Social and Behavioral Sciences Concentration

Social and behavioral sciences in public health explore how society, culture, psychology, and behavior shape health outcomes and influence public health strategies. This field focuses on understanding socially structured inequalities, cultural influences, and behavioral patterns that contribute to health disparities.

By applying research, behavioral change theories, and applied practice experiences, experts develop and implement interventions that promote health equity and improve well-being. Addressing health challenges at the individual, community, and societal levels, professionals in this field design programs and policies that drive meaningful change and advance public health efforts.

Social and behavioral sciences are important because they help us understand the social, psychological, and behavioral factors that shape health outcomes. By examining socially structured inequalities, cultural influences, and individual behaviors, this field enables the development of targeted interventions that drive behavioral change and improve well-being.

These disciplines are vital for crafting public health policies, research projects and community programs that reduce disparities and promote health equity. Through applied practice experiences, professionals gain the skills needed to implement evidence-based strategies that strengthen public health systems, expand employment opportunities and enhance overall quality of life.

An MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences is a degree that prepares students to analyze and address the social, psychological, and behavioral factors shaping public health. Rooted in psychology and behavioral science, this program equips students with research skills and evidence-based approaches to design, implement, and evaluate interventions that drive behavioral change, reduce health disparities and promote social justice.

Through applied practice experiences, research projects, and internships, students gain hands-on training in public health methodologies, policy development and community-based strategies. Graduates are well-equipped to make informed decisions and pursue diverse employment opportunities in public health agencies, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and academic institutions, where they work to advance health equity at the individual, community and societal levels.

The core courses include:

• 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

In addition to demonstrating MPH core competencies, students in our MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences gain these key competencies:

• Critically assess the literature related to social and behavioral aspects of health
• Explain major theories, trends, and debates in the social and behavioral sciences literature regarding health
• Critically review and contrast two theories or theoretical frameworks in social and behavioral sciences to assess the overall utility of each theory or framework
• Conduct pilot testing to evaluate the quality of a research survey or assessment
  Apply ethical principles to public health research and evaluation

Here are some ways our students are already driving change in their fieldwork:

Responding to Disaster: Supporting Elderly Communities After Hurricane Sandy
After Hurricane Sandy, MPH students engaged in boots-on-the-ground fieldwork, surveying elderly residents in impacted communities. With power outages, supply shortages, and healthcare disruptions, older adults faced significant challenges in accessing essential services. Students gathered firsthand accounts of their experiences, identifying gaps in emergency response and recovery efforts. Their work not only informed future disaster preparedness strategies but also strengthened community partnerships, ensuring more effective support for vulnerable populations in times of crisis.

Harm Reduction Advocacy: Learning from Overdose Survivors
In collaboration with harm reduction advocates, students took to the streets of New York to engage directly with individuals who had survived opioid overdoses. By speaking with people who had been revived, students gained critical insights into the experience of overdose reversal, the challenges of accessing treatment, and the systemic barriers that prevent long-term recovery. These conversations informed public health policies and intervention strategies, reinforcing the program’s commitment to evidence-based behavioral change and harm reduction approaches.

Public Health Advocacy in Brooklyn: Driving Policy and Community Change
MPH students also take an active role in public health advocacy efforts throughout Brooklyn, working alongside local organizations to promote policies that address health disparities. Whether advocating for improved access to healthcare, substance use treatment, or housing support, students engage in real-world policymaking that directly impacts the health and well-being of local communities. Through these applied practice experiences, they gain invaluable research skills and decision-making expertise, preparing them to lead in the evolving field of public health.

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

Yes, you can complete an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences while working full-time. We hold some classes at night and on the weekends to accommodate working professionals.

Yes, we consider all incoming Master’s students for merit-based scholarships and award them to students who demonstrate an exceptional academic record and strong leadership potential. There's no separate scholarship application for you to complete. Learn more about NYU GPH's tuition, financial aid and scholarships.

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 MPH requirements, application deadlines and how to apply.

February 1 is the Priority Deadline and May 1 is the Final Deadline for Fall 2025. We encourage applicants to submit by the priority deadline because scholarships are more plentiful earlier in the application cycle. We also encourage international applicants to submit by the priority deadline to ensure adequate time for visa processing.

Once an application is complete, it’s forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. We release decision notifications starting in February and afterwards on a rolling basis.

We may accept applications after May 1 on a rolling basis for programs with available seats. Visit our How to Apply: Master of Public Health (MPH) page for more information.

