Overview
In order to change human health on a large scale, you must first understand how biological and cultural factors combine to shape an individual's health.
Through our Public Health program and the resources available to you from the other health-based programs at ACPHS, you are assured of having access to the classes, experiences, and mentors you need to become - as we like to say - scientifically grounded and socially engaged. This degree also serves as an ideal stepping stone for attending medical school or becoming a Physician's Assistant (PA).
Immersing yourself in such a focused environment will help make sure you have what it takes to make the world a healthier place - one individual and one community at a time.
Through our Public Health program and the resources available to you from the other health-based programs at ACPHS, you are assured of having access to the classes, experiences, and mentors you need to become - as we like to say - scientifically grounded and socially engaged. This degree also serves as an ideal stepping stone for attending medical school or becoming a Physician's Assistant (PA).
Immersing yourself in such a focused environment will help make sure you have what it takes to make the world a healthier place - one individual and one community at a time.
Life After ACPHS
Many of our first-year students don't have a clear idea of what they want to do after graduation. And that's perfectly fine. As they learn more about the field of Public Health and the range of opportunities available to them, they begin to zero in on what interests them.
One of the strengths of the program is that it prepares you equally well for whatever you decide to do - whether that's continue your education or begin work right away. That's proven by the range of places our students have gone following graduation.
Some of our recent graduates are employed in places that include the NYS Department of Health, NYS Senate, Albany Medical Center, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and KPMG. Others are continuing their education at Albany Medical College (Physician Assistant Studies), Rutgers University (M.S. in Public Health), University at Albany (M.S. in Health Communication), Albany Memorial Hospital (Nursing), and Clarkson University (MBA).
Click the below link to find a more extensive list of where our graduates can be found.
One of the strengths of the program is that it prepares you equally well for whatever you decide to do - whether that's continue your education or begin work right away. That's proven by the range of places our students have gone following graduation.
Some of our recent graduates are employed in places that include the NYS Department of Health, NYS Senate, Albany Medical Center, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and KPMG. Others are continuing their education at Albany Medical College (Physician Assistant Studies), Rutgers University (M.S. in Public Health), University at Albany (M.S. in Health Communication), Albany Memorial Hospital (Nursing), and Clarkson University (MBA).
Click the below link to find a more extensive list of where our graduates can be found.
Coursework
Our Public Health faculty have taken great care to build a curriculum flexible enough to accommodate students seeking to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation as well as those looking to continue their education.
The Public Health program is built upon a series of foundational courses in Humanities, Communication, Social Science, Basic Science, and Quantitative Reasoning, along with 42 credits of core Public Health coursework and 15 credits of electives. All students must also select from one of two tracks: Community Health or Health Analytics.
Regardless of which track you choose, you will be required to complete a capstone project in your final year (typically an internship, community education initiative, or research project) where you will focus on an aspect of public health that aligns with your career interests.
The Public Health program is built upon a series of foundational courses in Humanities, Communication, Social Science, Basic Science, and Quantitative Reasoning, along with 42 credits of core Public Health coursework and 15 credits of electives. All students must also select from one of two tracks: Community Health or Health Analytics.
Regardless of which track you choose, you will be required to complete a capstone project in your final year (typically an internship, community education initiative, or research project) where you will focus on an aspect of public health that aligns with your career interests.
Research
Research does not always take place in a lab with goggles and a white coat.
In the Public Health program, our research may require skills ranging from interpersonal communication (conducting one-on-one interviews or leading small focus groups) to the analysis of large data sets. Of course, if you are interested in more traditional laboratory research, there are a wide range of faculty at the College who can help you get started. It's just another benefit of being at a school where all the degree programs are related to health care.
Students work closely with faculty across all areas of the research process including data analysis, presentation, and publication. Below is a selection of student research projects:
- Social Support during Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients: Does It Matter?
- The Role of Visual and Interpersonal Communication in Health Promotion Event Planning
- Independent Living Preventing Secondary Conditions in those with a Disability
- An Exploratory Study: The Impact of Premature Births on Families
- Issues for Nepali and Burmese Refugees Trying to Access U.S. Health Care
In the Public Health program, our research may require skills ranging from interpersonal communication (conducting one-on-one interviews or leading small focus groups) to the analysis of large data sets. Of course, if you are interested in more traditional laboratory research, there are a wide range of faculty at the College who can help you get started. It's just another benefit of being at a school where all the degree programs are related to health care.
Students work closely with faculty across all areas of the research process including data analysis, presentation, and publication. Below is a selection of student research projects:
- Social Support during Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients: Does It Matter?
- The Role of Visual and Interpersonal Communication in Health Promotion Event Planning
- Independent Living Preventing Secondary Conditions in those with a Disability
- An Exploratory Study: The Impact of Premature Births on Families
- Issues for Nepali and Burmese Refugees Trying to Access U.S. Health Care
Internships, Volunteering, and Study Abroad
The Public Health program faculty, along with the Office of Career Services, will work with you to find internships or volunteering opportunities that help further your education outside the classroom. Some of our recent graduates have interned or volunteered at places in the region (see list below) while others have traveled to countries such as Belize and the Dominican Republic. What will you do? That's up to you.
ACPHS students have interned or volunteered at places that include:
- American Cancer Society
- Capital City Rescue Mission Medical Clinic
- Columbia County Department of Health
- Independent Living Center of Hudson Valley
- New York State Public Health Association
- Ronald McDonald House
- Whitney Young Health Center
ACPHS students have interned or volunteered at places that include:
- American Cancer Society
- Capital City Rescue Mission Medical Clinic
- Columbia County Department of Health
- Independent Living Center of Hudson Valley
- New York State Public Health Association
- Ronald McDonald House
- Whitney Young Health Center
Discovery Spotlight
“Attending ACPHS has been the highlight of my life and it probably will be for a very long time.”
Lindsey Wallace '14 ACPHS-AMC PA Program
Read MoreDid You Know?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of health educators and community health workers will grow 13% from 2014 to 2024.
Contact the Program Director
Wendy Parker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
518-694-7361
wendy.parker@acphs.edu
Associate Professor
518-694-7361
wendy.parker@acphs.edu
Contact the Admissions Office
106 New Scotland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
518-694-7221
admissions@acphs.edu
Albany, NY 12208
518-694-7221
admissions@acphs.edu