Rice University is expanding its commitment to health innovation with the launch of a new graduate certificate in global health technologies, now open to all Rice graduate students regardless of discipline.
Offered through the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, the graduate-level certificate is designed to equip students with the skills needed to address global health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, human-centered design and technological innovation. The program brings together students from all areas of study to explore how technology can improve health outcomes worldwide.
“Global health challenges don’t fit neatly within a single discipline,” said Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor and co-director of Rice360. “This certificate gives students a structured way to integrate global health perspectives into their own fields, while learning how to develop innovative solutions that are scalable in real-world settings.”
The certificate aligns with Rice’s 10-year strategic plan, which calls for the university to become the leading nonmedical institution in health research and innovation. The plan emphasizes foundational research, socially responsible innovation and strategic partnerships to advance health equity and improve care globally.
“Leading this effort has been very rewarding,” said Kiara Lee, Rice360’s director of education and strategy. “When I was in graduate school, opportunities like this were formative for me, and being able to shape the course design and curriculum allowed us to create that same kind of space for students today — one that brings students across disciplines to connect, engage with global leaders and gain practical experience applying new approaches to expand upon their own major area of work.”
Students enrolled in the certificate will engage with a diverse academic community and gain exposure to global health leaders through coursework and seminars. While students may enter the program at multiple points, they are strongly encouraged to begin in the fall semester.
Core coursework includes:
Fundamentals of Global Health and Needs Finding (GLHT 591)
This course introduces students to the global health landscape and methods for identifying unmet health care needs. Topics include epidemiology, health disparities, maternal and child health, infectious and chronic diseases and the role of technology in health care delivery. Students also learn best practices for needs assessment in clinical and community settings, connecting those insights to medical device and technology innovation through both lectures and experiential learning.
Global Health Resource Mobilization and Advocacy (GLHT 593)
Designed to strengthen advocacy skills, this course prepares students to engage researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurs in advancing global health initiatives. Students explore global funding ecosystems, regulatory pathways and the roles of public and private organizations, while building oral and written communication skills essential for translating ideas into impact.
Global Health Technologies Seminar (GLHT 595)
This monthly seminar features prominent global health leaders who share insights on innovation, policy and implementation. Weekly journal club discussions encourage students to critically engage with the speakers’ work and examine how global health principles intersect with their own fields of study.
Through the certificate, Rice360 aims to foster a new generation of scholars and innovators who can navigate the complex intersection of technology, policy and access to care in global health.
Interested students can email rice360education@rice.edu.