In the past three years, our graduates have advanced to prestigious positions such as Program Officer at the CDC Foundation, Division Chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone Health and Clinical Research Coordinator at UCSF’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology.

Graduates also secure job roles like:

• Behavioral Health Specialist: Deliver behavioral health interventions for specific populations like individuals with substance abuse issues or chronic diseases.
• Health Promotion Coordinator: Develop health promotion programs, providing strategies for individuals or groups to enhance their nutrition, get more exercise, and limit or stop harmful habits like smoking and drinking.
• Policy Analyst: Analyze public health policies and advocate for behavioral health promotion.
• Research Assistant/Coordinator: Conduct behavioral research studies on factors affecting health. 
   

Visit the NYU GPH employment statistics page to explore the paths our graduates take, and our Public Health Career Hub to learn more about the impactful career opportunities available after earning an MPH degree.

The most rewarding aspects of a career include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Making a positive impact on people’s lives: Graduates can actively contribute to improving individuals' well-being, tackling issues like mental health, education, poverty and healthcare disparities.
• Diverse career paths: The field is highly interdisciplinary.  Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in a range of fields like psychology, sociology, anthropology and public health.
• Deep understanding of human behavior: Studying societal factors allows you to gain insights into human behavior, motivations, and decision-making, allowing you to develop effective solutions.
• Personal growth: Engaging with diverse populations fosters empathy, personal growth and a broader perspective on the world and the impact you can make on it.

The MPH Social and Behavioral Sciences program prepares students for international health work by providing a strong foundation in global health issues, cross-cultural competency and evidence-based interventions. Students gain valuable exposure to the unique health challenges faced by different populations worldwide, including infectious diseases, health disparities and access to healthcare.

The program emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and social determinants of health in diverse cultural contexts. Through internships, research projects, and partnerships with international organizations, students gain practical experience in applying public health strategies in various global settings. By integrating theoretical knowledge with real-world practice, the program ensures that graduates have the skills and perspectives needed to make a positive impact on global health outcomes.
 

Graduates apply research methods in innovative ways to tackle pressing public health issues. Through their fieldwork, they gain hands-on experience in addressing complex challenges, such as supporting elderly communities after Hurricane Sandy. By surveying affected residents, students were able to identify gaps in emergency response efforts, using their findings to inform future disaster preparedness strategies and improve community resilience.

Additionally, students engage in harm reduction advocacy, directly interviewing overdose survivors to better understand the barriers to treatment and recovery. This qualitative research shapes public health policies and intervention strategies, highlighting the master’s degree program's commitment to evidence-based behavioral change.

Graduates also contribute to public health advocacy, working with local organizations to address health disparities in Brooklyn. By participating in policymaking and engaging with community members, they apply research to drive meaningful change, preparing them to lead efforts that improve population health through research and community engagement.

Graduates address a range of challenges including:

• Climate Change and Environmental Health: They develop and implement interventions related to climate change, such as initiatives in flood-impacted areas of Brooklyn.
• Substance Use Disorders: Graduates work on prevention and intervention strategies for substance-related issues, integrating behavioral insights to design effective public health responses.
• Intervention Sciences and Community Health Education: Whether serving as research coordinators working directly with participants or as community health educators speaking at local centers, they bridge the gap between rigorous data analysis (often handled by epidemiologists) and real-world community engagement.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The interdisciplinary nature of the master’s program means that graduates might collaborate with psychologists, sociologists, and other specialists to address a broad spectrum of health issues, tailoring their approaches to the specific needs of the communities they serve.

Our social and behavioral science program differs from other concentrations by focusing specifically on the social and psychological factors that influence health behaviors and outcomes. By using theories from sociology, psychology, and behavioral science, students learn to design and implement interventions that address health issues at the individual, community and population levels. Instead of only focusing on biological or environmental factors,this specific program aims to understand how people's social contexts and behaviors impact their health and develop strategies to promote positive health changes.

Key differences include:

• Focus on behavior change: While other concentrations might focus more on disease prevention or policy analysis, an SBS concentration emphasizes understanding and modifying health behaviors through interventions based on social and behavioral theories.
• Interdisciplinary approach: This concentration draws from various disciplines like psychology, sociology, anthropology and community development to analyze complex social determinants of health.
• Qualitative research methods: Compared to other concentrations that might rely heavily on quantitative data, an SBS program often incorporates qualitative research methods like focus groups and interviews to gain deeper insights into people's perceptions and experiences.
• Application areas: Graduates with an SBS concentration might work in areas like health communication, community outreach, health education, behavioral health interventions, stigma reduction and policy advocacy related to social determinants of health.