Education
At the Columbia Aging Center, we are training the next generation of aging researchers and policy makers.
Columbia University offers a number of avenues for students to pursue an education on aging at the undergraduate and graduate level. There are aging course offerings in biology, psychology, sociomedical sciences, global thought listed in the directory of courses (keyword "aging"). In addition to these courses, the Mailman School of Public Health offers doctoral and masters programs within which students may pursue the Health of an Aging Society Certificate. The Columbia Aging Center fosters student groups like "Perspectives on Aging" and mentors doctoral students.
Health of an Aging Society Certificate
As part of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health's innovative Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum, students across all of our departments -- Sociomedical Sciences, Populations and Family Health, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Health Policy & Management -- are eligible to complete a certificate in the Health of an Aging Society. Meeting the needs of our aging society and operationalizing the evidence for the foundations of healthy longevity across the life course is the major public health challenge of the 21st century. The training and leadership of today's students is crucial to mapping the implications of aging and structuring effective future policies and programs that address the welfare of aging populations. Our certificate offers graduates an ecological approach to aging and comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives on aging in societies. As an aging society is often framed as a negative problem, the curriculum will consider ways to frame a rights-oriented perspective to policies and programs for older persons. Visit the Mailman School's aging certificate webpage for more information on the certificate's required courses, certificate electives, and scheduling.
Competencies
Upon completion of this certificate, our MPH students will be able to:
- Analyze the constellation of biological, social, and behavioral changes associated with aging.
- Synthesize social, developmental, and economic factors contributing to health and illness in global aging populations.
- Apply biological, medical, social, or behavioral science research approaches to understand public health issues relevant to aging and increased health span.
- Develop and evaluate policies and programs to promote equitable access to healthy aging at every stage of the life course.
- Design services and interventions to promote the physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects of healthy aging using relevant behavioral and social science theoretical approaches.
Sample required, selective and elective courses include:
• (Y)our Longer Life
• Lifecourse Epidemiology
• Biology of Health and Aging
• Aging: Issues, Policy, Research
• Generative AI for Epidemiologists
• Demography and Public Health: Understanding to Action
• Epidemiology of Neurological Disorders
• Ethical Decision-Making: How to make ethical decisions and justify complex policies
• Genetic epidemiology of aging and age-related disease
• Post-Acute + Long Term Care Delivery Systems
• Sociomedical Sciences Applied Quantitative Research Methods
• The Scientist and the Storyteller
Longevity Fellowships & Global Internships and Training
Our Longevity Fellowships support Columbia Mailman MPH students enrolled in the Health of an Aging Society Certificate to pursue APEx practica in aging science and practice. The call for applicants takes place in February each year. The Center also supports matching MPH students with global and national internship opportunities. Please contact columbiaagingcenter@cumc.columbia.edu for more information.
Excellence in Aging Research Student Prize
The Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and the Health of an Aging Society Certificate Program established the annual Excellence in Aging Research Award. This prize is awarded to a master-level student whose thesis, Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) report, or completed APEx report shows outstanding promise for the field of aging and for building health across the life course. Master’s students interested in this award are encouraged to become involved in the Center’s community by attending aging seminars, connecting with the aging certificate leads, becoming involved in the Center’s research programs, or contributing to the student organization “Perspectives on Aging” (PoA). To connect with the Center or PoA, email columbiaagingcenter@cumc.columbia.edu.
Eligibility Criteria: The Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center Excellence Award is open to all graduating MPH/MS/MHA students, regardless of certificate or track where applicable and must be in good academic standing.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
Columbia Mailman School's Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) can be obtained in Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Population and Family Health (Leadership in Global Health and Humanitarian Systems), or Sociomedical Sciences; and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can be obtained in Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, or Sociomedical Sciences. The Sociomedical Sciences PhD program is interdisciplinary, with study divided between the Mailman School and one of several departments in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Anthropology, History, Psychology, or Sociology ). Visit Columbia Mailman School's doctoral program webpage for degree competencies, curriculum plans, and admissions requirements.
"Perspectives on Aging" Student Group
Perspectives on Aging (PoA) is a student-run group based at Columbia Mailman. The group's objectives are to sponsor events that explore key issues regarding aging and health from multiple perspectives, provide an environment in which students can explore ideas about how public health can best address the challenge of an aging society, and raise awareness among the Mailman School of Public Health and the larger university environment about the implications of aging and health for a variety of subjects. More information on PoA may be found here.