Overview
The MIH is distinctively focused on mobilizing and equipping the healthcare professionals on behalf of marginalized people, emphasizing special skills in epidemiology, diseases of poverty, maternal-newborn health, international public health, cross-cultural skills, disaster management, health leadership, health professions education, and research and quality improvement.
The Master’s Degree in International Health (MIH) shares some broad elements in common with a Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), including skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral and environmental sciences, and public health management. The MIH, however, is distinctively focused on mobilizing and equipping healthcare professionals on behalf of marginalized people, emphasizing the skill in diseases of poverty, maternal-newborn health, international public health, cross-cultural skills, disaster management, health leadership, and health professions education.
Another MIH distinctive include an International Service-Learning Experience at one of INMED’s renowned Service-Learning Sites. This experience in one of twenty-five nations gives learners substantial professional growth opportunity by applying their skills on behalf of low-resource and cross-cultural communities, with the benefit of on-site supervision.
A third MIH distinctive is the reasonable tuition. Currently at just $9,440 total tuition, the MIH is substantially less expensive than MPH degrees which typically range from $16,000 to $60,000 in tuition and fees. The only additional MIH expense is cost of travel associated with the International Service-Learning Experience.
In short, an MPH degree is a solid credential in the broad field of public health. The MIH degree is specially focused on skills and experience to promote the wellbeing of low-resources people.
The INMED Graduate Diplomas in International Medicine (DIMPH), International Nursing (DINPH), and International Public Health (DIPH) provide an excellent introduction into the fields, both academically and experientially. These are closely equivalent to the DTM&H (diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene) offered by the London and Liverpool Schools of Tropical Medicine, the Tropical Medicine Certificate offered by Johns Hopkins University, and the Tropical Medicine Diploma offered by Baylor College of Medicine. The INMED Graduate Diplomas earn 15 credit hours and cost approximately $2000 in tuition, plus travel expenses.
The INMED Master’s Degree in International Health (MIH), by comparison, is a higher academic achievement, currently costs approximately $9,440 in tuition (plus travel expenses), and includes self-selected elective courses plus a scholarly project applicable toward the learner’s career. All of the INMED Graduate Diploma requirements are also required for the MIH degree, and are credited towards its requirements.
Graduates of the INMED Master’s Degree in International Health will be prepared for responsibilities in patient care, research, teaching and leadership on behalf of:
- International government agencies (such as United Nations & WHO)
- National government agencies (USA and other nations)
- Global charitable foundations (like Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
- Faith-based charitable groups (like Samaritan’s Purse)
- Universities and research institutions (such as Baylor University and Pasteur Institute)
- Banking and industry (like the Africa Development Bank)
Such positions many include epidemiologist, medical officer, nursing officer, public health officer, policy analyst, program manager, health scientist, disaster relief coordinator, global health educator, and more.
The INMED Master’s Degree in International Health is fully accredited by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and by the Accreditation Council for International Health Education (ACIHE), functioning in accordance with the ACIHE Accreditation Standards for International Healthcare Education.
Continuing Medical Education associated with the MIH is accredited through the Institute for International Medicine, who is accredited by the Missouri State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Other INMED Master’s Degree in International Health accreditations are also in process and can be viewed here.
MIH course work can be entirely completed online and includes weekly assignments and required weekly virtual meetings with the faculty. In addition, INMED offers in-person Graduate Qualification Courses for MIH elective credit that teach hands-on skills that cannot be completed online alone. Scholarly Project work is undertaken in collaboration with faculty and does not require in-person meetings. The International Service-Learning requires in-person presence at a designed INMED Service-Learning Site.
Application
Application for the INMED Master’s Degree in International Health (MIH) is open to healthcare professionals and healthcare profession students, including physicians, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists, resident physicians, nurses, including advanced practice nurses, dietitians, healthcare administrators, midwives, physical & occupational therapists, public health specialists, and enrolled students of all these professions. Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree prior to making application.
At the time of application, the following documents will be required:
- Completed online application
- $100 application fee
- Professional profile headshot photograph
- Letter of recommendation
- Transcript of any and all completed post-secondary education
- Healthcare professional license (if applicable)
- Resumé or curricula vitae
INMED accepts and evaluates applications continuously. Once accepted, learners may begin with the next scheduled course terms that begins five times each year.
INMED requires a letter of recommendation from a professional colleague or from a faculty who has experience with the applicant. The letter of recommendation should include:
- Description of relationship with the applicant
- Reasons why the applicant should be considered for an INMED Master’s Degree in International Health
- Estimation the applicant’s ability to take advantage of vigorous academic learning
- Any reservations about the applicant’s ability to adapt and perform well in the context of an international service-learning experience
Email the letter of recommendation to: [email protected].
Because applicants for the MIH are already credentialed healthcare professionals or healthcare profession students, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
INMED uses the information provided in the MIH application and accompanying documents to select those applicants most likely to both succeed within the program of learning and to apply this learning to benefit their careers. Another important consideration is an estimate of the applicant’s ability to adapt and perform well in the context of an international service-learning experience.
