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

Public Health Advanced Certificates

In partnership with NYMC and Touro University schools, the Department oversees the Pharm.D./M.P.H. and the D.D.S./M.P.H. joint degree programs for students who wish to broaden their skills, knowledge, and career options. 

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 Designated Program

Our M.P.H. Epidemiology is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) designated program which may allow international students on an F-1 visa to remain in the United States or an additional two years after graduation to receive training through work experience. The STEM-designated program will provide international students with professional opportunities to enhance their skills and proficiency in a career in public health.

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

Square

Kenneth A. Knapp, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Public Health; Director, Dr.P.H. Program, Public Health | School of Health Sciences & Practice

Contact

Department of Public Health
School of Health Sciences and Practice
SHSP Building, #213
public_health@nymc.edu

Cindy Jakubowski 
Administrative Assistant
(914) 594-2045
cindy_jakubowski@nymc.edu