If you’re thinking about a career in public health, now is a great time, especially in New York. The city and state need skilled professionals who can help improve health systems, shape policy, and make changes in communities. MPH degrees are becoming more valuable than ever because they give you the knowledge, tools, and credentials to step into these roles confidently.
Picking the right MPH program isn’t easy; there are so many schools, different costs, formats, and specializations. You also have to make sure the program is accredited, that it gives you practical experience, and that it really sets you up for a job after graduation. It can get confusing fast.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve put together a list of the top MPH programs in New York that are trusted, respected, and designed to prepare graduates for in-demand careers. Each school summary will tell you about the program itself, how it’s offered, online, in-person, or hybrid, and its accreditation.
Best MPH Programs in New York
1. Columbia University – Mailman School of Public Health (MPH)
Columbia offers a two‑year MPH that weaves together seven integrated parts: a core curriculum, certificates, specializations, departmental courses, leadership training, experiential practicum, and science‑practice integration.
Students begin with a “studio” core that covers ethics, research methods, determinants of health, interventions, and systems thinking. Later, they choose a specialized department like epidemiology or policy and build expertise.
There’s also a one-year Accelerated MPH track for applicants who already have health-related work experience. The program includes a hands-on Applied Practice Experience (APEx) where students apply theory in real public health settings.
2. New York University (NYU) – School of Global Public Health (MPH)
NYU’s MPH is designed to give you a strong foundation plus the freedom to specialize. You can pick from nine concentrations, including Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Global Health, Nutrition, and more. The curriculum emphasizes public health systems, ethics, and data-driven solutions.
Students also complete a practical “Applied Practice Experience,” such as an internship, research project, or capstone. The program can be taken full‑time or part‑time. Some concentrations (Global Health, Public Health Nutrition, Community Health) are available 100% online, while others are in-person with many online electives.
3. CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (MPH)
CUNY SPH offers several MPH tracks, including Community Health, Environmental & Occupational Health, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, and Public Health Nutrition. These programs teach you to understand public health through the lens of equity, social determinants, and community practice.
Students learn how to design, run, and evaluate public health initiatives and policies. Format: Many of these MPH programs are fully online, though some are hybrid or on-campus. Their online courses can be synchronous (live) or asynchronous, and fieldwork can be done virtually or locally.
4. University at Albany, SUNY – MPH
At UAlbany, the MPH program gives you a strong grounding in public health basics and lets you specialize in areas like epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, or community health. Students also build real-world experience through a required internship of 720 hours, working in health departments or NGOs.
The program is flexible: you can study on campus full-time or part-time, or opt for a part-time online public health track designed for working professionals. The school meets high standards, and the MPH is fully accredited by CEPH.
5. University at Buffalo – MPH (Public Health / Health Services Administration / Epidemiology)
Buffalo’s MPH offers several pathways depending on your interests. Their Individualized MPH lets you tailor your degree around your passions, while the Health Services Administration MPH trains you in program planning, policy evaluation, and managing health services.
They also have a fully online Epidemiology MPH that covers disease trends, statistics, and research methods. Whether you go online or in person, you’ll complete coursework, a field experience, and a capstone or project. Their programs are CEPH-accredited, which speaks to the quality of their public health education.
6. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University – MPH
Downstate’s MPH program emphasizes health equity and serving diverse, marginalized communities in New York. You can concentrate in Biostatistics, Community Health, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, or Health Policy & Management.
The program offers both in-person classes in Brooklyn and a fully online option, and you can finish the degree in as little as 12 months if you go full-time. Downstate is deeply rooted in its urban context, giving you fieldwork opportunities in real Brooklyn neighborhoods. The MPH program is CEPH-accredited, ensuring it meets rigorous national standards.
7. Stony Brook University – MPH
Stony Brook’s MPH is designed to prepare public health leaders who are thoughtful, creative, and ready to tackle big problems. You’ll take classes in epidemiology, health policy, and community health, working with a multidisciplinary faculty.
There’s also an accelerated BS-to-MPH option if you’re already an undergrad at Stony Brook and want to finish both degrees in about five years. The program is on campus, but students build strong public health experience through research and fieldwork.
8. Hofstra University – MPH
Hofstra’s MPH is a 42-credit program that blends public health theory, policy, and community practice. You’ll learn how to plan, evaluate, and run health programs, and gain experience through an applied practice placement and a capstone learning project.
Courses are delivered through a mix of distance learning, hybrid classes, and in-person instruction, and you can complete the degree full-time in as little as 13 months, or take it part-time over up to three years.
Your instructors are expert practitioners from health, business, law, and more. Hofstra’s MPH is CEPH-accredited, the only accredited MPH in parts of Long Island and Queens.
9. Adelphi University – MPH (Online)
Adelphi’s MPH is fully online, making it ideal for working professionals who want flexibility. It’s a 42-credit program where you study topics like epidemiology, environmental health, and public health policy.
Even though it’s online, you’ll do a field practicum and a capstone project to apply what you learn. Classes are small, and the instructors are very accessible. The program is CEPH-accredited, which means the education meets high-quality standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (MPH in New York)
1. Do New York MPH programs allow part‑time or online study?
Yes. Several MPH programs in New York let you study part-time, and some even offer fully online or hybrid formats. This flexibility is designed to help working professionals balance school with other commitments.
2. Can I transfer credits into an MPH program in New York?
In some programs, yes. For example, NYU’s MPH lets you transfer up to 9 credits, but the courses must be from an accredited institution and approved by the school.
3. Do MPH programs in New York require GRE scores?
Not always. Many schools have dropped the GRE requirement for their MPH programs. It’s important to check each school’s admissions page for the most up-to-date policy. (For instance, NYU’s MPH does not require the GRE.)
4. What career paths are common for MPH graduates in New York?
MPH graduates in New York go into diverse roles: epidemiologists, public health policy analysts, community health leaders, biostatisticians, and health educators are among the common paths. Some also work in local or state health departments or non‑profits.
5. How long does it take to complete an MPH in New York?
It varies. Many full‑time MPH programs take about 2 years, while part‑time or hybrid options can stretch to 3–4 years. For example, NYU’s MPH can be completed in 3–4 years if taken part‑time.