlining academic and professional objectives in global health
• Letters of recommendation (usually two or three) from academic or professional referees
• A current CV or résumé detailing relevant experience
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English

WPI considers the overall strength of the application; professional experience in health, research, policy or international development can strengthen an application. Prospective students should consult the university for specific details about any additional requirements or options for conditional admission.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to careers across the public, private and non‑profit sectors. Typical roles include programme manager, epidemiologist or surveillance analyst, monitoring and evaluation specialist, research associate, health data analyst, policy analyst, and product or implementation specialist for health technologies. Alumni find positions with international and local NGOs, government public‑health agencies, multilateral organisations, research institutes, hospitals and health-tech companies. The programme also prepares students for further academic study, including PhD programs in public health, epidemiology, health policy or related fields.

Why study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI’s approach emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration and hands‑on, project-based learning—an advantage for students who want practical experience translating research into programmes and technologies. The institute pairs strengths in engineering, data analytics and applied science with public‑health training, enabling students to tackle technical and systems-level problems in global health.

Students benefit from opportunities to collaborate with faculty active in global health research, access to laboratory and computational resources, and connections to WPI’s global project centres and external partners that support practicum and project work. The programme’s focus on applied research and implementation prepares graduates to enter diverse professional environments where technical skills, cross-cultural competence and project experience are valued.