Information Sessions

To be announced

Admission Criteria

The Department of Global Health recruits students who wish to pursue a long-term career in global health, whether in academic institutions, ministries of health, non-governmental organizations, or the private sector. All indicators of future success, including past work, service, and research experience; the level of enthusiasm and detail in letters of recommendation; previous academic records; the applicant's written statement of purpose; and an ability to discuss research or practice work and future goals, are reviewed and considered by our admission committee.  

• Applicants must satisfy UW Graduate School minimum admissions requirements 
• Hold a master's or doctoral degree in public health ,medicine, nursing, or a related field such as social work or other health sciences
• Minimum 7 years experience in global health program or policy experience, preferably in a low or middle-income country  (at least 5 years of which are non-clinical)
• GRE scores are not required 

Additional Factors Considered Include:

• Work and service experience 
• Letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s work, academic, and leadership professional 
• Personal statement 
• Ability to discuss research/practice work and future goals 
• Alignment between applicant’s interests and goals and the DrGH program objectives 

Highly Competitive Applicants Will Demonstrate:   

• Interest in evidence-based global health practice and leadership development  
• Intellectual curiosity, insight, and strong critical thinking skills  
• The ability to work across health sectors with enthusiasm, humility, and diplomacy  
• Enthusiasm for innovative, new ideas and solutions to global health problems  
• Openness to opposing views and receiving constructive feedback  
• Self-motivated and self-directed with focused interests and a passion for learning  
• Embrace flexibility and capable of engaging and operating in diverse environments  
• High potential for impactful global health leadership, and aspirations of making meaningful changes as a leader in global health organizations 

International Applicants: 

• Per U.S. immigration law, admitted international students must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the first year of study. International applicants should review how the University of Washington Financial Ability Requirement can be met.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply online through the UW Graduate School application system.  

• Create an Account or Log In  
  • New Users: If you don’t have an account, click on the “Create Account” button. You’ll need to provide your first and last name, date of birth, and email address to create a password.  
  • Returning Users: If you already have an account, enter your login credentials (email and password) to access your application.  
• Start a New Application  
  • Once logged in, select the option to start a new application by choosing “University of Washington - Graduate School” and then click “Create Application.”   
• Complete All Required Sections   
  • Special note on English proficiency requirements: English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Each applicant indicates on the graduate application whether or not they are native speaker of English. Please reference Policy 3.2, Graduate School English Language Proficiency.    
• Select Your Program  
  • Select “Graduate” as your application type, then find the program using the filters. Select “Global Health – Doctor of Global Health (Leadership and Practice)”  
• Review and Edit Your Application  
  • Verify and review your application carefully before clicking “Submit Application.”   
• Submit Your Application  
  • When all application sections are complete, pay the $90 application fee and submit your application. Eligible applicants may apply for a fee waiver. Note that applicants who would attend UW on an F or J visa are not eligible for a fee waiver.  

For questions and inquiries, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact drgh@uw.edu.