Frequently Asked Questions

The Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health (Columbia Public Health) is the public health graduate school of Columbia University, located on the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus in Manhattan. 

It was founded in 1922 (as the DeLamar Institute of Public Health) and formally became a school in 1945. 

The School is consistently ranked among the top public health institutions in the U.S. 

The School’s mission is to educate the next generation of public health leaders, conduct groundbreaking discoveries, and deliver solutions to protect and improve the health of people everywhere. 

Its vision includes emphasizing health equity, scientific rigor, and community impact, and leveraging Columbia’s interdisciplinary strengths. 

The address is 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 (Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus). 

Visitors can schedule an in-person campus visit here: Connect with Us.

Travel directions, maps, and tips are also available, along with a virtual tour video.

The school encompasses about 1,500 students (master’s and doctoral) and about 500 (180 full-time) faculty members. 

Key centers and programs include:

• Center for Infection and Immunity
• ICAP at Columbia
• Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center
• Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
• Center for Achieving Resilience in Climate and Health

Additionally, the School awards the Calderone Prize in Public Health, a prestigious award for transformative contributions in public health. 

The School offers a wide array of graduate public health degrees: MPH, MS, MHA, PhD, and DrPH. 

They also offer multiple dual degrees (e.g. MD/MPH, JD/MPH, MBA/MPH), and 4+1 BA/MPH tracks in partnership with other undergraduate schools at Columbia and Vassar College.

Columbia’s MPH is structured around seven integrated components including core curriculum, certificates, interdisciplinarity, practicum, leadership, and integration of science and practice. 

While most students take two years to complete, an Accelerated MPH option is available for eligible candidates.

Applications for MPH, MS, PhD, DrPH are submitted via SOPHAS. 

Applicants to the MHA/Executive MPH programs may also use HAMPCAS. 

Typical requirements include:

• 3 letters of recommendation 
• Official transcripts from all prior education
• Personal statement / Statement of Purpose 
• A resume or CV 
• Evidence of quantitative and analytical ability (via coursework or application assessment) 
• For international applicants: English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) and credential evaluation when needed 

Note: For many master’s programs, standardized test scores are optional (for Fall 2026, GRE is optional). 

For Fall admissions, most master’s programs have a preferred deadline of December 1, and a final deadline of  January 15 or later (depending on the program).  Some Master of Science (MS) and online programs have later deadlines.

Doctoral (PhD, DrPH) applications generally have a firm deadline of December 1.

See Deadlines for more information.

Admissions to the program are competitive and based on a comprehensive holistic review process. An admissions committee evaluates each applicant across multiple criteria, such as academic record, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, research/field experience, and quantitative skillset.

Successful applicants typically demonstrate some research experience, robust quantitative coursework or relevant professional field work. Program-specific criteria and emphasis may vary, so applicants are encouraged to review departmental guidelines for further details.

Yes—all two-year MPH students must enroll in a certificate program. 

Certificates are Columbia-approved credentials that provide specialized training in a focused public health area within or outside of one’s departmental discipline. 

In the first semester of the MPH (and Accelerated MPH), students are strongly advised against working to focus on the integrated core curriculum. 

In later semesters, students may engage in part-time work if manageable. 

Though on-campus housing opportunities are available for full-time students, housing is not guaranteed. Off-campus housing listings for rent in non-Columbia University-owned properties are available and many Columbia Mailman students also explore living throughout New York City.

Student life is vibrant at Mailman, drawing on the Columbia medical center and New York City, with over 30 active student clubs, seminars, career services, and strong community connections. 

Through the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), there are extensive resources and opportunities for student engagement, student support, and enrollment services. OSA also leads school-wide programming, from designing comprehensive orientation experiences for new students, to celebrating student achievements as they prepare to graduate.

Students have access to individual non-clinical support, referrals to campus resources, and programming that leads students through a successful educational journey.

Additionally, enrollment services helps with registration processes, general academic advising, monitoring academic progress, and a host of other crucial services to keep students on track in their academic programs.

The School offers financial aid, including institutional academic merit- and need-based aid, grants and endowment scholarships. Prospective students who are US citizens or permanent residents should review Financial Aid information and abide by FAFSA deadlines to be reviewed for federal government loans such as the federal direct unsubsidized loan.

For U.S. students, the FAFSA deadline is typically January 15 (for the academic year) to be considered for institutional need-based aid.  Students have the full academic year to apply for a federal government loan.

Specific departmental or program fellowships may have separate deadlines.

Being in New York City is a unique advantage: access to public health agencies (e.g. NYC Department of Health), hospitals, NGOs, research centers, and community organizations. 

The city offers exposure to diverse populations, public health challenges (environment, policy, social determinants), and opportunities for applied work and internships.

The Office of Admissions can be reached at ph-admit@columbia.edu. Virtual chat sessions and informational events are periodically hosted. 

All Columbia students are responsible for upholding University student policies. In addition, students are required to familiarize themselves on Standards & Discipline, as well as the Community Standards that promote a thriving community at Mailman. During pre-orientation, students are introduced to the Student Handbook that outlines various academic policies and expectations.

The School’s research spans a wide range: epidemiology of chronic and infectious diseases, environmental health, climate and health, health systems and policy, aging, health equity, social determinants, data science, precision prevention, and more. 

Researchers collaborate across Columbia (e.g. Data Science Institute, Climate School), medical faculties, and global institutions. 

The interconnection with the medical center allows for translational and clinical public health research. 

Some examples include:

• Center for Infection and Immunity
• ICAP at Columbia
• Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center
• Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
• Center for Achieving Resilience in Climate and Health

See more in Groundbreaking Research.

Students typically have opportunities for research via:

• Applied Practice Experience (APEx)
• Assistantships or fellowships under faculty
• Independent or thesis-based research (especially in MS, PhD or DrPH tracks)
• Collaborations across departments or centers

Yes—many departments and centers provide internal grants, fellowships, or support for student-led projects (especially for doctoral and advanced master’s students).

External funding (e.g. NIH, foundations) is also accessible especially when guided by faculty mentors.

The School partners broadly with local (NYC) agencies such as the NYC Department of Health, community organizations in Washington Heights and beyond, global NGOs, and international academic and policy institutions. Such collaborations often underpin fieldwork, implementation research, policy evaluation, and community-engaged research.

The Community Health Collaborative (CHEC) serves as a hub to deepen school-wide partnerships at the School with our neighbors. It connects Columbia Mailman faculty, students, and staff with local organizations, leaders, and residents to encourage collaborations that support real-world public health solutions that address health disparities and target health equity for all.

Research findings are translated into policy briefs, community interventions, academic publications, public engagement, and often collaboration with governmental or NGO stakeholders.

Researchers also disseminate via lectures, media, and public communication.