Skip to content

Heilbrunn Department of
Population and Family Health

For five decades, we have developed pioneering, evidence-based public health programs to serve global communities facing multiple inequities. Our faculty and students work in New York City neighborhoods and in a wide range of countries examining the legal, policy, and human rights dimensions of health.

Degrees offered:
• MPH (two year, accelerated, dual, 4+1 programs)
• MS

29436405942_6c1f3768a4_k-1

The Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health (PopFam) prepares future public health leaders to tackle today’s most urgent global health challenges. Through rigorous academics, hands-on training, and a commitment to social justice, our students gain the expertise to drive policy, research, and advocacy, further improving health outcomes for communities. 

The PopFam Difference

  • Our robust academic program combines theoretical understanding of the complex factors that affect local and global health with skills-based training that prepares students for roles as researchers, practitioners, policy advocates, evaluators, and leaders in their field.
  • Students work closely with our interdisciplinary faculty and gain mentorship through teaching assistant roles, research projects, and programming. Faculty, in turn, look to students for research, advocacy, and program support.
  • Join a extensive professional network of peers and alumni who are improving health and wellbeing for communities around the world.
30729746148_0a1c66984b_k

Hands-On Experience

Practicum (APEx) opportunities for PopFam students include:

  • Foodborne Disease Intern for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • Racial Equity and Social Determinants of Health Researcher for the New York City Pandemic Response Institute
  • Graduate Research Intern at Rakai Health Science Center, Uganda
  • Community Engagement Intern at The Door in New York City
  • Fellow with Fundacion Plenitud in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Public Health Emergency Management Intern with the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network in Amman, Jordan
  • Gender Equality Fellow at Save the Children

Leaders in the Field

PopFam graduates are consistently employed by nonprofits and non-governmental organizations, at universities and research institutions, in many levels of government, and at hospitals and healthcare centers.

52974387521_970ef9c3c4_b
Screenshot 2025-01-30 at 3.15.57 PM

Download the PDF

If you want to hang on to the PDF version of this page to go back to later, you can do that here. 

The PopFam Student

Our students are committed to social justice and improving the health and rights of underserved populations through health-related education, advocacy, program development and implementation, and research. Our students have demonstrated their commitment to action through professional work experience, internships, part-time research positions, community service, and leadership roles.

48630977782_17d8c8fa0f_c

Choosing Mailman and PopFam was the best decision I’ve made for my career in sexual and reproductive health. I got to learn from and with so many talented, passionate individuals, and the network I built continues to be essential to my development as a leader and in my consulting practice."

Nicole, MPH '11

Take the Next Step

Ready to advance the health and well-being of communities?

Request More Information

Fill out the form to receive more information and resources about our Population and Family Health programs.