The CUNY School of Public Health offers a curriculum that prepares students to meet the public health challenges of the 21st century. It emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex health problems by analyzing their causes at various levels of organization (e.g., individual, family, community, city, and nation) and planning interventions that addresses these multiple levels of influence. It recognizes the importance of culture and community and seeks to prepare graduates who can work with diverse populations to achieve common health goals. Courses provide students with up-to-date scientific knowledge so they can translate findings into programs and policies that make a difference. With a focus on urban populations, the curriculum prepares students to understand the health impact of global migration and the many ways that cities around the world can learn from each to improve public health.
The revised curriculum for the MPH is currently under review by the New York State Department of Education with approval expected by Fall 2010.
Each degree program offers courses that realize its curricular goals as applied to the professional demands on graduates of that degree.
Community Health (COMHE) 60 credits
Students enter with 60 credits of prior undergraduate courses and complete an additional 60 credits in public health, community health, nutrition and the social sciences.
Nutrition and Food Sciences (NFS) 60 credits
Students complete 60 credits including 30 credits of prerequisite science courses before entering the program and then an additional 60 credits of science, nutrition and elective courses.
MPH students in all specializations complete the following five core public health courses, which provide the basic foundation for public health practice and research:
All students complete a supervised fieldwork placement in which they have an opportunity to practice skills taught in the classroom. An accompanying seminar allows students to critically analyze these experiences. Students also complete a capstone project, research paper or Masters Essay and participate in a seminar in which they discuss their projects. Finally, each MPH student completes the courses for their specific specialization as well as the necessary electives.
MPH Specializations:
Community/Public Health Nursing / Urban Public Health (MPH/MS) 57 credits
Students complete 27 credits in nursing and 27 in public health, including the public health core courses as well as 3 elective credits. More information. <pdf>
Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (MS) 46 credits
Students complete core public health courses, environmental health sciences courses, field work and a capstone project for this degree which is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. More information.
Nutrition (MS) 41 credits
Students complete courses in clinical and community nutrition, food sciences, and a practicum. Prerequisites are 30 undergraduate or graduate credits in math, science and nutrition courses. Prepares students to take the test to become a Registered Dietitian. More information.
Dietetic Internship (DI)
This program provides students with 35 weeks of supervised practice and didactic experiences. Students are required to gain experience in all areas of dietetics: clinical, community, and food service systems management. More information.
In keeping with the interdisciplinary focus of the DPH, students in all four specializations are required to take three interdisciplinary core courses, two research seminars, one course in a doctoral department outside public health and to complete a 12 credit Leadership Development Project. All students also complete a dissertation based on original research, for which 12 credits are awarded. Finally, each specialization requires 3-4 courses in their specialization area. Students enter the program after they have completed a Masters of Public Health degree or an equivalent graduate degree. More information.
DPH Specializations:
Information on DPH Coursework and Curriculum by specialization.
