Leadership & Innovation

Public health is a field of collaboration and teamwork. And yet, formal coursework in teamwork and leadership skills have not traditionally been a required part of public health education. The Columbia MPH views leadership skills as an essential competency, and the new curriculum incorporates a program in leadership and innovation that is unique among schools of public health.

The course aims to develop and improve MPH students’ abilities in three key areas: leading teams in a variety of settings, working effectively as a team member, and implementing fresh, innovative ideas within an organization or larger community.

Leadership & Innovation is taught in a experiential and participatory manner. Working in small teams, you will engage in role play, simulations, group work, and case analysis, sometimes using video and online tools. You will receive systematic feedback from faculty and fellow students, providing a 360 assessment, similar to such assessments in the workplace.

Integrated into the second semester, the curriculum covers such valuable topics as how to manage a team, negotiation, effective communications, and conflict resolution. The coursework, hands-on workshops, and lectures by invited public health leaders will foster your ability to collaborate with diverse professionals in a wide range of settings – hospitals, research centers, public health organizations, NGOs, or wherever your career leads you.