Public Health

Overview

Our straightforward curriculum ensures you graduate with an MS in Public Health on time and with purpose. No unnecessary stress. No guesswork. 

7 semesters. 6 credits per semester. Graduate on time and ready to lead.  

Download the Curriculum and Requirements Grid.

 

Full Course Descriptions

Semester 1

PUBH-5010 Foundations of Public Health (3 Credits) 
As defined by the American Public Health Association (APHA), "Public health promotes and protects the health of all people and their communities. This science-based, evidence-backed field strives to give everyone a safe place to live, learn, work and play." This core course provides an understanding of public health history, philosophy, values, concepts, functions, and dynamics to ensure all students are grounded in foundational public health knowledge. The course will allow students to fully understand what public health is, how public health functions and what it does to fulfill its mission not only in the U.S, but globally as well. This course will illustrate the many contemporary challenges facing public health both nationally and globally, dynamics of the U.S. public health system, and factors that influence population health both in the U.S. and globally: thus, establishing the global interconnectivity of health systems which is best exemplified with the latest COVID-19 pandemic. 

PUBH-5020 Determinants of Health (3 Credits) 
Since social and physical environments and health behaviors carry a far greater influence on health outcomes than medical care, this course will focus on the underlying causes of illness, wellness, and health by focusing on the evidence and the current theories supporting the underlying determinants of health. This course will also demonstrate how critical the understanding of determinants of health can impact public health research and planning, and public policy to promote healthier societies nationally and globally that provide greater health equity.  

PUBH-5030 Public Health Ethics (3 Credits) 
This course examines the normative frameworks and ethical issues as these are correlated to public health practice and policy. As such, public health policy is often the product of controversy. In this course, students will be introduced to a variety of ethical issues and cases concerning public health, both globally and domestically and will focus on two central ethical tensions shaping public health policy and practice between the allocation of resources and balancing community and individuals concerns. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5010, PUBH.5020 

PUBH-5040 Research Methods (3 Credits) 
This course will teach students the required concepts and skills to conduct research design, implementation, data collection and analysis, statistical tests, and report results, as these skills are essential to conducting original research, but also, to critically reviewing existing published public health research. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5010, PUBH.5020 

PUBH-5110 Health Policy (3 Credits) 
This course provides an overview of public health policy interventions decided, implemented, and influenced by the social, bureaucratic, and political environments, but also, by theoretical motivations which have consequences on population health. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5030, PUBH.5040 

PUBH-5120 Analytical Skills (3 Credits) 
This course focuses on the applied statistical (quantitative and qualitative) skills necessary to prepare students to answer public health questions using quantitative data and provide community members with the exact picture surrounding current populations health issues. In addition to applied statistical principles (quantitative and qualitative), this course focuses on data collection, analysis, interpretation, and most importantly, on the presentation of results to provide actionable insights based on analysis. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5030, PUBH.5040 

PUBH-5130 Environmental Health (3 Credits) 
This course covers global and local environmental issues. It examines the sources, routes, and the health impact correlated to physical, chemical, and biological agents in the environment and how these agents affect the air quality, health, diseases, food, and land resources in both occupational and community settings, thus demonstrating the interdependency between natural environments and humans. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5110, PUBH.5120 

PUBH-5140 Human Rights and Equity (3 Credits) 
This course provides a unique perspective on the interconnectivity of human rights and health equity in a changing world, not only in the United States, but globally. It will not only focus on the origins of human rights and health equity, but also on the notion of natural rights, or for example, the notion of religious and legal frameworks of health rights, but also, analyze the complementary and competing nature of human rights and the application of health for all including those in most need. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5110, PUBH.5120 

PUBH-5150 Public Health Program Planning (3 Credits) 
This course provides students with solid foundational knowledge and techniques to plan and evaluate public health programs, including administrative, behavioral, educational, and needs assessments, objective program writing, impact and outcome evaluation protocols, management, and evaluations. Students will apply the above knowledge and techniques to develop and critique both a public health program plan and evaluation plan. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5130, PUBH.5140 

PUBH-5160 Public Health Economics (3 Credits) 
To help students understand the delivery, financing, and organization of public health services within health systems, this course introduces economic concepts in the provision of all these health-related services: from the individual scale looking at the health care market mechanisms to identify the types of interventions the government and health care providers take (microeconomics), to the national scale of the economy (macroeconomies) by looking at the impact of economic growth, public health spending, public health policies on the health of the population. This course covers the demand and delivery for public health services, including the costs and the market structure within which they operate, along with the economic valuation and the cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-utility, and cost-consequence analysis. This course also compares the performance (equity and health outcomes) of public health systems around the world.  
Prerequisites: PUBH.5130, PUBH.5140 

PUBH-5170 Implementing PH Interventions (3 Credits) 
This course will focus on the correlation between theory, concepts, evidence, community engagement, and ethics, and the practical on-site issues resulting from the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public health interventions. Students will then focus on the identification of population needs, assets, and capacities to develop the appropriate interventions; then cover the implementation of public health interventions and strategies within a spectrum of socio-economical frameworks; and conclude with a focus on both the monitoring of interventions and evaluation of the public health intervention outcomes. Once again, students' focus shifts from evidence to action by building on the knowledge and skills acquired during all other courses. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5150, PUBH.5160

