The Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University was founded in 1922, making it one of the oldest public health institutions in the United States, which reflects its long-standing commitment to public health education and research.
The school offers several graduate programs including Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), and PhD degrees, catering to a wide range of interests in public health.
The Master of Public Health program is primarily designed as a professional degree and is highly flexible, allowing students to tailor their educations to specific interests and career goals in public health.
Dual degree options are popular at the Mailman School, with programs that combine public health with various disciplines, such as law (JD/MPH), social work (MSW/MPH), and business (MBA/MPH), which enhances the interdisciplinary nature of public health education.
The school is consistently ranked among the top public health schools in the US, holding the No.
4 position according to US News & World Report in recent years, reflecting its high academic standards and research output.
The Mailman School is heavily focused on research, with faculty and students engaged in studies that span critical public health topics, such as epidemiology, global health, health policy, and environmental health.
The school is situated within Columbia University Irving Medical Center, giving students unique access to medical and scientific resources and collaboration opportunities with healthcare professionals.
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredits the Mailman School, ensuring that its programs meet rigorous academic and professional standards in public health education.
Faculty members at the Mailman School include leading researchers and practitioners in various fields of public health, many of whom have published extensively in scholarly journals and are involved in critical global health initiatives.
The Mailman School has a strong emphasis on community engagement, often conducting research and programs that directly involve local communities, promoting health equity and access to care.
One of the school’s signature initiatives is its focus on the impact of social determinants of health, which examines how factors like socioeconomic status, education, and environment influence health outcomes.
The Mailman School contributes to international public health efforts, with students and faculty often involved in global initiatives and collaborations aimed at addressing health crises like infectious diseases and health disparities.
The curriculum of the MPH program includes core courses required for all students, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, and environmental health, ensuring a comprehensive grounding in public health principles.
The DrPH program is designed for professionals aiming to develop leadership capabilities and apply research skills to address complex public health issues within organizations and communities.
The Mailman School offers a unique Certificate in Public Health, giving non-degree seeking candidates an opportunity to gain critical public health knowledge and skills without committing to a full degree program.
Innovative teaching methodologies, including simulation exercises, case studies, and collaborative projects, are employed to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for real-world challenges.
The school has established strong partnerships with various public health organizations and agencies, facilitating internships and job placements that enhance practical learning experiences for students.
Mailman School alumni hold leadership positions in prominent public health institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, reflecting the school’s effective training and networking opportunities.
The school places a strong focus on research addressing contemporary issues like climate change, mental health stigma, and the global impacts of pandemics, preparing students to tackle future public health challenges.
Columbia's Mailman School has recently taken steps to integrate advanced data science into its curriculum, recognizing the growing importance of big data and analytics in addressing public health challenges in the 21st century.