Health and the Public Interest

Master of Science in Health & the Public Interest

Training effective advocates for public health
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An Interdisciplinary Approach to Public Health and Policy

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on public health? Do you aspire to shape policies and programs that improve the well-being of individuals and communities?

The Master of Science in Health and the Public Interest is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to address society’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Rooted in evidence-based practices and driven by a commitment to social justice, our program empowers future leaders to create meaningful change and build a healthier, more equitable world.

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Full- and Part-Time Attendance Options
No GRE required
Merit Scholarships Available

Application Deadline

January 15, 2024

Priority Application Deadline

Priority Consideration for Merit-based Scholarships

Application Fee Waived!

April 1, 2024

Regular Application Deadline

Application Fee $90

Classes begin July 31, 2024

An Interdisciplinary Curriculum That Integrates Theory, Science and Advocacy

We examine health policy through a lens that considers societal, psychological and cultural factors and how they intersect with corporate and institutional influences through our curriculum which emphasizes critical thinking, analytical and research skills. The challenges we face today require creative solutions; therefore, our program embraces an interdisciplinary approach.

Health and the Public Interest students have access to electives across many programs and schools at Georgetown that enable them to tailor the program to their specific interests.

The curriculum includes core courses on: 

  • Health, Disease, and Society 
  • Health Advocacy
  • Biology of Health and Disease
  • Health Economics
  • Theory & Methods of Inquiry 
  • Health Communication 

Learn From Leaders in Public Health

The Health and the Public Interest Seminar Series is a forum in which Georgetown students, faculty, and the general public engage with key leaders in healthcare research, policy, and advocacy. Seminar topics may include topics such as cross-cultural views of disease, cultural change and health, the medicalization of normal life, corporate shaping of discourse about illness, the regulation of medical products, placebo effects, symptom formation and healing, the high costs of drugs, creating new diseases, and the opioid epidemic. 

Coming up in Spring 2024 we will be featuring seminars from speakers such as Anand Parekh, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for the Bipartisan Policy Center; Anthony Fauci, MD, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases; and Arlando “Tray” Jones III, Program Associate at the Georgetown Prison and Justice Initiative. See the full Spring 2024 schedule and join our seminar series mailing list for weekly virtual seminar invitations.

Judy Waxman, JD

Oral Historian and Former Vice President of Health and Reproductive Rights at the National Women’s Law Center

Watch on Youtube: Will Women Ever Have Control Over Their Own Bodies?

Lucile Adams-Campbell, PhD

Cancer epidemiologist and Distinguished University Professor

Watch on Youtube: Intersectionality of Cancer, Aging, and Disparities: A Biological Basis

Matthew Biel, MD

Marriott Chair in Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health, Georgetown University Medical Center

Watch on Youtube: Trauma, Adversity, and Social Determinants of Mental Health
Watch Seminar Recordings

Advancing Your Career in Public Health

The Master of Science in Health and the Public Interest trains students to work in a variety of fields an d graduates are highly competitive for health policy or research jobs in government, advocacy, or nonprofit sectors. A defining feature of the master’s program in Health and the Public Interest is the small cohort size. This allows for an engaging and interactive academic experience as well as tailored career service advising – we are here to help you find jobs, internships, and projects that are right for you.

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers in the non-profit, private sector, and government. Here are some employers of our recent grads: 

  • Health Resources and Services Administration
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 
  • Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • National Cancer Institute
  • National Center for Health Research
  • PharmedOut
  • Medicare Rights Center
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