Training
The Center for Global Health Impact promotes student engagement in global health through internships, service opportunities, and courses. These opportunities go beyond the classroom by challenging students from all academic and demographic backgrounds to create practical solutions to global health issues.
Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
Pandemics! The Science of Disease Spread, Prevention, and Control
Dr. Eric G. Bing's course Pandemics! The Science of Disease Spread, Prevention, and Control (APSM/ANTH/MNO 4344) gives SMU students the basic tools they need to understand the many factors that drive disease spread. It also teaches students how local and global communities can combat pandemics.
This interdisciplinary course offers an interactive, participatory overview of epidemiological principles, using real-world infectious and social pandemics as a backdrop. Through a series of case studies, guest speakers, discussions, and live debates, students will study pandemics, evaluate epidemiological research, and develop evidence-based pandemic response strategies.
To understand and combat pandemics, students must think outside the box, using insights from diverse academic disciplines. Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply; no background in health is required. This course is a capstone for the Health & Society major.
More information on the Spring 2025 course is available in the course flyer. Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply: no background in health is required. The course is offered in alternating years.
Creating Impact in Global and Public Health
Dr. Eric G. Bing's innovative Creating Impact in Global and Public Health course (ANTH 4345/6345, APSM 4355, MNO 4345) prepares students to analyze and develop solutions for complex public health challenges. The course culminates in the Battle to Save Lives, a public case competition in which students advocate for solutions to a real-world problem faced by a local organization. Learn more about the Battle to Save Lives in this video.
The course trains students to analyze and develop solutions for public health challenges. Given that public health is a deeply interdisciplinary field, the course will approach the topic from several nontraditional angles: the social, biological, and management sciences, humanities and the arts.
More information on the Spring 2024 course is available in the course flyer. We are seeking applications from highly engaged students with diverse perspectives; no background in public health is required. The course is offered in alternating years.
Majors and Programs
Health and Society Major
The Health and Society major is designed for students who are interested in the practice and study of medicine in global and cultural contexts. This interdisciplinary major provides future professionals with critical thinking skills, an awareness of the complexity of global health care systems, and the skills necessary for recognizing the social and economic variables that create patterns of disease.
Pre-Health Program
The Pre-Health program, offered through the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, is a preparatory program for students who plan to pursue admission to graduate-level professional programs. It provides a path to ensure that students are ready and eligible for admission into the health professional school of their choice.
Center for Global Health Impact Internships
Some semesters and summers, the Center offers internships; information will be posted here. Email globalhealthimpact@smu.edu if you would like to be notified when internships are available.
External Opportunities in Global and Public Health
Volunteering with Unite for Sight
Unite for Sight's Global Impact Corps offers students and professionals a hands-on, immersive, and unique opportunity to volunteer abroad in global health. Its efforts are currently focused in Ghana, India, and Honduras. More information and application here.
Fellowships with Global Health Corps
Global Health Corps is committed to building the next generation of diverse health leaders. They offer a range of paid year-long fellowship positions with health organizations in Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, the United States, and Zambia. More information and application here.