Program Overview

Students interested in participating in one of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (PLFSOM)’s fourth-year global health elective courses should discuss with Student Affairs any school-specific approval process, including guidelines for participation and how to receive credit for the experience.

Students must enroll in a global health elective and work with Student Affairs to complete the appropriate paperwork for approval six months to a year in advance. Upon approval, the Office of Global Health and Societies (OGHS) will work with students on logistics associated with the global health program.

Please note: Currently, Floating Doctors, Child Family Health International (CFHI), IMA Helps Ecuador are the only global health courses that have been approved for elective credit.

Detailed Program Requirements

Application Information and Process:

1. Register for a Global Health Elective with Student Affairs.
2. Student Affairs will send you a Request and Approval Form to be signed by the Associate Dean for Student Affairsand a Medical Clearance Form to be completed by a medical provider (if you do not have a PCP, you can go to Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso at Kenworthy located at 9849 Kenworthy St. El Paso, TX 79924.
3. The Request and Approval Form and Medical Clearance Form are due October 15.
4. Upon approval of the elective by the Associate Dean for Student Affairsand clearance from a medical provider, you will be contacted by our office to complete an application to the global health program directly (please note there is an application fee).
5. Upon acceptance to the global health program, our office will ask that you complete an institutional application form along with some other necessary forms.
6. You must attend a four-phase pre-departure orientation before departure.
   • Phase 1: Document, review and notify the OGHS of your travel itinerary.
   • Phase 2: Complete seven online educational modules.
   • Phase 3: Complete a pre-travel briefing with the risk management agency.
   • Phase 4: Attend an-person meeting with OGHS staff and global health supply closet checkout.
7. The final day to drop a Global Health Elective is December 1.