Pathway Programs

Columbia Public Health provides programming that serves students at varying levels by introducing them to public health and environmental health studies. These include several mentoring and pathway programs offered at Columbia University Medical Center.

The Biostatistics Enrichment Summer Training Diversity Program (BEST)

BEST seeks to expand and diversify the behavioral and biomedical sciences workforce by introducing undergraduates from underrepresented populations to the value of biostatistics and critical thinking to public health and medicine, with a focus on cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. 

The Environmental heAlth sciences Research for Teachers and High school students Program (EARTH)

The EARTH program, a collaboration between the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., is funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. The EARTH Program, directed by Anne Nigra, is a structured summer environmental health sciences research program for high school students and teachers from three Native communities in the Northern Plains.

FORWARD Fellows

The FORWARD Fellows program is open to current master’s students at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and provides paid training opportunities for students to work on racial justice and develop skills for organizational change around racial justice. Please check back in Fall 2021 for more information about applying.

Program to Inspire and Mentor Undergraduates in Environmental Health Science Research (PrIMER) 

PrIMER is a full-time research opportunity for undergraduate students in STEM fields. They will conduct research with faculty, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows at Columbia University, earn credits for any required research internships, earn money for working in a lab, and explore the possibility of a career in science.

The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP)

SPHSP is designed for undergraduates entering their junior or senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students who are undecided about their career goals. This is a rigorous program that includes Public Health coursework at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders; and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring students' exposure to the breadth and importance of public health as a career option.