For students who self-identify as non-native English Speakers, TOEFL or IELTS scores should be sent directly to INMED:
- The TOEFL code number assigned to INMED is D130. Applicants should use this code number when indicating their institution as a score recipient.
- IELTS Account Name: Institute for International Medicine.
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Address: MIH Admissions, 2340 E Meyer Blvd, Building 1 Suite 338, Kansas City, MO 64132, United States
A separate interview with INMED’s English Language Assessor may be required.
Cost
INMED is aware that tuition cost is a barrier to higher education. For this reason, INMED works diligently to control the cost of tuition while maintaining quality education.
The total tuition is currently $9,440. The current per-credit-hour tuition is $295 x 32 credit hours. No additional fees are added. The only additional MIH costs are travel expenses for International Service-Learning Experience. These typically include airfare, passport, visa, vaccinations, and housing and meals. For complete MIH cost details, pleases visit Cost.
Tuition is paid each Term depending upon the number of credit hours taken. For example, if one takes four credit hours in a Term, the tuition for that Term would be 5 × $295 (tuition per credit hour) = $1,475 total tuition. This enables learners to “pay-as-you-go” for courses as they work through the MIH requirements. Payment is due online at the time of each course registration.
The greatest cost associated with an INMED Service-Learning Experience is usually airfare. When considering all costs, including international flight, housing and meals, visa, vaccines, and local transportation, the total cost is usually on the order of $3000-$4,000 per learner. INMED will provide a full cost estimate to individuals once learner’s Training Site has been approved.
INMED is aware that tuition cost is a barrier to higher education. For this reason, INMED works diligently to control the cost of tuition while maintaining quality education.
INMED does not currently participate in any United States government financial aid programs. Historically, INMED learners have been very successful in raising financial support for International Service-Learning Experience. When MIH learners being planning their Service-Learning Experience, INMED will offer three effective means of raising financial support:
- Personal fund raising suggestions
- Civic organization support solicitation
- Scholarships sources
For more information, please reach out to: [email protected].
Timeframe
Applications are accepted year-round. Once all required documents are received, you will be contacted within a week. Accepted learners may begin with any of the five terms offered each year: Early Fall, Late Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Please view the Academic Calendar for specific dates.
The MIH is a 2-year program, however, learners may complete the degree requirements over a period of up to four years. Continuous participation is still preferred. If a learner takes just one course at a time, the MIH can be completed in one and one-half years.
Each MIH course generally required five to ten hours of work each week.
Most MIH learners are also working full-time. Taken one course at a time, this 32-credit hour degree can easily be finished in one and one-half years.
INMED recommends that learners first complete the Graduate Certificate Course in International Medicine, Nursing or Public Health, followed by the Epidemiology Course. Both courses must be completed prior to the International Service-Learning experience and prior to the Scholarly Project. Elective courses may be completed at any time.
Credit for Prior Study
Learners who have already completed the Graduate Certificate Course in International Medicine and Public Health, International Nursing and Public Health, or International Public Health, within four calendar years prior to their MIH application date can have this credited towards MIH requirements.
Those who completed one of these Graduate Certificate Courses prior to June 12, 2020 will be credited will be credited following payment of $1,550. This accounts for the difference between the original tuition paid and the current full tuition for the Graduate Certificate Course. Those completing one of these Graduate Certificate Courses after June 12, 2020 will be credited following payment of $1,475. This accounts for the difference between the discounted tuition paid and the current full tuition for the Graduate Certificate Course.
MIH participants who have already completed an INMED International Service-Learning experience – as part of a Graduate Diploma program – within the four calendar years prior to MIH application date can have this credited towards MIH requirements.
Those who completed an INMED International Service-Learning experience prior to their MIH application will be credited following payment of $625. This accounts for the difference between the original tuition paid and the current full tuition for the MIH International Service-Learning experience.
See the above responses to the questions “I have already completed the INMED Graduate Certificate Course. Will this be credited?” and “I have already completed an INMED International Service-Learning experience. Will this be credited?”
Applicants with an MPH degree granted within calendar four years prior to MIH application will upon request have the Epidemiology Course waved as a MIH requirement.
Applicants may submit the course syllabus and grade transcript. INMED will consider these for credit towards MIH requirements (Max of 6 credit hours for transfer). If transfer credit is accepted, payment of the Epidemiology Course tuition will be waived.
Please email: [email protected] if submitting prior to application, or [email protected] if submitting after application.
Applicants who have completed an epidemiology course within calendar four years prior to MIH application may submit the course syllabus and grade transcript. INMED will consider these for credit towards MIH requirements (Max of 6 credit hours for transfer). If transfer credit is accepted, payment of the Epidemiology Course tuition will be waived.
Please email: [email protected] if submitting prior to application, or [email protected] if submitting after application.
Service-Learning
The value of hands-on, supervised field experience in low-income and cross-cultural communities cannot be over stated. INMED has a network of Service-Learning Sites in twenty-four nations. Such settings provide learners with opportunity to gain experience and increasing expertise through applying their professional skills. Living in such settings also provides in valuable opportunity to adapt to the personal challenges associated with serving marginalized people.