Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery: Surgical Care Systems & Health Equity

The Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery: Surgical Care Systems & Health Equity emphasizes McMaster’s commitment to advancing human and societal health and wellbeing locally and around the world. The program trains personnel from healthcare
disciplines including physicians, nurses, and allied care providers, as well as innovators, advocates, and policy-influencers from any discipline who have a demonstrated interest in global surgery, surgical care systems and health equity. Learners will develop the
knowledge, skills, and network needed to make important contributions to advancing global surgical care worldwide.

The diploma is offered asynchronously and online, offering maximum flexibility for working professionals, students or post-graduate trainees participating from anywhere in the world. The program is open to students with an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a demonstrated interest in global surgery, surgical care systems, and health equity.

The Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery builds on the strengths of the award-winning Global Health Graduate Program at McMaster University. Courses are taught by worldclass faculty with experience and expertise providing surgical care and working in health
care systems around the world. The program follows the McMaster Model of student-centered learning, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning in a global online setting.Learners will make the most of an innovative online curriculum combining a range of asynchronous content designed to develop their understanding, foster critical thinking, and develop practical skills through engaging learning activities.

Comprised of four courses, students complete coursework in Fundamentals of Global Surgery (GLOBHTH 721), Contemporary Issues in Global Surgery (GLOBHTH 722), Program Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation in Global Surgery (GLOBHTH 723), and Special Populations and Patient Perspectives in Global Surgery (GLOBHTH 724). Students develop a deep understanding of the global surgical landscape and learn to critically analyze a range of issues and research evidence related to global surgery and its intersections with
planetary health, humanitarian contexts, and under-served populations. Students will also develop skills in program planning and evaluation, and working in diverse interprofessional teams to address global surgical issues among various populations and contexts.

Enquiries:
E-mail: askglobalhealth@mcmaster.ca
Website: https://globalhealth.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/programs/global-surgery-diploma/

Admission

Applicants need to meet the admission requirements for entry into Graduate Studies at
McMaster University, including:
• Completion of a four-year honours undergraduate university (Bachelor’s) degree (or equivalent) and a B+ average in the final year of undergraduate study. On a percentage scale, the B+ average equates to a 75 to 79% (8.5/12.0 on the McMaster grade point average scale)
• A demonstrated interest in global surgery, surgical care systems & health equity including relevant academic, professional, and lived experiences, how the program will contribute to their future plans, and what they will contribute to the program.
• A personal curriculum vitae (résumé) demonstrating background, education or experiences relating to interest in global surgery
• Two confidential academic letters of recommendation from instructors or supervisors most familiar with the academic or professional work deemed most relevant to the applicant’s demonstrated interest in Global Surgery
• Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency in the use of the English language. An official copy of your TOEFL score, or other evidence of competency in English is required. A minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 92 (580 on the paper-based TOEFL test or 237 on the computer-based TOEFL test) is required. Students taking the IELTS test are required to achieve a
minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each category.

Meeting the minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission into the Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery: Surgical Care Systems & Health Equity. The admissions process is competitive.

Further details of the admission requirements and procedure are available at:
https://globalhealth.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/programs/global-surgery-diploma/

Requirements

Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery students complete the diploma online on a per course basis. The diploma is offered online and asynchronously enabling students to study from anywhere in the world. There is no requirement for students to be available on the
McMaster campus. Students must have suitable access to internet and computing. To be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery, students are required to complete the following four 3.0-unit online courses with minimum B- standing (70%).

Program Duration

Program duration is normally completed within one to two years. Students can take one or two courses per term based on the program schedule. Specific policies and procedures governing the Graduate Diploma in Global Surgery are provided on the website:
https://globalhealth.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/programs/global-surgery-diploma/