Public Health Management

Public health management is a field that focuses on planning, organizing and overseeing health programs to improve population well-being. It involves the management of public health systems, disease prevention, policy implementation and resource allocation to enhance healthcare access and outcomes. Effective management requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers and communities.

Key components of public health management include:

• Population-level focus: Rather than treating individuals, public health management addresses the health needs of entire communities—working to improve outcomes and reduce disparities.
• Management of systems and programs: This field ensures that public health services—such as vaccination programs, health education and disease prevention initiatives—run efficiently, effectively and equitably.
• Strategic planning and policy development: Public health managers create and implement strategies, policies and plans designed to tackle health issues, from chronic disease to environmental health risks.
• Resource management: Managers oversee budgets, staffing and infrastructure, ensuring that resources are allocated where they can have the greatest impact.
• Data-driven decision making: Using health data and analytics, managers evaluate programs, monitor trends and guide evidence-based decisions.
• Cross-sector collaboration: Managers work with government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers and community groups to coordinate efforts and communicate clearly with the public.

You can pursue leadership and management careers in various sectors such as healthcare administration, policy development, research and community health. Careers include Hospital Administrator/Manager, Health Services Administrator, Public Health Administrator, Healthcare Consultant, Health Educator, Emergency Management Director, Nutritionist, Clinical Research Coordinator, Medical Director, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Public Health Nurse, Policy Analyst for health insurance plans and more.

Explore the paths our graduates take on our employment statistics page, and visit our Public Health Career Hub to learn more about what you can do with a degree in public health.

It takes two years to complete the program for full-time students and three to four years to complete for part-time students.

We welcome applications from candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in any major from a regionally accredited institution or the international equivalent. Reviewers consider your overall GPA, coursework, grades and any changes or improvements in your academic performance. Undergraduate seniors should apply after their final Fall semester grades are posted.

We don’t require nor consider the GRE as part of your application. While we don’t require previous work experience, we do value public health-related work, volunteer, research and/or internship experience as part of our review process.

Learn more about our admissions process, requirements, application deadlines and how to apply.

The core courses are:

• GPH-GU 2030 Introduction to Global Health
• GPH-GU 2106 Epidemiology
• GPH-GU 2140 Global Issues in Social & Behavioral Health
• GPH-GU 2110 Health Care Policy
• GPH-GU 2112 Public Health Policy and Management
• GPH-GU 2153 Global Environmental Health
• GPH-GU 2995 Biostatistics for Public Health
• GPH-GU 5171 Global Health Informatics Workshop
• GPH-GU 5170 Introduction to Public Health

Public Health Management is a specialized area within public health that focuses on leadership, strategy and the efficient operation of health systems. While general public health explores a broad range of topics—like epidemiology, health behavior and environmental health—public health management emphasizes how to organize, fund and lead public health and health care organizations.

We automatically consider all incoming domestic and international Master's students for merit-based scholarships. There's no separate application for you to complete. Visit our tuition, financial aid and scholarships page to learn more.

We connect students to prestigious, real-world experiences through fellowships, internships and trainings like HRTP and the LifeSci NYC Internship Program.

HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program at the NYC Health Department is one of the country's longest-running and largest public health traineeships. The program gives students access to hands-on projects at the forefront of public health. For over 60 years, students have worked alongside experienced professionals to apply classroom knowledge to pressing health challenges—gaining skills in planning, research, evaluation and administration. This immersive experience also helps the Department of Health identify and recruit rising leaders in the field.

The LifeSci NYC Internship Program is the City of New York's innovative paid internship program that develops the next generation of life sciences leaders. Interns receive training in hard skills in the sciences and in the soft skills of professional and personal development through a combination of real-world work and curated curriculum. Host organizations range from startups to major biotech and pharmaceutical firms—as well as companies supporting the industry in areas like marketing, capital investment and public relations.

In addition to demonstrating MPH core competencies, you’ll gain these key competencies:

• Describe the importance of utilizing evidence-based theories or frameworks, such as logic models, in the design and implementation of public health programs.
• Describe the legal basis for public health and health services.
• Assess an organizational initiative and recommend steps to address the strengths and weaknesses of the initiative.
• Apply the principles and tools of budgeting and resource management to improve the performance of public health and health care delivery organizations.
• Apply principles of strategic management to public health.