Columbia University

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Columbia University Public Health Degree Programs

Columbia University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the Northeast.

Public health is a broad field which means earning a degree in the subject opens up doors to many careers, including epidemiologist, health educator and community health specialist. Most careers in public health require a master’s degree or higher although some require only a bachelor’s degree. Columbia University offers several degree programs in public health that can help prepare individuals for careers in this growing field.

Master of Public Health

The Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University offers a breakthrough Master of Public Health curriculum that sets a new standard for public health. The program consists of six broad areas of study consisting of 16 modules which all build on each other to provide a strong foundation in public health. The program explains factors that underlie patterns of disease and premature death as well as the role environmental factors play. Students gain an understanding of health disparities around the world along with the values that come into play in designing interventions to prevent illness. The modules required include:

  • Applying Theory to Interventions
  • Biological Basis of Public Health
  • Comparative Healthcare Systems
  • Environmental Determinants of Human Health
  • Ethics of Public Health
  • Globalization and Global Health
  • Health Economics
  • Healthcare Systems
  • History of Public Health
  • Human Rights
  • Life Course
  • Program Planning and Evaluation
  • Qualitative Foundations
  • Quantitative Foundations
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Systems Thinking
  • United States Public Health

Master of Science in Public Health

The Master of Science in Public Health focuses on specialized knowledge in public health with an emphasis on interdisciplinary education. Applicants to the program often have science backgrounds or experience in health, medicine or science-related fields. Students may concentrate their studies in Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences Epidemiology, Population & Family Health or Sociomedical Sciences. Students who choose Biostatistics may further concentrate their studies in Clinical Research Methods, Pharmaceutical Statistics, Statistical Genetics, or Theory and Methods. Students in the Environmental Health Sciences concentration may emphasize Toxicology.

Doctor of Public Health

The Doctor of Public Health provides access to renowned researchers and thought leaders. Students gain the tools and knowledge they need to advance the practice of public health. Students may choose from the Doctor of Public Health or the Doctor of Public Health. The Doctor of Philosophy places greater emphasis on the application of science to public health leadership, practice and program development while the Doctor of Philosophy places greater emphasis on creating new knowledge through research or academics. The Doctor of Public Health may be obtained in the following concentrations:

  • Biostatistics
  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Epidemiology
  • Population and Family Health
  • Sociomedical Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy can be obtained in the following concentrations:

  • Biostatistics
  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Epidemiology
  • Sociomedical Sciences

About Columbia University

Originally known as King’s College, the school was founded by royal charter of King George II in 1754. It is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the country and the oldest in New York. The first classes were held in a building located next to Trinity Church but the school was forced to close during the American Revolution. It did not reopen for eight years. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and Robert R. Livingston, all considered Founding Fathers, attended King’s College.

When the school reopened in 1784, the name was changed to Columbia College and, although it still had ties to Anglicanism, a decision was made to create a more diverse student population. More day students began to attend, living at home or staying in the city but not on campus. In 1857, the school moved to 49th Street and Madison Avenue. After merging several schools under one, such as Barnard College for Women, the Teacher’s College, and a medical school, it became Columbia University in 1896. In 1857, the school moved to its present location in Morningside Heights to a campus designed as an urban village.

Today, more than 32,000 students attend Columbia University.

Columbia University Accreditation Details

Columbia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria created by the Commission that indicates excellence in education. It also indicates that the school has the resources to meet its stated goals and objectives. In addition, programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:

  • ABET
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
  • American Bar Association
  • American Dental Association
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • American Psychological Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
  • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • Planning Accreditation Board

Columbia University Application Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Public Health must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must also provide official GRE or GMAT scores, a current resume and a statement of purpose. Those that have earned a degree in the past five years must have at least one academic reference but two are preferred. Applicants who have a degree that was earned more than five years ago must provide at least one academic reference.

Applicants to the Doctor of Public Health or Ph.D. in Public Health must hold a master’s degree or higher. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended as well as official GRE or GMAT scores. A current resume, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose must also be provided. Applicants who have received a master’s degree in the past five years must provide at least one academic reference from faculty at that institution but are encouraged to provide two. Students who earned a degree more than five years ago must provide at least one academic reference.

Columbia University Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Public Health is $29,382 per semester for those enrolled in residence and $15,922 per semester for those in half residence. Tuition for the Doctor of Public Health or the Ph.D. in Public Health is $23,800 per semester for those earning the degree in residence and $11,900 per semester for those attending in extended residence. Quarter residence students pay $9,202 and extended residence pay $11,182 per semester. Matriculation and facilities enrollment is $2,276 per semester.

Financial aid is available and all students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may qualify for departmental grants, scholarships, loans, fellowships, teaching and research assistantships.

Columbia University has been providing outstanding education to students for over 250 years and continues to offer an outstanding education in the field of public health.