GRADUATE DIPLOMAS
Specialized Skills for
Meaningful Service
Graduate-level preparation that combines academic study with international service-learning to strengthen professional expertise and community impact.
Is this Program Right For You?
The INMED Graduate Diplomas are designed for healthcare professionals seeking advanced preparation for service in low-resource and cross-cultural settings. Combining graduate-level coursework with an international service-learning experience, learners strengthen professional expertise, develop practical skills, and apply their knowledge in real-world healthcare environments through one of three specialized pathways: International Medicine, International Nursing, or International Public Health.
How the Graduate Diploma Works
INMED Graduate Diplomas combine a graduate-level course in international health with a supervised international service-learning experience. Together, these components provide both the academic foundation and practical application needed to strengthen healthcare service in diverse communities around the world.
Apply
Submit your application, application fee, recommendation, professional photograph, and supporting documentation.
Complete the Graduate Certificate
Enroll in and complete the Graduate Certificate in International Health prior to departure.
Participate in Service-Learning
Work with INMED to select a service-learning site and prepare for the international experience.
Complete Final Requirements
Submit post-experience assignments and evaluations to complete diploma requirements.
Select Your Pathway
Graduate Diploma in International Medicine & Public Health
Designed for physicians, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists, resident physicians, and learners in these fields seeking advanced preparation for international healthcare service.
Graduate Diploma in International Nursing & Public Health
Designed for nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nursing students seeking advanced preparation for cross-cultural healthcare and service-learning.
Graduate Diploma in International Public Health
Designed for healthcare professionals, healthcare profession learners, and individuals preparing for careers in healthcare, community development, and international relations.
What You'll Gain
Learner Perspective
Learn how one healthcare professional applied INMED’s education and service-learning experience to healthcare service in Southeast Africa.
INMED Experience
The INMED Graduate Diplomas move learning beyond the classroom. Learners combine graduate-level coursework with supervised international service-learning experiences that provide opportunities to apply knowledge, strengthen clinical and professional skills, and engage with healthcare challenges in real-world settings. Through mentorship, cross-cultural engagement, and meaningful service, participants develop the confidence and perspective needed to serve effectively in diverse communities.
Healthcare Professionals and Students Who Have Earned an INMED Graduate Diploma
0
For more than two decades, diploma graduates have applied their learning in hospitals, clinics, community health programs, and public health initiatives around the world.
Students Meeting Learning Outcomes
Diploma Students achieved a 95% pass rate in the program.
95%
Students Graduating with No Debt Owed to INMED
Steeply-discounted tuition rates and a pay-as-you-go, one course at a time, structure.
100%
*Based on the 2022 – 2023 Academic Year
Meet Your Team
INMED Graduate Diploma learners are guided by experienced faculty and global health practitioners who bring decades of expertise in medicine, nursing, public health, healthcare education, and cross-cultural service. Faculty mentorship and practical learning experiences help learners translate knowledge into meaningful action.
Nicholas Comninellis, MD, MPH, DIMPH
President & Professor
Drawing on decades of experience in global health education, public health, emergency medicine, and healthcare service in Angola and China, Dr. Comninellis founded INMED to prepare healthcare professionals to serve effectively in diverse and underserved communities.
Amy Gilmore
Director of Service-Learning
Drawing on extensive experience in student development, program coordination, and international service-learning logistics, Amy helps learners navigate every stage of the service-learning experience, from site placement and preparation to successful completion of their international training.
Scott Armistead, MD, DIMPH
Dean of Faculty & Profressor
Having provided healthcare and trained future physicians across Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe, and the United States, Dr. Armistead brings extensive experience in global health, medical education, and cross-cultural healthcare practice.
Cost & Scholarship Opportunities
INMED is committed to making graduate-level international health education accessible and affordable. Participants pay tuition in stages as they progress through the program and may apply for Service-Learning Scholarship support.
Program Cost
- Diploma Program Application Fee: $100
- Tuition for the Graduate Certificate in International Health: $3,500 for Master’s degree credit. Tuition for non-Master’s degree learners is $1,750. There is no additional charge for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit.
- Service Learning Enrollment Tuition: $985, which covers the uniquely challenging logistics of arranging an international service-learning experience in low-resource communities.
- International Travel and Evacuation Insurance Policy: $4 per day (for each day of trip, start to end)
- Medical Liability Insurance for Medical Practitioners: $17.98 per day (must be paid prior to departure).
Additional Travel Expenses
Participants are responsible for expenses associated with international travel and living arrangements, including airfare, passport, visa, vaccinations, housing, and meals. Depending on the service-learning site selected, these expenses are typically between $3,000 and $4,000. INMED can provide site-specific estimates.
Scholarship Opportunities
Qualified participants are encouraged to apply for assistance through the INMED Service-Learning Scholarship Fund.
Student Testimonial
Very Well Equipped Me For The Future
“My entire rotation was very positive, very well organized, and very well equipped me for volunteer medical experiences in the future. The faculty at Baptist Medical Center was willing to train me in any relevant healthcare skill I desired, as well as providing critical information about how to lead health projects in that type of environment. INMED’s staff was also incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, being extremely professional and prompt. No room for improvement! I have already passed INMED’s information along to several younger students who are interested in an international rotation.”
“My entire rotation was very positive, very well organized, and very well equipped me for volunteer medical experiences in the future. The faculty at Baptist Medical Center was willing to train me in any relevant healthcare skill I desired, as well as providing critical information about how to lead health projects in that type of environment. INMED’s staff was also incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, being extremely professional and prompt. No room for improvement! I have already passed INMED’s information along to several younger students who are interested in an international rotation.”
Ready to Advance Your Expertise?