PUBH-5180 Pub Health Surveillance Methods (3 Credits) 
This course introduces public health surveillance concepts and principles by combining theory and practice by covering local, state, and national public health settings in the United States and globally to demonstrate how important these systems track diseases and any health threats. The course concludes by having students evaluate a surveillance system (individually or in groups, depending on the size of the selected system) and design a regional, state, or national system in cooperation with public health officials operating within the selected geographical setting. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5150, PUBH.5160

PUBH-5210 Public Health Practice (3 Credits) 
This course stands at the culmination of the program as it combines and applies principles and knowledge covered in all of the required courses to date, and uses evidence-based approaches and analytical skills to solve public health problems confronting the U.S. and the rest of the world, as COVID-19 has clearly reminded us, just like all prior pandemics did, that health knows no man-made borders. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5170, PUBH.5180

PUBH-5220 Public Health Practicum (1 Credits) 
This practicum is a supervised practical field experience that provides all participating graduate students with a unique opportunity to apply and further develop all the knowledge and skills which they acquired within the academic program in a public health organization, but also, in any organization where public health activities are implemented. Total practicum hours: 75. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5170, PUBH.5180

PUBH-5900 Public Health Capstone (2 Credits) 
This capstone reflects upon knowledge and practice and reflects the student's independent efforts under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The capstone is a significant milestone, but also the culmination of all other program activities. 
Prerequisites: PUBH.5170, PUBH.5180

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Across the MS in Public Health program, graduates develop expertise in:

• Evidence-based approaches to public health practice
• Policy development and advocacy
• Program planning and evaluation
• Leadership and systems thinking
• Cultural competency in health communication
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods

Through our program's focus on health equity and practical application as well as innovative research, graduates are prepared to:

• Pursue doctoral programs in public health
• Conduct research to address structural inequities in health systems
• Design and implement population-based health programs
• Analyze health policies and their impacts
• Lead public health initiatives
• Evaluate program effectiveness
• Communicate with diverse stakeholders

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MS in Public Health Careers and Salary Outlook 
Manhattanville’s Master of Science (MS) in Public Health prepares graduates for diverse positions across public health including: 

• Local, state, and federal government organizations 
• Healthcare systems 
• Higher Education and Research Institutions 
• International Health Organizations 
• Non-profit Organizations 

The MS in Public Health prepares graduates for high-demand roles with attractive average annual salaries such as:  
Epidemiologists - $81,390 
Postsecondary Educators - $84,380 
Medical and Health Services Managers - $110,680 Back to top

Faculty 
With decades of experience from local to global settings, our faculty brings a powerful blend of academic insights and real-world leadership in designing and driving public health programs.
Meet Manhattanville University faculty. Back to top

The MS in Public Health degree program at Manhattanville University welcomes applications from current professionals, recent graduates, or career changers who are enthusiastic about public health research and practice. 

There are no application deadlines, so you can submit your online application anytime for consideration. 

Application requirements:

• Completed application
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions
• Current resume/curriculum vitae
• Personal statement:  In no more than 750 words, tell us why you are pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health at Manhattanville University. What drives your public health interest? What public health issue are you most enthusiastic about? How will this program help you grow as a public health researcher, practitioner, and leader?  
• Two letters of recommendation: One from an academic reference who can speak to your intellectual abilities and potential for graduate-level work. One from a professional reference who can speak about your interests, ambitions, and work style.  

Review complete graduate admissions information and contact Graduate Admissions team members with any questions.

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Review up-to-date tuition and fee information. Students in the  MS in Public Health may qualify for  financial aid  at Manhattanville: 

• Federal Direct Loans
• Graduate PLUS Loans
• Merit-based scholarships
• If available, graduate assistantships

For complete information, review financial aid at Manhattanville and contact the Office of Financial Aid.

 

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Our program is built for impact. We offer a boutique experience with small class sizes of no more than 20 students. Direct access to program leadership and faculty. A straightforward, no-nonsense curriculum that keeps you on track to graduate. You’ll graduate with a research prospectus, a professional network, and real-world skills to lead in public health.  

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Yes! Our program follows a 6-credit-per-semester format ideal for balancing graduate school with work and personal commitments. Whether you’re already in public health or transitioning to it, you’ll graduate without burning out.   

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An MS in Public Health creates access to careers across public health, healthcare, government, consulting, and research sectors. Graduates work as health program managers, policy analysts, epidemiologists, research assistants, research professors, research directors, and data analysts. Graduates often pursue advanced studies such as PhD, DrPH, and MD degrees. Public health is a rapidly growing field with strong potential for meaningful work and competitive salaries. 

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No. We welcome applicants from diverse academic and professional paths who are enthusiastic about improving health outcomes and ready to lead public health programs to apply.  

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Manhattanville’s MS in Public Health is a 42-credit program designed for working professionals, typically completed in 24-48 months through part-time, distance education.

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