Our Ph.D. in Global Health Equity is designed to equip students with tangible and current skills to help solve today’s real-world issues that are leading to disparities and inequities not just within the United States, but also globally.
Students will have the opportunity to be a part of the only doctoral program in global health equity that directly incorporates the Political Determinants of Health framework by Daniel E. Dawes. By learning from Dean Dawes himself, as well as other top-ranked faculty, who incorporate his framework into effectuating change at the most upstream levels to have the greatest impact on optimizing the health of our world. This program will be the first to apply such a unique lens across countries that may be facing similar challenges and sharing novel approaches to developing solutions together.
The Ph.D. in Global Health Equity at Meharry Medical College is a hybrid, 73-credit hour program, inclusive of dissertation research. Designed to support working professionals, this non-residential program features live virtual evening classes, with select in-person sessions hosted on our Nashville campus (relocation to Nashville, TN is not required).
Students will learn from a distinguished faculty of health equity champions and leaders with experience across sectors including the CDC, The White House, U.S. Congress, WHO, UN General Assembly, HHS, and industries such as healthcare, biotech, law, public health, AI, and global policy.
The program is committed to providing a rich blend of domestic and global professional experiences. Students will also benefit from participation in distinguished lectureship series, professional networking opportunities, and practical, skill-based workshops to enhance their academic and career development.
The 15 credit hours of core coursework equips students with a strong foundation in health equity, the social and political determinants of health, global health systems, and health policy. These courses are integral to preparing students to think critically, implement solutions, and design strategies that address complex health challenges, always through a health equity lens.
SGHC 500 Health Disparities and Health Equity (3)
SGHC 501 Social, Mental, and Behavioral Health (3)
SGHC 504 Political Determinants of Health (3)
SGHC 502 Foundations in Health Policy/Law (3)
SGHC 503 Introduction to Global Health (3)
Students are expected to complete 58 credit hours in specific coursework geared towards varying topics related to factors affecting health outcomes, political determinants of health, health disparities and health equity, social, mental, and behavioral health, foundations in health policy and law, and health economics.
Students will be exposed to a wide spectrum of coursework such as but not limited to:
The applied learning experience provides students an opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to health disparities and equity-focused work in real-world settings, either abroad or within the United States. This experience is a critical component of the program, allowing students to apply their knowledge to practical challenges, deepen their understanding of diverse health systems, and strengthen their ability to design and implement equity-centered solutions in both global and local contexts.
Each student will be paired with a faculty member to guide them in the development of their doctoral thesis, research, and dissertation. The student is expected to conduct independent doctoral-level research in each semester of years three and four respectively.
The student is at liberty to choose a global health equity-related research topic of their choice, and write a dissertation based on:
1) their professional experience
2) their academic experience
3) their Applied Experiential Learning
Or
4) any combination thereof
Conferral of the doctorate degree is contingent upon a student’s successful defense of their dissertation in the final semester of year four.
Optional Concentration(s):
Students in this degree program are eligible to complete a concentration in Women’s Health.
Women’s Health Concentration Overview
The Women’s Health concentration offers a comprehensive study of health needs, influences, and contexts affecting women throughout their lives—from infancy to old age.
Students will identify a concentration upon successful enrollment at the School of Global Health.
Program Course Offerings
**indicates an elective course, all others are core concentration offerings
Fall (9 credit hours)
SGHC 500 Health Disparities and Health Equity (3)
SGHC 501 Social, Mental, and Behavioral Health (3)
SGHC 504 Political Determinants of Health (3)
Spring (10 credit hours)
SGHC 502 Foundations in Health Policy/Law (3)
SGHC 503 Introduction to Global Health (3)
HEEQ 500 Biostatistics and Health Equity Research (3)
SGHT 900 Doctoral Independent Goals Analysis (1)
Fall (9 credit hours)
GLHE 712 A Needs Assessment Approach Using GIS and Community Mapping (3)
GLHE 701 Global Health Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World (3)
GLHE 702 Global Disease Epidemiology and Control (3)
Spring (9 credit hours)
HCOM 503 Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)
Optional Summer (3 credit hours)
GHLE 708 Advanced Global Health (3)** – a travel abroad experience
Fall (9 credit hours)
GLHE 707 Climate Change and Population Health (3)
SGHT 903 Doctoral Research Symposium (1)
SGHT 901 Doctoral Research and Writing (5)
Spring (9 credit hours)
SGHT 901 Doctoral Research and Writing (9)
Fall (9 credit hours)
SGHT 901 Doctoral Research and Writing (9)
Spring (9 credit hours)
SGHT 901 Doctoral Research and Writing (6)
SGHT 902 Dissertation and Defense Global Health Equity (3)
Total of 73 credit hours for completion.
