About the school

Founded in 1922, Columbia University – Mailman School of Public Health prepares you to tackle modern-day challenges ranging from ageing and health inequities to humanitarian emergencies, climate crisis, and more. One of the oldest public health academies in the country with over 16,000 alumni members, the school has academic departments for Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Population & Family Health, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Policy & Management, and Sociomedical Sciences. You can pursue a degree in Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Health Administration (MHA). The school also offers doctoral programmes, dual degrees, and professional and executive education. Owing to a median class size of 24 students and 171 full-time faculty members, you get focused attention for the best possible academic outcome and career success.

Where is the school located?

Mailman School of Public Health is situated in the bustling city of New York, in close proximity to iconic buildings and cultural and commercial centres.

Life at Mailman School of Public Health

At Mailman School of Public Health, you can not only forge friendships with students from around the world, but also help the community, get involved in various causes, and hone your leadership skills. There are plenty of organisations and clubs that promote awareness and advocate social change on everything from the environment and health matters to women empowerment, food policies, disability, and trauma. You can be a part of many conferences, events, volunteering activities, and even theatrical productions. The school boasts students from 66 countries, 50% of whom constitute racial or ethnic minorities, which makes for a highly diverse and inclusive environment.

You can choose to live on the Columbia University Irving Medical Centre campus or rent a place in one of the neighbourhoods such as Queens, Brooklyn, or Bronx. Public transportation, such as buses and subways, ensures convenient off-campus mobility. On-campus housing choices encompass studio apartments, dorm-style rooms, and suites, all strategically located near lecture halls, the library, athletic centre, the campus bookstore, and transportation hubs. As far as meals are concerned, you can opt for the full meal plan or partial plan, priced differently for on-campus and off-campus students. From salads and soups to entrees, desserts, and beverages, you can look forward to wholesome, nutritious meals and even get them packed to enjoy on the go.

Additional benefits of studying at Mailman School of Public Health

Experiential learning is a key area of focus for the school, whether you are keen on field practice, inter-professional service learning opportunities, or internships. The Office of Careers and Practice supports you to achieve your goals, helps with essential documentation and orientation, and even facilitates networking. You learn how to write resumes, ace interviews, and find dream jobs. The office conducts career fairs, workshops, and more to help you navigate the professional world easily. The school boasts multiple research centres too, for immunity, ageing, public health, HIV, and so on. In fact, the faculty and staff at the school carry out research in over 100 countries. Moreover, as you live in New York, you get to secure employment with leading private companies, government agencies, non-profit organisations, consulting firms, and hospitals. There is much to see and experience in the city as well, be it grand architectural gems, live music, parks, or museums.

Admissions criteria

You need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or college to apply to Mailman School of Public Health. Remember that application specifics and deadlines might vary across programmes, check the website before going ahead. Many programmes might require you to have certain work experiences too. Make sure to plan ahead and develop a budget as well, so your stint at the school can go smoothly post admission.

You need to include the following types of information in your application in general:

• Completed online application form
• 3 Recommendation Letters: covering research and academic abilities, capacity to understand and assimilate new knowledge etc.
• Statement of Purpose: 500 to 1000 words, covering reasons for application, interests, goals etc.
• Resume: Academic degrees, employment, professional skills, experiences, volunteer activities, and awards
• Official Transcripts from Previous Institutions: If you completed studies in the USA or English Canada
• WES course-by-course evaluation required in case you have studied till date outside of the USA and English Canada
• GRE/MCAT/GMAT/DAT/LSAT: Optional and might vary across programmes
• Proof of English proficiency: TOEFL (100)/IELTS (7.5)/Duolingo (135)
• Writing sample might be required for doctoral students
  
• Costs which are not consistent throughout school admissions information online:
• Programme fees
  
• Student activity fee
• Health service fee
• Health insurance
• Food and housing
• Personal expenses
• Books and supplies
• Transportation

To obtain more information about the admission process or scholarships or financial aid, please go through the school’s website.

Job placements

96% of the students from the class of 2020-21 found employment or chose to continue education within 6 months of graduation. 29% found jobs in healthcare, 15% in consulting, 10% in government agencies, 11% in universities, and 9% in domestic non-profit organisations. Salaries ranged from $34,000 to $600,000. Employers included Mercer, Alvarez & Marsal, Booz Allen Hamilton, Mayo Clinic, UNICEF, WHO, USFDA, Cigna, Pfizer, Johns Hopkins, Harvard University, and many more renowned names.

Average starting salaries across all graduates by industry:

• Healthcare: $103,232
• Pharmaceuticals: $102,388
• Consulting: $99,937
• Insurance: $94,301
• Technology: $85,938
• Marketing: $74,963