In a move that underscores the institution’s commitment to addressing complex global challenges through collaborative science, NC State University is launching a new Master of Science in Global One Health (MS-GOH). The interdisciplinary graduate program will be housed within the Graduate School and will begin enrolling students for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The new program is designed to train students in the One Health framework, a recognized interdisciplinary approach that integrates human, animal, plant, and environmental health to tackle global issues ranging from the relationship between zoonotic disease outbreaks and climate change to sustainable agriculture and clean water access.
NC State joins a small but growing group of institutions offering graduate-level One Health training. Drawing on faculty expertise in fields such as veterinary medicine, engineering, agriculture, natural resources, social sciences, and management, the program aims to prepare students to become leaders in sectors such as global health, environmental science, and public policy, where the One Health approach can provide unique and needed insights.
“This new program reflects the university’s core mission, strengths, and impetus to grow its interdisciplinary offerings,” said Peter Harries, Dean of the Graduate School. “This new master’s program will bring together faculty and students from across NC State to develop interdisciplinary solutions that improve health outcomes and quality of life here in North Carolina and around the world.”
Students will complete 36 credit hours, including foundational coursework in One Health theory and application, data analysis, team science, and ethics. They will also tailor their learning through electives in policy, leadership, and discipline-specific knowledge. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks to accommodate students interested in research or more focused on gaining additional knowledge and skills through coursework to prepare them to join the workforce.
The program’s curriculum centers on six key competencies, including the ability to communicate across disciplines, interpret complex health data, and translate research into real-world solutions. Students will engage in experiential learning through internships, research projects, or a capstone experience aligned with the One Health goals.
“We are excited to be welcoming our first cohort of students in the Fall of 2026 into the Master of Science in Global One Health,” said Michael Reiskind, Director of the MS-GOH. “This degree program is critically needed to train students to confront the complex and important problems threatening our well-being in the next five, ten, and fifty years.”
The MS-GOH is anchored within the Global One Health Academy, which reaches across all of NC State’s colleges to leverage diverse institutional strengths in agriculture and plant health, animal health, ecosystem health, and the health of human societies. The boundary-transcending academy structure enables robust interdisciplinary research and education efforts. The new master’s degree in Global One Health leverages this signature capability to offer an innovative graduate training program that cultivates future leaders.
