About the Program
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PhD in Environmental and Planetary Health Sciences
The PhD degree in Environmental and Planetary Health Sciences program applies an interdisciplinary approach to identification of the public health impacts of the local and global environment, human activities, the food environment and nutrition, along with the socio-political and economic factors that together determine the sustainability of life on our planet. Graduates will apply scientific methods to understand and address these global challenges, through a framework of environmental justice and sustainability stewardship. For more information on financial aid, scholarships, and tuition, please visit our Scholarships and Fellowships page.
Connect with our Admissions Team!
- Text: (646) 664-1366
- Phone: (646) 664-8355
- Email: admissions@sph.cuny.edu
- Chat with us 1-on-1: Book a meeting
- Upcoming admissions events: Join us!
Is this degree right for you?
The program is designed for students who are passionate about promoting public health equity through a framework of environmental justice and sustainability stewardship.
What will you learn?
This program applies an interdisciplinary approach to identification of the public health impacts of the local and global environment, human activities, the food environment and nutrition, along with the socio-political and economic factors that together determine the sustainability of life on our planet.
Where to after graduation?
Graduates work in a variety of organizations across public and nonprofit sectors in New York and beyond, including service, advocacy, and policy specialists.
Admissions Information
Admission Requirements
- Completed SOPHAS application
- GRE scores are required for applicants without a master’s degree (MPH or MS), and optional for applicants with a graduate degree from a U.S. accredited institution. We encourage applicants with low grades in quantitative/science/statistics undergraduate/graduate courses to include GREs to strengthen their application. We accept GRE scores from up to 7 years ago.
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA based on a four-point scale or above
- Completion of a master of science, master of public health, or other equivalent advanced degree is recommended
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two should be academic references)
- A resume/CV
- A personal statement (up to 1000 words)
- TOEFL scores, if language of instruction for prior degrees was not English
- Transcript evaluation from World Education Services for all applicants with international transcripts
Deadline to Apply
Fall 2025: December 15, 2024
Curriculum
| Foundational Knowledge (0 credits) | PUBH 601 Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* |
| Core Courses (12 credits) | PUBH 801 (formerly EPID 820) Epidemiological Methods I |
| PUBH 802 (formerly BIOS 820) Applied Biostatistics I | |
| PUBH 803 Public Health Perspectives on Science | |
| PUBH 804 (formerly PUBH 813) Qualitative Research Methods with Applications to Urban Health | |
| Concentration Courses (30 credits) | EOHS 822 Biology and Pathophysiological Applications in Public Health |
| EOHS 823 Systems Science in Planetary Health | |
| EPID 821 Epidemiological Methods II | |
| Two selectives chosen from EOHS 824 Advanced Exposure Assessment and Policy Applications, EOHS 821 Environmental and Occupational Health Risk and Hazard Assessment, FNPH 821 Nutrient Metabolism and Applications in Public Health, FNPH 820 Food Policy.
Five electives, chosen in consultation with advisor |
|
| Teaching Experience (0 credits) | Teaching experience to be determined in consultation with advisor |
| Examinations | Qualifying Exam |
| Culminating Seminar and Experience (0 credits) | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision |
| Total Required Credits | 42 |
*Students who have a CEPH-accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in public health can be waived from PUBH 601 by submitting a Course Waiver Request.
Recommended Course Sequence
For full-time students
| Semester | Course | Credits |
| Year 1 Fall | PUBH 601: Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* | 0 |
| PUBH 803 Public Health Perspectives on Science | 3 | |
| PUBH 801 Epidemiological Methods I | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 1 Spring | PUBH 804 Qualitative Research Methods with Application to Urban Health | 3 |
| PUBH 802 Applied Biostatistics I | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 1 Summer | Qualifying Exam | – |
| Year 2 Fall | EPID 821 Epidemiological Methods II | 3 |
| EOHS 822 Biology and Pathophysiological Applications in Public Health | 3 | |
| Selective | 3 | |
| Year 2 Spring | Selective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 3 Fall | Teaching Experience | – |
| EOHS 823 Systems Science in Planetary Health | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 3 Spring | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Year 4 Fall | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Year 4 Spring | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Year 5 Fall | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
For part-time students
| Semester | Course | Credits |
| Year 1 Fall | PUBH 601: Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* | 0 |
| PUBH 803 Public Health Perspectives on Science | 3 | |
| PUBH 801 Epidemiological Methods I | 3 | |
| Year 1 Spring | PUBH 802 Applied Biostatistics I | 3 |
| PUBH 804 Qualitative Research Methods with Application to Urban Health | 3 | |
| Year 1 Summer | Qualifying Exam | – |
| Year 2 Fall | EPID 821 Epidemiological Methods II | 3 |
| EOHS 822 Biology and Pathophysiological Applications in Public Health | 3 | |
| Year 2 Spring | Selective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 3 Fall | EOHS 823 Systems Science in Planetary Health | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 3 Spring | Selective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 4 Fall | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year 4 Spring | Teaching Experience | – |
| PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 | |
| Year 5 Fall | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Year 5 Spring | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Year 6 Fall | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Year 6 Spring | PUBH 900 Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
*PUBH 601 should be completed during a student’s first semester. Students who have a CEPH-accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in public health can be waived from this requirement by submitting a Course Waiver Request.
Competencies
Core Competencies
- Critically analyze research for appropriateness of study design, sample, measures, data analysis, results, interpretation and dissemination.
- Design a feasible study and apply appropriate research methods to answer public health research questions.
- Develop professional skills in scientific writing, oral communication, and teaching.
- Uphold the highest ethical standards in planning, conducting, and analyzing research, including the involvement of human subjects.
- Apply historical and emerging scientific theories and paradigms to develop research aims and methods.
Concentration Competencies
- Quantify the influence of infrastructure, global, macro-social trends, or regulations on planetary health hazards.
- Critically analyze planetary health risks within the current scientific, political, economic, social, cultural, or regulatory contexts.
- Develop strategies to address planetary health risks using systems science.
- Integrate concepts from scientific disciplines, such as toxicology, and physiology to generate or test models that predict the effects of planetary health.
- Demonstrate mastery in the conduct of study, interpretation, and use of data from public health surveillance systems to monitor population health, predict risk, and/or identify targets of intervention.
Alumni Outcomes
Alumni outcomes data was collected via surveys of CUNY SPH alumni one year after graduation from 2016 to 2022. See more program outcomes here.