Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences Academics

In an increasingly complicated world, solving complex public health problems requires collaborative leaders prepared to develop innovative strategies and solutions that engage communities and cross-sector partners.

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and experiences to prepare the next generation of public health leaders and chief health strategists to advance public health and health equity.

Located in downtown Atlanta, our program leverages relationships across local, state and federal public health agencies and organizations to support outstanding training opportunities. Our DrPH program is a generalist program grounded in the School of Public Health’s urban-global focus together with our overarching commitment to health equity, diversity and inclusion. Designed for professionals with a minimum of three years (five years preferred) of applied public health experience, the program allows students to complete their degree while maintaining full-time employment.

About the School of Public Health

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia State’s School of Public Health provides a practice-based education in a thriving global city, creating leaders who are prepared to advance health equity and address urgent challenges.

Public Health students engage in practicum opportunities throughout greater Atlanta’s vibrant public health community in places such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local government agencies and international non-governmental organizations.

Learn more about the School of Public Health

Georgia State University's Graduate Certificate in Global Health provides students with knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute effective solutions to global health issues both in their local communities and around the world. The teamwork and cross-cultural communication skills the program cultivates are in demand across a range of fields and industries.

Open to students of any major, the Graduate Certificate in Global Health can be completed as a standalone program or embedded into a Master of Public Health or other degree program at Georgia State University.

The program leverages the expertise of Georgia State’s faculty and its location in the heart of Atlanta to prepare students to make a difference in the lives of people around the world. Faculty in the School of Public Health have deep expertise in instruction, practice and research related to global health, with projects in more than 25 countries on six continents.

Atlanta is a global hub of public health expertise that is home to organizations that include the Task Force for Global Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Carter Center and CARE. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Global Health will be equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills to work effectively in organizations such as these and in a range of public health careers.

Use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.

Georgia State is dedicated to making our programs affordable and accessible to all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student’s future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

Georgia State's Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Health Management and Policy teaches the administration and management of public, nonprofit and community-based health care organizations. Students learn to formulate and implement health care policy, analyze the distribution of and access to health care services, finance health care services, and evaluate the quality and outcomes of health care services and programs.

The Health Management and Policy Concentration draws upon health administration, health policy, public administration, business, public health law, health ethics and economics.

Learn more about the cost of a master’s degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.

Georgia State is dedicated to making our programs affordable and accessible to all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

Georgia State University's Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences provides students with knowledge and skills that will enable them to design and evaluate public health programs and policies in a variety of settings, advocate for change through the promotion of best practices to improve health, assess health care delivery and management, and address health disparities and inequities. The concentration draws on a variety of disciplines, including psychology, economics and health sciences to prepare students for careers in local, state and federal agencies, health care organizations, and community and international non-profit organizations, as well as the private sector. The Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences concentration also provides a strong foundation for graduate education and an accelerated path to earning a Master of Public Health degree in just one additional year through the 4+1 BS/MPH program.

Students in the Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences concentration will learn the principles of health management, policy and administration as well as program evaluation, advocacy and effective health communication. The concentration prepares students for a range of entry-level careers in health communication, health promotion and health policy, as well as in social and community services.

About the School of Public Health

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia State’s School of Public Health provides a practice-based education in a thriving global city, creating leaders who are prepared to advance health equity and address urgent challenges.

Public Health students have opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences throughout greater Atlanta’s vibrant public health community in places such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local government agencies and international non-governmental organizations.

Learn more about the School of Public Health

Health promotion is a core function of public health, and it empowers individuals and communities to play a role in preventing disease. Georgia State's Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Health Promotion and Behavior focuses on theoretical and applied approaches that promote community health and disease prevention. Students will increase their knowledge and skills for planning, implementing and evaluating effective public health interventions.

The Health Promotion and Behavior Concentration focuses on behavioral, social and cultural factors that impact health-related behaviors and health disparities. It draws upon disciplines such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, communications, and ethics to plan, implement, and evaluate interventions that improve health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

Learn more about the cost of a master’s degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.

Georgia State is dedicated to making our programs affordable and accessible to all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

Located in the heart of Atlanta, a global hub of public health expertise, the Ph.D. program at Georgia State University educates the next generation of public health leaders capable of conducting independent research in academia, governmental public health, health care organizations, and the private sector.

The Health Promotion and Behavior concentration provides Ph.D. students with the skills, knowledge and experience to conduct rigorous research on health promotion and the behavioral aspects of public health.

The program teaches students to approach public health from a social-ecological perspective, allowing them to understand the significance of health disparities and to master the theories and methods behind the determination of public health.

Students may focus on the specific public health problems of their choice to complement academic and career goals.

Located in the heart of Atlanta, a global hub of public health expertise, the Ph.D. program at Georgia State University educates the next generation of public health leaders capable of conducting independent research in academia, governmental public health, health care organizations, and the private sector.

The Health Services and Policy Research Concentration prepares doctoral scholars to research public health and health care policy. Areas include the distribution of and access to health care services, the finance and reimbursement of health care services, and the quality and outcomes of health care services and programs. To prepare doctoral scholars for interdisciplinary research aimed at making broad impacts to public health, the health services and policy research concentration draws from disciplines beyond public health, including health administration, health policy, public administration, business, public health law, health ethics and economics.

Become an Emerging Leader and Advocate for Health Equity

Build upon your expertise and improve the health and well-being of women, families and children in Georgia, the United States and around the globe through the Maternal and Child Health Graduate Certificate Program.

With values rooted in social justice, health equity and life-course approaches, this program prepares emerging leaders to:

• advocate for justice in the community and in state and national policies
• support and evaluate culturally responsive, community-driven programs
• lead interdisciplinary research teams to increase understanding of evidence-based practices in improving maternal and child health

Apply MCH Certificate Toward a Future Graduate Program

Credits from your courses can be applied toward our MPH, Ph.D., DrPH or Graduate Certificate in Public Health program upon admission. You can dip your toe in now and dive in later, depending on your unique situation and goals.

Students in the MPH, Ph.D., DrPH, or Graduate Certificate in Public Health programs who want to build upon maternal and child health specific knowledge and skills can embed the Maternal and Child Health Graduate Certificate. Because many of the prerequisite and required MCHGC program courses overlap with the MPH program, you can earn both credentials at the same time.

The program is open to public health graduate students and practitioners and leaders from other allied public health professions. Enhance your previous education and career experience and prepare to advance in the public health industry or other allied public health fields.

Leaders from a variety of disciplinary areas like these are encouraged to apply:

The School of Public Health at Georgia State University offers the accelerated 4+1 Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health program to eligible undergraduate students. The program is rigorous, demanding and designed to provide high-achieving students the opportunity to earn up to 16 graduate credits while completing their Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree.

Learn more about the cost of a degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.

Georgia State is dedicated to making our programs affordable and accessible to all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.