Joint Degree Program
Nursing and Public Health (MS/MPH)

The objective of this joint-degree program, which offers a Master of Science in nursing from the School of Nursing and Master of Public Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, is to prepare nurses to be both advanced clinical practitioners and public health practitioners or administrators in a variety of community settings, including hospitals. The program is particularly valuable to nurses whose career goals are focused on the field of nursing but who also desire a broader interdisciplinary outlook.

Joint application is simplified. Certain documents, such as transcripts, GRE scores, and references, may be shared, so duplication may not be necessary. However, students must complete application forms for both schools. The School of Nursing and the School of Public Health both require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Students may apply and be accepted into both programs at the same time but start in either school, with an advisor in each school assigned immediately to coordinate the student’s program and to approve each term’s class choices. Total credit requirements are a minimum of 75 credits (depending on the nursing and public health specializations) plus the School of Public Health’s one-term practicum. At least 30 credits must be earned in residence in each school in order for a degree to be granted. Each student’s curriculum is planned individually to meet his or her goals, but the basic requirements for admission and graduation for each school must be met. In the School of Nursing, the minimum number of required credits for core and major (or track) courses ranges from approximately 30 to 52 credits, depending on the clinical track selected. The completion of the master’s degree in nursing allows students to register with New York State as nurse practitioners. In the School of Public Health, the minimum is approximately 30 to 45 credits, depending on the concentration. In both schools, students must also be accepted in a specific track/division. Financial aid is available in both schools for eligible students. Students may not, however, receive financial aid from both schools during the same academic year.

Students in the School of Public Health must complete the core courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, sociomedical sciences, environmental health sciences, and health policy and management. Joint-degree students may combine most Public Health majors with any School of Nursing clinical specialty. Please contact the School of Public Health to learn about those exceptions.