Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

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Quick Facts:

One of the United States’ top five MPH programs, according to US News and World Report
3rd highest NIH-funded recipient among all US MPH schools
3rd largest in sponsored research among all US MPH schools
1,292 students enrolled (84% master’s, 15% doctoral students)

MPH Program Overview

Columbia University in 2012 is introducing an all-new public health curriculum at the Mailman School of Public Health, that promises to set a new standard in the United States for master’s degrees in this field. The new curriculum is the result of a very strong school wide effort that involved over 150 members of the faculty, as well as students, employers and alumni.

The new public health curriculum will provide you with a broad understanding, critical thinking abilities, and outstanding leadership training that you will need to address the highly complex challenges in public health today.

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The MPH Curriculum

The two-year MPH program has a unique structure that integrates six key components and several related components.. Learning in one aspect of the program will be utilized in assignments and learning in the next part:

Core: 19 modules that build upon the next so that you have the broad, interlocking foundation of knowledge in the field.
Integration 1: Small group session that will bridge the void between what you learn in the classroom and the real world of working in public health.
Discipline: Which discipline you choose will be the focus of your program. The particular department that teaches your discipline will be your academic home and center for the next two years.
Practicum: You will do your practicum in the summer of the first year.
Certificate: You will receive training on a second and more focused aspect of public health, other than your main discipline. This will lead to an approved credential by Columbia University. More than 20 of these certification programs will be offered starting in 2012.

MPH Concentrations

Columbia University provides its master’s of public health students with an outstanding education in these four disciplines. You will need to select which discipline you want to study by the end of your first year in the program:

Environmental Health Sciences: Investigates how the environment has an influence over public health. Faculty and students work as one to explore the highly complex interactions at each level. They also will collaborate with scientists and health officials in New York and around the country to address environmental threats.

Quick Facts: 16 full time faculty, 59 MPH students, 23 doctoral candidates, 10,000 sq. feet of lab space.

Epidemiology: Conducts research that brings a cells-to-society approach to public health. Focus is on understanding and making better the health outlook of urban populations everywhere. Faculty are top professionals in chronic disease, infectious disease, lifecourse and social epidemiology.

Quick Facts: 113 full time faculty, 156 MPH students, 15 MS students, 70 doctoral students, executive master of science now offered for working professionals

Health and Policy Management: Gives you the skills, networks, credentials and practical work experience to get top professional positions in public health. You can choose from health policy, management, comparative effectiveness research or global health.

Quick Facts: 18 full time faculty, 307 MPH students, MPH certificate program is 16 months.

Populations and Family Health: Focuses on the health needs and the rights of global populations both in settled and displaced communities around the world. Faculty is renowned in reproductive health, family health, global health and human rights.

Quick Facts: 22 full time faculty, 140 MPH students

MPH Admission Process

Columbia University stresses that you need to begin your admission process early – at least one year before the semester in which you want to begin your studies. This will allow for any unanticipated delays, such as in receiving your recommendations (3 required). You also should make sure that you meet the minimum work experience requirements of the MPH program.

To apply for the MPH program, you should follow these steps:

Determine which degree program you wish to study: MPH, MS or doctoral.
Visit the department pages to determine which concentration is of most interest. You should note that different departments may have slightly different admission requirements.
Identify which certificate program you are interested in. This needs to be decided by the end of the first semester.
Make sure that you are meeting all application deadlines.
Gather your application materials.
Check into tuition and financial aid.
Submit your application online.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The cost of tuition for the MPH program is $1,326 per credit hour. Annual tuition will be approximately $32,000. Please note the following additional costs:

Health Services Fee: $450 per semester
Student Activity Fee: $50 per semester
Executive MPH Program Fee: $1300 per semester
Computer Fee: $180 per semester
On Campus Living Expenses: $7500 per semester
Books: $1200 per year

The Financial Aid Office at Columbia University bases its financial awards on the student budget that you are required to submit each year. The aid is awarded based upon the expected student contribution and your budget numbers. If you have additional expenses, such as child care, you need to document it. It is rare for the financial aid office to provide aid for anything other than rent, a computer purchase, or child care.