Population & Family Health

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1. What counts toward the two-year work experience requirement for admission?

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   Students coming into the Department generally have at least two full-time years of public health experience working within a health-related position or organization. Cumulative summer employment or undergraduate work experiences generally will not be considered to be “full-time” work experience.

   See a sampling of positions held by Mailman School successful applicants.

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2. What types of jobs do graduates of the Population and Family Health Department typically get?

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   Because the Department places particular emphasis on the balance between practice and research, graduates are well-prepared to assume a variety of positions, including direct service, research, monitoring and evaluation, policy and advocacy, and other positions in both the private and public sectors.

   Find examples of positions obtained by recent graduates.

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3. What is the practicum?

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   The practicum project is a 140-hour field placement, chosen by the student. Practica projects allow students to gain and strengthen skills in their specific areas of interest.

   Access additional information on the practicum.

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4. What is the capstone?

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   The capstone is the culminating piece of academic writing the student will submit prior to graduation, and may be in the style of a manuscript, proposal narrative, or rigorous reflection on the practicum experience.

   Find more information on the capstone.

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5. I was interested in applying to one of the Department's tracks - are they no longer offered?

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   Beginning in Fall 2012, the School will be moving to a new Certificate/Interdisciplinary Track program which offers more than 20 programs for students in the 2-year Columbia MPH program. These certificates provide a secondary area of expertise on top of the departmental focus. Some of the offerings such as Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance; Child, Youth, and Family Health; and Sexuality, Sexual, and Reproductive Health reflect similar themes to the department's previous tracks. Note that some certificates/interdisciplinary tracks have their own admissions criteria. Please visit the Prospective Student site for more information.

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6. I have been admitted, and I am very interested in student employment. What should I do?

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   In HDPFH, most students work part-time. About 8-10 students receive Graduate Research Assistantships each year. The Academic Program Coordinator circulates notices of GRAships as they become available, so that all students can apply. Still, most of these go to second-year students. GRAships entail 20 hours/week of work, a stipend, and a small amount of tuition remuneration. (The applications of first-year students are automatically reviewed for possible placement as GRAs, however, very few receive these offers prior to matriculation.)

   Another 10-15 students work alongside faculty instructors. These are all second-year students who performed exceptionally well in the instructors’ courses during the prior year. Typically, the instructor will reach out to these students directly.

   A third set of students engage in research projects with faculty. Students are matched with these positions in two main ways:

   1. The Academic Program Coordinator maintains a file of resumes of students seeking work. When a faculty member receives a grant, s/he may peruse the file and select students to interview; and
   2. A faculty member circulates a notice of an open position, and students apply.

   Students also use the resources at Career Services and Jobs at Columbia.

   Finally, and most commonly, the Academic Program Coordinator circulates job notices from a variety of employers that actively seek our students. In August, first-year students are added to this distribution list.

   Often, in the first Fall term, students choose not to work, especially if they have been away from an academic environment for some time. The majority of students who actively seek employment find suitable positions in the Department, the University, or Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in their second term.

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