Public health programs focus primarily on prevention and health promotion (rather than treatment), and on whole populations (rather than individuals). Public health is an essential component of the US health system. Its infrastructure and prevention-based programs, together with clinical health systems, work to improve population health and reduce health care costs among populations. The undergraduate program in public health at York College is focused on the science of protecting and improving the health and well-being of communities.

Reflecting the interdisciplinary approach of the CUNY School of Public Health, students in the major will take courses originating from the various public health core disciplines, including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, and health management and policy. The community health concentration emphasizes specific training in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of community-based, -focused and -driven public health programs and policies. Aligned with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation criteria, the major curriculum is multidisciplinary while being rooted in the social and behavioral determinants of health. As students progress through the program, they will gain more breadth and depth in public health practice through field experiences as well as a capstone course in their final year.