<p>What is the difference between a public health degree and International Studies degree with a concentration in global health?</p>
<p>Which degree would best allow you to develop and implement programs or campaigns to improve public health around the world? I'm interested in everything from infectious diseases to human trafficking, to me both of those problems are affecting the health of people and I would like to fight these problems. I also have a strong interest in human rights. Although I find infectious diseases fascinating, I would have to say I'm most interested in trying to find solutions to social problems, substance abuse, human rights, etc. </p>
<p>I guess I could get a degree in both, but the problem with that is that I want to choose a part of the world to specialize in (like South Asia) so I already hope to get a degree in South Asian studies, and I would think three degrees may be a bit much.
Would it be better to get a masters in South Asian Studies and a masters in Public Health, or should I get a masters in South Asian studies and a masters in International Studies (or foreign affairs, International Relations, whatever they want to call their degree, etc)?</p>
<p>I also plan on studying Sikhism in India, to become a Sikh preacher which I want to tie in to my other degrees.</p>
<p>In general, a public health degree has a more applied and clinical focus; a global health concentration within an IS program is more policy-oriented (and, watered-down compared to an actual public health degree, imo), but the overall program is much broader due to the variety of courses in other disciplines. While some universities offer undergrad public health majors, most public health programs are at the graduate level. </p>
<p>Your stated interests extend beyond public health, so I’d say you should focus on a broader program in IR/IS.</p>
<p>There’s no reason why you couldn’t get a double major in IS/IR and South Asian Studies. In fact, many IR/IS programs require a student to choose both a thematic focus and a regional focus. If you had to choose one, I’d suggest going with the area studies program supplemented by elective coursework in the more general area of IR/IS, as well as relevant religious studies and language courses. If you don’t an undergrad major in IR/IS, to prepare for a master’s degree in that field, make sure you take at least courses in economic principles, statistics, international relations, some modern or world/comparative history (S. Asian history might do it), and a relevant language to 3rd year or beyond (e.g., Hindi, but possibly Punjabi, too, for your religious interests). To prepare for a master’s in public health, statistics would be important, and, some basic biology and chemistry courses wouldn’t hurt. If you start with the South Asian Studies major, you can decide later whether to do the master’s degree in IS/IR or Public Health, depending on what main direction your interests take. </p>
<p>in addition to IR/IS and PH graduate programs, you also should consider International Social Work.</p>
<p>Thanks.
I always heard that social work degrees are useless overseas. I never knew there was an international social work (definitely worth considering).</p>
<p>Maybe three masters degrees is not a bad idea though… At ODU they offer an accelerated bachelors to masters in international studies, only a year more! After that I could go to the university of michigan and do a dual degree in South Asian studies and public health.</p>
<p>Would it be worthwhile to get these three degrees or should I just stick with two?</p>