CUNY offers a diverse range of campuses aimed to accommodate unique academic interests. The university has continuously tailored programs to meet the needs of students ever since its founding in the late 19th century. One of the newer additions to the system is the CUNY School of Public Health (CUNY SPH), focused on research and public health studies.
Although an independent campus was established in 2007, the history of CUNY SPH commences in 1972, where the public health programs at Hunter College, Lehman College, and Brooklyn College were accredited and soon combined. In an effort to consolidate separate public health programs, then-Chancellor of CUNY Matthew Goldstein announced the decision to establish a dedicated school focusing on public health studies and research.
Guided by the mission of promoting health equity, CUNY SPH offers a wide range of academic programs to meet the diverse needs of students. With an overall requirement of a 3.0 GPA, the school currently offers 3 PhD programs, 5 Master of Public Health (MPH) programs, 3 Master of Science (MS) programs, and 2 certificate programs. The CUNY SPH is New York City’s only public school of public health with a stated “vision of promoting health and social justice in NYC and across the globe through innovation and leadership.”
Why the CUNY School of Public Health – “The 4+1 Program”
The CUNY SPH provides flexible and affordable educational pathways designed to take into account financial barriers and busy lives. According to recent statistics, with a total student enrolment of approximately 1000, 62% of the students are employed full-time while 98% of the graduates are continuing their education or working in fields of their interest (“The Numbers”). The balance between education and work is often achieved through online options, which allow students to pursue their academic goals virtually while accounting for other responsibilities.
One of the opportunities the institution has to offer includes the accelerated options, commonly known as the 4+1 Program, which allows CUNY undergraduate students to complete up to 18 credits of CUNY SPH courses, allowing for the completion of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in only 5 years (“4+1 Programs – CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy”). T he program is open to students of all majors, highlighting the school’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning.
In an interview with Professor Brian Pavilonis, a long-time faculty member and one of the representatives of the program, he emphasized the importance of academic diversity in the field of public health:
“At our school, every major and program is open to everyone — anyone can find a home at the CUNY School of Public Health.
Whether you’re an English major or a chemistry major, there’s a place for you. Sure, some programs may require a stronger background in math and science, but public health is incredibly holistic. It’s not just about numbers and lab work; we need community organizers, policy analysts, and strong writers. The ability to communicate is a huge part of public health. That’s one of the key distinctions of our school — we welcome everyone because public health isn’t just one thing; it’s a collaboration of many different skills. So, if you’re interested in making a difference in public health, you can absolutely find your place here — and of course, a home within CUNY.”
Another major benefit to the “4+1 Program” includes the reduced cost of education. Students are able to pay the lower undergraduate tuition cost for graduate-level courses while accumulating credits that apply to both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Most importantly, this allows students to try something new at almost no risk. As expressed by Professor Pavilonis, “I also like to frame this as a trial opportunity for students. If you’re curious about public health or wondering what graduate-level courses are like, this is your chance to explore. Maybe after taking a few classes, you’ll realize it’s not the right fit — and that’s okay.
“I’d love for everyone to pursue it, of course, but the beauty of this program is that there’s no risk. If it turns out not to be for you, those courses still count toward your undergraduate degree. So, either way, it’s a valuable experience.”
Research Opportunities
The CUNY School of Public Health offers numerous research opportunities CUNY SPH\ Centers and Institutes conduct research and engage in service throughout New York City and around the world, with health equity being one of the central tenets of the overall mission of the institution.
The Harlem Health Initiative (HHI), one of the most recent projects, strives to improve the overall well-being of the Harlem population through community-based qualitative and quantitative research. Other major ongoing research project include the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub, an effort aimed at advocating for reproductive justice and body autonomy. CUNY SPH has led major initiatives that affect broader groups of people, such as the Global Health Justice Initiative. The research focuses on migrant groups throughout the United States, mirroring community disparities across vulnerable populations in the world.
Participation in research for all CUNY SPH students is optional.in research provides students with hands-on experience in addressing real-world public health challenges. Students interested in a research project should reach out to the respective Principal Investigator (PI) for more information.
In an interview, Dr. Michele Kiely, the former Associate Dean of Research in the CUNY SPH, explained the process of researching in more depth:
“At the student level, the process usually starts with finding a faculty member whose research interests align with your own and then working alongside them on their research project.“
Typically, faculty members are the principal investigators, meaning they decide the direction of the research. However, sometimes staff members at the school propose to be principal investigators, even if they aren’t faculty. There’s a formal process for that, and I’m the one who decides whether they can take on that role. They need to provide details about their background, the research they want to pursue, and what will happen if they leave the school. This process is important because it involves committing time and resources from my department, including submitting grant proposals on their behalf.” Moreover, students can also propose a research project of their own, allowing them to explore topics they are passionate about while maintaining relevance to the overall mission of the CUNY School of Public Health.
The field of public health is often overlooked. According to Dr. Michele Kiely, “Public health offers incredible opportunities to make a real difference. Often in my journey, I was in the right place, at the right time, working with the right people. That’s the power of public health — it allows you to be part of something bigger, addressing real challenges and making a lasting impact.”
Whether through research, policy work, or community engagement, CUNY SPH offers the resources and support to help you make a notable impact on the world. If you’re passionate about improving the health and well-being of others, whether locally or globally, CUNY SPH is where you can turn your passion into a life-long mission.
About the Author:
Rajan Kukaleshi attends CUNY City College of New York and is a medical student at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. He is interested in combining research and medicine to improve equity and accessibility of the healthcare system.
