“Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and
their communities.” (CDC Foundation). These communities can be as small as your local
neighborhood, or as big as an entire country or region of the world. Public health
work includes promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing injuries, advocating for laws
that keep people safe, using social media to spread the word about staying healthy,
and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.
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“Public health saves money, improves our quality of life, helps children thrive and
reduces human suffering.” (APHA) Public health professionals try to prevent problems
from happening or recurring through educational programs, policies, services and research—in
contrast to clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, who focus primarily on
treating individuals after they become sick or injured. Public health also works ensure
that everyone has the resources they need to get and stay healthy.
You might ask, “what CAN’T I do with a degree in public health?” Because the field
of public health is so broad, there’s probably a place for you in it!
If you like working with people you could become a health educator, teaching people
how to stay healthy. If you have leadership skills, you could work in health care
organizational management. If you like data and numbers, you could become an epidemiologist
or biostatistician. Are you a social media star? You can use your talents to influence
people to be healthy. Like solving mysteries? You could be a “disease detective” helping
to identify and prevent the next pandemic.
If you care about health and want to help others, public health could be the place
for you!
The BS in Public Health degree is an entry-level degree. It prepares you for entry-level
positions such as:
- Health Educator
- Community Outreach Specialist
- Program Coordinator
The BS in Public Health also prepares you for graduate work in Public Health and many
other health-related professions.
Like many other career fields, in Public Health your income and your responsibility
increase with your education and years of experience. Some careers will require a
master’s degree or even a doctorate. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
skills are in high demand. And employers are always looking for employees with dedication
and excellent skills in teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and cultural sensitivity
–all qualities that we promote in the public health curriculum.
Some of the many possible careers in public health include:
- Health Educator
- Public Health Program Specialist or Officer
- Data Analyst
- Public Health Communications Officer
- Global Infectious Disease Analyst
- International NGO Aid Worker
- Epidemiologist
- Public Health Researcher
- Health Policy Analyst
- Health Care Manager
- Evaluation Specialist
Not sure exactly what you want to do after graduation? That’s OK! Through advising
and consultation with faculty mentors, you can develop the career pathway that’s right
for you. And a capstone internship experience will give you practical, hands-on experience
with public health and help you network with potential employers.
Want to speak to an advisor?
Want to read more details about the program? Go to our FAQS for current students
