Dual MPH/Environment Program

Program Highlights

This is a joint degree program offered by Yale University, combining studies at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) and the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH). Students earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) from YSPH along with one of four environmental degrees from YSE: Master of Environmental Management (MEM), Master of Environmental Science (MESc), Master of Forestry (MF), or Master of Forest Science (MFS).

The program focuses on the critical intersection of environmental quality and human health, addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change, air and water quality degradation, and biodiversity loss. It aims to provide students with the necessary framework to understand these complex issues and to take on leadership roles at community, national, and international levels. The joint program structure reduces the total time of study by one year compared to pursuing the degrees sequentially.

Delivery Modes

The program is delivered on-campus, with students dividing their studies between the Yale School of the Environment and the Yale School of Public Health. It is designed for full-time study over three years. Students can choose a pathway that begins their studies at either YSE or YSPH, typically alternating semesters and summer internships between the two schools.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum integrates coursework from both YSE and YSPH. Students pursuing the MEM degree at YSE, for example, complete 36 credits, a summer internship, and a thesis or capstone project. All joint-degree students must attend two weeks of technical skills training modules (MODs) at YSE before starting their studies, covering practical skills like plant identification, ecosystems management, land measurement, and urban ecosystem analysis.

At YSPH, students complete 15 course units, which include a core curriculum, departmental requirements, and electives. Within the MPH component, students choose one of seven divisions for specialization:

• Biostatistics

• Chronic Disease Epidemiology

• Environmental Health Sciences

• Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases

• Health Care Management

• Health Policy and Administration

• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students must submit separate applications to both the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) and the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) during a single admissions cycle. Each school admits students individually based on its own criteria. For detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures, consult the respective admissions offices:

• YSE Masters Admissions

• YSPH Admissions

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates are prepared to address complex environmental health challenges and assume leadership roles in community, national, and international settings. Practical experience is integral to the program, featuring summer internships (YSE Internship/Research or YSPH Internship, depending on the pathway). Additionally, all joint-degree students participate in two weeks of hands-on technical skills training (MODs) at YSE, covering skills like plant identification, ecosystem management, and land measurement.