
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The New York Times called Georgia State “an innovative engine of social mobility”
Find out why.
Get to Know Us
With every breakthrough we make, every spike we see in enrollment and every stride we hit in graduating more students in less time, we surpass our own standards. Still, our values and commitments never change: You come first.
deans’
900+
73%
88
SINCE 2006
1,355
SINCE 2006
About the School
Whether in the classroom or in the community, through research or through our programs and centers, the School of Public Health provides a broad, practical understanding of complex health issues ranging from violence, tobacco use and obesity to environmental threats and HIV/AIDS. Our faculty conduct innovative research and test community-based interventions, while remaining committed to teaching and mentoring students. Our doctorate, master’s and certificate programs in public health place special emphasis on urban health issues, chronic disease and elimination of disparities in health and treatment.
We instill in our students the value of using their knowledge and discovery to create positive change in the world. When you donate to the School of Public Health, your dollars not only fund lab and classroom instruction, they support community service and outreach programs that make an immediate, tangible difference for underserved populations in Atlanta and around the region.
The Dean's Letter
In the U.S. and globally, seven out of every 10 deaths can be attributed to chronic diseases, also referred to as non-communicable diseases. We see our students, faculty and graduates playing a major role in developing solutions for urban populations in Atlanta and around the world.
We see the School of Public Health becoming a leader in the research and delivery of large-scale programs that will address chronic disease, urban health disparities and other pressing public health problems.
We are in a unique position to focus on the public health challenges of cities and to grow our global reach. Though we are a young program, we have more than 1,300 alumni, most of them working in metro Atlanta. And we are a top destination for Fulbright Scholars. More than 85 international health professionals have trained at the school through the prestigious Fulbright program and are now working to improve health in their home countries.
Diversity in our student body and faculty is also a strength. In coming years we will grow enrollment, continue to recruit internationally recognized faculty and expand our reach in the world of public health. We strive to be the program of choice for students and researchers who want to join us in finding hands-on solutions based on rigorous scientific study.
Rodney Lyn is the dean of the School of Public Health and Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences. His research is focused on childhood obesity prevention, school and community health, and the reduction of health disparities. He has a special interest in identifying effective policy and system approaches to increasing physical activity and healthy eating in children and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on these topics. He has led or contributed to funded grants totaling over $13M from federal and state agencies, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations.
Funding Priorities
Generous support from donors and community leaders will help the School of Public Health address the following funding priorities.
Annual Fund
Provides a stable foundation to address all the needs necessary to create a successful future for the School of Public Health.
Scholarship Support
Establish scholarships to help attract the best and brightest students to our programs, especially those interested in addressing urban health challenges and health inequity.
Student Field Immersion Experiences
Provide experiential opportunities for students focusing on international research, study abroad programs and development of professional public health skills through an internship (practicum).
Endowed Chair
Create endowed professorships to support our efforts to recruit and retain world-class researchers and instructors committed to finding innovative solutions to 21st-century public health challenges.
Research Support
Offers faculty and students the opportunity to submit research papers and presentations at the leading conferences for public health.
Academic Enhancements
Provides funding for cutting-edge learning facilities and updated technology to help faculty and students better engage the community with the research conducted in the School of Public Health.
Centers
Provides support for programs and research conducted in the School of Public Health’s Centers, which promote the health, safety and well-being of children, adults, families and refugees through research, service, education, training and advocacy.

– Dr. Judith Ottoson, Public health researcher whose husband, Dr. Lawrence W. Green, established the Judith Ottoson Scholarship in her honor
Many Ways to Give
It’s easy — and rewarding — to invest in Georgia State’s future through a private gift. You can quickly make an online gift here and now. If you prefer, Georgia State development representatives are ready to help you create a named endowment or leave a legacy gift that reflects your personal interests. They can assist, as well, with corporate and matching gifts.
Contact
Mailing address: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, PO Box 3995, Atlanta, Ga. 30302-3995
Office location: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur St. SE, Suite 421, Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Annual Programs
Annual giving provides alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends with the opportunity to make yearly contributions to the university.
Women's Philanthropy Network
The group believes there is untapped potential in the power of women to create a stronger and more vital community by supporting Georgia State’s transformational goals.
GSU Fund For Excellence
The GSU Fund for Excellence provides unrestricted, university-wide support to ensure our scholarship programs, learning and research resources and outreach programs are consistently up-to-date and world-class.
Annual Programs
Annual giving provides alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends with the opportunity to make yearly contributions to the university.
Women's Philanthropy Network
WPN was founded by a group of Georgia State alumnae and friends who work to improve the success rate of our students. They believe there is untapped potential in the power of women to create a stronger and more vital community by supporting Georgia State’s transformational goals.
GSU Fund For Excellence
The GSU Fund for Excellence provides unrestricted, university-wide support to ensure that our scholarship programs, learning and research resources, and outreach programs are consistently up-to-date and world-class.