*This is a sample plan of study, and it is subject to change
**Optional Travel Abroad – summer travel abroad will replace 3 credit hour course in the fall
HCOM 500 Communicating to Achieve Health Equity (3)
HCOM 508 Writing to Get Published (3)
GLHE 700 Intro to Humanitarian Emergencies: Embedding an Equitable Response (3)
MHAD 511 Program Planning, Finance, Administration, & Evaluation (3)
HLPM 700 Political Determinants of Health: Advanced Concepts & Global Applications (3)
GLHE 713 Introduction to Negotiations and Practice (3)
HLPM 706 The Influence of Power, Politics, and Policy on Global Health Practice (3)
Applicants must satisfy all admission requirements. Final admission decisions will be made by the School of Global Health Faculty Admissions Committee (FAC). Admission decisions will be based on all aspects of the application, including:
Priority Deadline for Scholarship consideration – Extended to Friday, February 27, 2026
General Deadline – May 1
*All documentation must be submitted by deadline date.
The SGH Faculty Admissions Committee cannot review any application until all documents have been received.
Doctoral interviews will begin in January.
Applicants may check the status of their application by logging into their online account.
Step 1
Prepare the following:
The response should be limited to no more than one page, a minimum of 500 words, font size 12.
Students are encouraged to discuss lived experiences (academic, professional, or personal) in their response.
Step 2
Gather your application documents:
Three letters of recommendation are required. We recommend that at least two of these be from an academic mentor or professional recommender (major professor, thesis advisor, etc.) who can speak to the applicant’s potential to undertake graduate studies.
Applicants must submit official transcripts of coursework attempted and completed at all previous colleges and universities whether or not a degree was earned at the institution. Please ask your institution to send official college transcripts electronically directly to the School of Global Health at sghenrollment@mmc.edu
If the institution prefers to mail transcripts, please contact us directly at SGH@mmc.edu.
All submitted transcripts become the property of the Meharry Medical College and will not be returned.
Step 3
Final Decision
Step 4
Admitted Students
The School of Global Health will award a limited number of partial merit-based scholarships for Fall 2026.
To be considered, applicants must submit a completed application with all application materials no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.
General deadline to apply is May 1.
The Scholarship Committee will consider the applicants application and materials, commitment to becoming a Meharrian, and overall competency to be successful in our programs.
Scholarship awards will be announced to recipients through a formal admissions scholarship decision letter.
Have questions about the PhD in Global Health Equity or need help with the application process? We’re here to support you every step of the way.
For inquiries related to admissions, enrollment requirements, or program details, please contact:
Mahia Valle, MBA
Enrollment Manager
Director, Communications
School of Global Health
Meharry Medical College
Mvalle@mmc.edu
We look forward to connecting with you and helping you take the next step toward becoming a Meharrian.
The estimated cost per credit hour for the 2025–2026 academic year is $1,626. Based on a typical course load, the estimated annual tuition is $29,278.
Please note that tuition rates are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
This tuition rate does not include student fees, for a full breakdown, please contact us at SGH@mmc.edu to set up your one-on-one appointment.
We understand that pursuing a Ph.D. is a significant financial commitment, and Meharry Medical College is committed to helping students explore all available funding options. Our Office of Financial Aid provides guidance on federal and institutional aid, scholarships, fellowships, and other resources that may help support your academic journey.
For more information on financing your education, visit:
Financial Aid at Meharry Medical College
