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Why Harvard Chan?

We’re working toward a world where everyone can thrive. If you share that goal, there’s no better place to prepare than the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

New Student at Orientation 2023. — New Student Orientation 2023. Photographed August 2023, by Kent Dayton

Our roots stretch back more than 110 years; we grew out of America’s first graduate training program in public health. Today, we deliver unmatched breadth and depth in research, education, and practice.

At Harvard Chan School, you’ll learn from world-leading faculty — and from an incredibly diverse student body. And you’ll join a powerful global network of more than 15,000 alumni leading innovative work in public health across every field and sector.

By the numbers

1,361

students

39%

international students

497

faculty

degrees offered

interdisciplinary concentrations

25+

research centers

40+

student clubs

16,000+

incredible alumni

One of the reasons I was drawn to Harvard Chan School was the opportunity to join an amazing network…for every field of public health you’re interested in, there’s either a world leader here or someone who knows a world leader.
Jeremy Cygler, MPH ’24

A supportive community

Our shared sense of purpose makes the Harvard Chan community truly special. Here, you’ll find people who will teach you and learn from you, support you and challenge you, collaborate with you and open doors for you. Our goal: A true culture of belonging.

No ‘typical’ student

There’s no “typical” student at Harvard Chan School. Our students come from all over the world. They bring a wide range of experiences in health care, government, business, advocacy, military service, community service, humanitarian response, and more.

Their career goals are just as diverse. Some plan to continue clinical care as physicians, nurses, and dentists, or to move into leadership roles in their health care organizations. Others will pursue paths as policymakers, entrepreneurs, consultants, researchers, community activists, CEOs, government leaders, or educators.

No matter what goals you’ve set, you can build the foundation for a successful career in public health leadership at Harvard Chan School.

In my network biology lab, I am surrounded by mentors as eager to listen to my ideas as they are to provide their own whenever I am stuck.
Intekhab Hossain, PhD ’24

Education with impact

In addition to our world-class faculty labs, Harvard Chan School has more than two dozen research centers pursuing pioneering science on topics ranging from mindfulness to the microbiome, from gun violence to risk analysis to communicable disease dynamics. These centers routinely produce discoveries that drive significant changes in policies and practice to promote health and advance equity.

There is no shortage of people that are willing just take time out of their day, no matter what they’re doing, to put down their work to help you in any aspect of your life.
Peyton Riley Smith, SM’25

As a student, you’ll have opportunities to work with the faculty leading this high-impact research. In many of our degree programs, you’ll also conduct field work, collaborating closely with organizations, communities, and scientists around the globe.

You can also cross-register for classes at other Harvard schools, MIT, and Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy or Friedman School of Nutrition.

Whatever your path, you’ll take on projects that truly make a difference.

On one hand, I’m an epidemiologist who does statistics and who codes. But I also love deep listening and narratives. That’s ultimately why I chose this program: It allows me to be quantitative and qualitative and to work with scientists and researchers who are actually implementing solutions.
Jen Cruz, PhD ’25