Public Health (MPH)

Graduate School

Program Website

Graduate Field

Public Health and Planetary Health

Program Description

The Cornell University Master of Public Health Program offers a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree through
the Graduate School. Concentrations for the Cornell M.P.H. degree include:

  • Emergency Preparedness & Management
  • Environment, Climate & Health
  • Food Systems & Health
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

M.P.H. program is made up of three types of courses: Core, Concentration, and Integrative. All students take Core courses at the same time, in a prescribed sequence. All concentration cohorts take their Concentration courses at the same time, in a prescribed sequence. All students must complete applied practice and Integrative learning courses to complement their concentration course work. The entire program takes two academic years to complete (52 credits of in-person study). Alternative course of study pathways exist for students matriculated into the Accelerated or Part-time programs.

Core courses: Students must take 30 credits of required core courses for graduation, reflecting the Program’s commitment to broad, generalizable professional public health education and training. A number of these courses are community engaged – students will work on real-life projects with and for community and government partners. Accelerated students take 28 credits of core courses.

Concentration courses: Students must take 12 credits of required concentration-specific courses for graduation, reflecting the Program’s commitment to development of expertise in one area of public health.

Applied Practice and Integrative Learning: Students complete up to 4 credits of courses that prepare them for applied practice experiences; as a part of this, students engage in extra-curricular project work under the supervision of a public health mentor, and develop products of benefit to the field of public health. In addition, students complete at least 3 credits of courses that facilitate integrative learning related to the student’s concentration area; this results in a high-quality written document that is of benefit to the field of public health.

Electives: Elective courses offer students an opportunity to pursue their individual interests through a system of structured choices. Most students take at least 6 credits of elective courses. (accelerated students are exempt)