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Environmental Health Sciences (EHS)

Through rigorous academics, hands-on research, and partnerships with impacted communities, our students gain the expertise to influence policy, conduct groundbreaking studies, and advocate for environmental justice.

Degrees offered:

  • MPH (4+1)
  • MS
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The mission of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences is to understand, prevent, and mitigate the impacts of environmental exposures and climate change on human health by leading cutting-edge research, training the next generation of public health professionals, and partnering with impacted communities.

The EHS difference

  • The Department of Environmental Health Sciences offers a nurturing learning environment, where small class sizes foster individualized instruction and rigorous courses lead to hands-on research.
  • Our expert faculty conduct a wide range of collaborative research projects ranging from cellular and molecular mechanisms to population public health and policy on the local, regional, and global levels.
  • Our New York City location offers students unparalleled opportunities to get involved with impactful research and public health practice through our partnerships with community organizations and city government.
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Hands-On Experience

Practicum (APEx) opportunities for EHS students have included:

  • Catalent Pharma Solutions
  • Civilience
  • The Collaborative for Women’s Environmental Health at Columbia University
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • The Farmworker Association of Florida
  • WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Leaders in the Field

Our graduates hold positions in public health around the world:

  • Program Director at the Denver Health and Hospital Authority
  • Program Analyst at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau at the Los Angeles County Dept of Public Health
  • Program Officer for Thematic Advocacy at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
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The EHS student

Our students are interested in laboratory science, field research, and community-based efforts to understand the impact of the environment on human health. Their work extends to local, regional, and global communities as we strive to develop safeguards, fight for environmental justice, identify ways to protect vulnerable populations, and create a healthy environment for all.

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Public health is a way to put science into actionable change, and what better place to do that than New York City? Since graduating, I have traversed New York’s water and sewer tunnels and taught a graduate-level course. Now I manage environmental health at three major hospitals, while also pursuing my doctorate part-time at the Columbia Mailman School. My educational experiences have taught me to bring critical thought and expertise into the world outside of academia."

MPH alum and current DrPH student

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