PROGRAM IN GLOBAL HEALTH STUDIES

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning REQUIREMENT FOR ADJUNCT MAJORS

Experiential learning is a valuable element of undergraduate education in a range of fields at Northwestern and peer institutions. Our longstanding study abroad requirement in Global Health Studies (GHS) had to be suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it remains important students have opportunities for meaningful, immersive, ethical, and practical learning experiences beyond the Northwestern classroom.   

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, all newly-declared adjunct majors in Global Health Studies will need to complete an experiential learning requirement. This requirement can be satisfied by a range of programs and opportunities offered at Northwestern University and other institutions within and beyond the U.S. Students who declared the adjunct major prior to September 2026 will not be subject to this requirement. This requirement does not apply to GHS minors.

Below is a range of pre-approved options to meet GHS’s experiential learning requirement.  

Study Abroad 

The Program in Global Health Studies has worked with the Global Learning Office (GLO) and international partners to develop academically rigorous study abroad programs that are Northwestern-run or Northwestern-affiliated (see a chart of these options at the end of this page). These programs have been vetted and designed in partnership with GHS faculty to complement our curricula and focus on health in regional context. These GLO-managed programs may qualify for financial aid. For these reasons, we strongly encourage GHS students to participate in Northwestern-run or Northwestern-affiliated public health programs.  

Global Health Studies students may also use other health-related courses taken abroad as elective credit for their major or minor degree requirements and in fulfillment of the experiential learning requirement. Up to two courses per study abroad program may be counted as GHS electives. To meet the experiential learning requirement for the GHS adjunct major, at least ONE course taken abroad must be focused on public health in the context where the student is studying. This means that “Introduction to Global Health” taken in Copenhagen would not count, as all students take this course at Northwestern; but “Refugee Health in Europe” would be appropriate, meeting the experiential learning requirement by covering a health issue in the region where the study abroad is taking place, providing one elective credit toward the GHS adjunct major as well as fulfilling the experiential learning requirement.  

Applying to a Program  

Review the public health programs on the GLO website, meet with one of the GLO study abroad advisers listed on individual program pages, and start your online application. If you are choosing a non-Northwestern program, reach out to your GHS advisor for pre-approval of any public health-related courses you plan to take for GHS elective credit/the experiential learning requirement. It is not necessary to speak to a GHS advisor if you elect to take an NU-run or NU-affiliated program from the chart below 

Domestic Experiential Learning Options 

Chicago Field Studies (CFS)  

Chicago Field Studies is an experiential learning program combining an internship in the Chicago area with a credit-bearing Northwestern course. Up to two credits from the CFS courses Field Studies in Public Health, Field Studies in Civic Engagement, Field Studies in the Environment & Sustainability, or Field Studies in Social Justice may be counted as electives for the GHS adjunct major or minor. These CFS programs satisfy the experiential learning requirement for the major. Additional health-related CFS programs may qualify. Note that not all CFS programs qualify for GHS credit and the experiential learning requirement.   

Engage Chicago  

Engage Chicago is an immersive 8-week summer field study program providing students the opportunity to explore community development and social change in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The program includes a for-credit class, field visits, an internship with one of 100+ partner organizations, career spotlight sessions, and shared housing and community in downtown Chicago. Up to two credits of Engage Chicago coursework may be counted as electives for the GHS adjunct major and minor, and the program satisfies the experiential learning requirement for majors. GHS students who participate in Engage Chicago are expected to choose a public health-focused internship when possible.  

Additional Experiential Learning Options 

The Medill Journalism Residency (JR)  

To meet the Medill experiential learning requirement, journalism students generally complete a Journalism Residency with an appropriate domestic or international organization. If the residency includes a substantial public or global health component, Global Health Studies will consider this residency for our experiential learning requirement.  Consult with your GHS advisor for consideration. 

The School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) Practicum  

Students with a primary degree in SESP are required to complete a quarter-length practicum that includes a coursework component. If the practicum includes a substantial public or global health component, Global Health Studies may consider this for our experiential learning requirement.  Consult with your GHS advisor for consideration. 

Other internships, research, or educational programs  

In rare cases, students may find or develop an experiential learning opportunity not on this list that can meet the expectations of the GHS requirement. Internships or other experiential learning possibilities lacking a substantive course component are unlikely to be approved. Students may inquire about the eligibility of their experience, but should consult with their GHS advisor before undertaking these experiences.