Department of Public Health

Public health focuses on protecting and improving the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations. Our department is dedicated to arming students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop, implement and monitor public health initiatives such as immunization programs, infectious disease monitoring, cancer and asthma prevention, drinking water quality, and injury prevention. Our graduates work in the public, non-profit and private sectors and span many disciplines. Their work includes designing educational programs and interventions, developing policies, administering services, conducting research, and regulating health systems.

Department of Public Health Programs

Our M.P.H. and certificate programs are offered both on campus and fully online as distance learning programs.

Public Health Degrees

• M.P.H. Generalist
• M.S. in Epidemiology
• M.S. in Biostatistics
• Dr.P.H. in Health Policy and Management

Public Health Advanced Certificates

• Advanced Certificate in Global Health
• Advanced Certificate in Health Administration
• Advanced Certificate in Health Education
• Advanced Certificate in Environmental Health
• Advanced Certificate in Industrial Hygiene
• Advanced Certificate in Emergency Management

In partnership with NYMC and Touro University schools, the Department offers the following joint degree programs for students who wish to broaden their skills, knowledge, and career options.

• Pharm.D./M.P.H.
• D.D.S./M.P.H.
• D.O./M.P.H.
• D.P.T./M.P.H.
• Psy.D./M.P.H.

Our full-time faculty are experienced researchers and recognized experts in public health. Their work is supplemented by part-time and adjunct faculty who are themselves senior administrators at hospitals and health care organizations, practicing epidemiologists, industrial hygiene specialists, health educators, and advocates. As such, we partner in important ways with the leaders of major industries and organizations with roots in Westchester. We are actively engaged in conducting and publishing applied research in areas such as the burden of injury and illness, community needs assessment, programmatic and economic evaluation of public health interventions, infectious disease, and chronic disease epidemiology; maternal and child health; the role of information technology, provisions and policies impacting long-term care, and employee health, safety, and wellbeing. Our Dr.P.H. students too come from a broad range of backgrounds, looking to have a broad impact.

Our public health degree programs are CEPH accredited. View our 2022 self-study report for re-accreditation.

STEM Eligibility

New York Medical College’s Department of Public Health programs in the School of Health Sciences and Practice are classified as STEM-eligible.

Located near New York City and with close relationships with local hospitals, county departments of public health, long-term care facilities, and other stakeholders in the health sector, students earning M.P.H. and Dr.P.H. degrees with us are exposed to continual professional development opportunities, helping qualifying students achieve a competitive advantage in the domestic and international job markets.

STEM-eligible concentrations include Master of Public Health-Generalist, Master of Science in Biostatistics, Master of Science in Epidemiology, and the Doctor of Public Health degrees.

The STEM designation of our degrees is aligned with the evolving nature of public health education and research, which has increasingly focused on preventive medicine, the biological sciences, health systems, and social factors that interact to influence population health. Many public health professionals now require a robust understanding of these factors to effectively address contemporary health challenges such as pandemics, chronic diseases, and environmental health risks. For instance, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of professionals who are trained in both public health practices and biomedical science, reinforcing the need for a more comprehensive scientific foundation in public health education.

The STEM classification of our programs captures the scientific and research-based nature of public health education, preparing graduates to meet the complex health challenges of today and tomorrow. Our Public Health degrees foster interdisciplinary education and are responsive to labor market demands. It emphasizes our commitment to preparing graduates for the complexities of modern public health challenges.

For questions about the STEM OPT Extension, international students are encouraged to contact Ms. Kyoko Tirado, Director of International Advisement, Office of International Students and Scholars by email at knakamur@nymc.edu.

Applied Practice Experience

The APE provides M.P.H. students with a structured public health practice experience whereby they can take a population-based approach to a public health problem and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom. Students demonstrate foundational and concentration-specific competency attainment through the APE. Approval by the student’s academic advisor is required.

The APE can be completed either in one semester or spread out over three semesters but must be completed within one year (three semesters) of registering for the APE. There is no incomplete option. APE guidelines are available in Canvas.

Leadership