Welcome to Public Health at Lehman!
Upon completion of Lehman College Public Health programs, students will be able to:
- Define the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society.
- Identify the underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.
- Address the socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities.
- Describe the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system as well as the differences in systems in other countries.
- Describe the basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, use, and analysis; and why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice.
- Implement the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology.
- Apply the fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment, and evaluation.
- Recognize the concepts of population health, and the basic processes, approaches, and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations.
Undergraduate and Certificate Offerings
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is a competitive major that challenges students to think critically about public health issues and propose solutions using anti-racism and social justice frameworks. Students learn to analyze behavioral, social, and structural determinants of health. Students may choose either (1) the public health science or (2) environmental and global health concentration based on their career aspirations.
The Public Health minor is an opportunity for students of any major to integrate public health studies in their Bachelor’s degree. This interdisciplinary minor stresses the intersectionality of public health challenges and the need to develop skills across multiple disciplines to solve complex population health problems. The 15-credit program requires: HSD 269 Fundamentals of Biostatistics for Health Professionals; HSD 306 Epidemiology; and HEA 300 Equity in Public Health; and 6-8 credits in electives.* Electives include courses in American Studies, Data Analytics, Economics, English, Geography, Health Education and Promotion, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
*Review the course bulletin for the full list of approved electives.
The Applied Research Methods Advanced Certificate in Public Health prepares students to examine population health challenges through rigorous quantitative and qualitative approaches. The certificate is designed to prepare health care professionals working in hospitals, community health centers, and other healthcare facilities in the Bronx and/or the metropolitan region to develop or upgrade their research skills and knowledge of public health. Courses include: PHE 600 Biostatistics in Public Health; PHE 606 Public Health Epidemiology; PHE 723 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology; PHE 710 Applications of Research Methods in Public Health; and PHE 700 History and Philosophy of Public Health.
The Lehman College – CUNY Graduate School of Public Health 4+1 Program is a partnership that allows current undergraduate public health majors and minors to apply to an MPH or MS program at SPH once they have completed 60 credits and, if accepted, pursue 3-18 credits of graduate-level courses that will dually apply to undergraduate requirements. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Current majors and minors should schedule an appointment with their faculty advisor to discuss their interest. Students are also encouraged to attend open houses at the CUNY SPH.
Graduates of our programs are equipped with skills and competencies to advance population health in the New York City region and to meet both national and global demands of current and emerging health trends. We are excited to embark on this journey with you!
For more information on any of our programs, please email the Director, Dr. Tailisha M. Gonzalez, at public.health@lehman.cuny.edu