Combine graduate-level learning with international service-learning and prepare to make a lasting impact in healthcare and community health.
Detailed Information
About this Program
The INMED Graduate Diplomas combine graduate-level academic study with supervised international service-learning to prepare healthcare professionals for effective service in low-resource and cross-cultural settings. Through advanced coursework, faculty mentorship, and immersive field experience, learners strengthen professional expertise, develop practical skills, and gain firsthand experience applying healthcare knowledge within diverse communities around the world.Available pathways in International Medicine, International Nursing, and International Public Health allow learners to tailor their experience to their professional discipline while developing the knowledge, adaptability, and cross-cultural understanding needed to serve effectively in a rapidly changing global healthcare environment.
Competency Objectives
At the completion of the INMED Graduate Diploma in International Medicine & Public Health learners will be able to:
- Manage the leading diseases of poverty
- Understand maternal-newborn health principles
- Utilize healthcare skills useful in low-resource settings
- Analyze community-wide health to mitigate death/disability
- Demonstrate culturally informed healthcare
- Understand disaster mitigation and response principles
- Participate in team-led healthcare interventions
- Explain healthcare knowledge to appropriate audiences
Schedule & Format
Download the Syllabus for the INMED Graduate Diploma
The INMED Graduate Diplomas consist of two integrated components designed to combine academic preparation with practical application.
Graduate Certificate in International Health
GC – IH 900
Participants first complete the INMED Graduate Certificate in International Health, a structured graduate-level learning experience that includes faculty-guided instruction, assigned readings, learning activities, and interaction with fellow healthcare professionals.
International Service-Learning Experience
VC – GDSL 11
Following completion of the Graduate Certificate, participants engage in a supervised international service-learning experience at an INMED Service-Learning Site or approved equivalent location. Service-learning experiences are typically four weeks in duration and provide opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings.
Reflection & Integration
Upon completion of the service-learning experience, participants complete a guided reflection assignment designed to support personal and professional integration of the experience.
Pathway Requirements
International Medicine & Public Health
Application is open to physicians, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists, resident physicians, and learners in these fields.
Because International Medicine service-learning experiences require advanced clinical skills, learners must have completed core clinical training in inpatient and outpatient pediatrics, adult medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and general surgery prior to departure.
Additional documentation may be requested if questions arise regarding clinical readiness.
International Nursing & Public Health
Application is open to nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nursing students.
International Nursing service-learning experiences require learners to possess foundational clinical skills. Nursing learners must have completed at least their first semester of nursing school prior to departure.
International Public Health
Application is open to healthcare professionals, healthcare profession learners, and individuals in related fields. The program is especially relevant to those preparing for careers in healthcare, community development, and international relations.
All Applicants
Applicants seeking master’s degree credit must have completed a baccalaureate degree prior to application. Those who have not yet completed a baccalaureate degree may participate for non-master’s degree credit and may later request transfer of eligible credit if accepted into an INMED master’s degree program.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Service-Learning FAQ before applying.
Service-Learning Sites
INMED partners with healthcare facilities around the world to provide exceptional educational experiences. Site selection is guided by safety, accessibility, instructor qualifications, communication infrastructure, and learner evaluations. Not all sites are available or appropriate for every learner, and INMED works closely with participants to identify the best placement based on professional background, educational goals, and site availability. Additional service-learning sites are continually evaluated and added as opportunities arise.
Completion Requirements
Evaluation
Graded as pass/fail. Successful pass requires:
- Satisfactory or above on evaluation by Service-Learning Site supervisor
- Satisfactory or above on group presentation
- Satisfactory or above on reflective essay composition
Successful completion of the Diplomas require:
- Earn ≥80% in all course work.
- Accumulative grade of ≥80% in the program.
- Earn a “Passing” grade for the skills lab, simulations, and service-learning rotation.
Certification
Participants who successfully complete this course of study will receive the INMED Graduate Diploma in International Medicine, Nursing, &/or Public Health.
Academic Credit
Academic credit earned is 15 credit hours.
Certificate of Attendance
Verification of the educational experience will be provided to any learner’s affiliated institution. Those who do not pass the final examinations will receive a certificate of attendance.
Continuing Education
Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for the INMED Graduate Diplomas are attained through satisfactory completion of the Graduate Certificate Course in International Health components. Note: CME is not required for students or resident physicians.
Cost
There is no additional charge for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit.
Accreditation Statement
Physicians
Institute for International Medicine is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Institute for International Medicine designates this other activity (live course and enduring material) for a maximum of 76 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation Launch Date: February 1, 2024
Accreditation Termination Date: February 1, 2027
Other Healthcare Professionals
A certificate of completion indicating the number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ will be issued for completing this course. Certificates may be submitted to applicable state boards for recognition.
Disclosures
No persons in control of the content of this course have relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Policies
Enrollment in INMED courses constitutes agreement with all applicable academic and administrative policies.
Refund Policy
Refund requests are subject to INMED’s published refund schedule and policies.
Attendance
Learners are expected to actively participate in all required learning activities and virtual classroom sessions.
Punctuality
Assignments and assessments should be completed by established deadlines. Late submissions may affect successful course completion.
Academic Standing
INMED reserves the right to dismiss learners who fail to meet academic, professional, or behavioral expectations.
Technology Requirements
Learners are responsible for maintaining reliable internet access and the technology necessary to participate fully in online learning activities.
Additional policies are available through the Student Policies section.
Continue to the Master's Degree
Graduate Diploma learners seeking advanced leadership preparation, specialized concentration study, and scholarly inquiry may continue into the Master’s in International Health. The Master’s degree builds upon the foundations established through graduate coursework and international service-learning.