Program Overview

Public Health

Overview

A degree in public health will prepare you for an immediate career as a community health worker, educator, or program coordinator.

Where this degree can take you

Our major will familiarize you with the main functions of public health, prevention, chronic and infectious disease, tailoring health needs to specific populations, functions of organizations, and future directions of public health. Our students also go on to clinical and graduate programs in nursing and other healthcare professions, as well as master’s degrees in public health, education, social work, health administration, public policy, and others.

Job Opportunities

• Community health worker
• Health navigator/advocate
• Sexual health educator
• Migrant worker outreach
• Human services coordinator
• Prevention Specialist
• Substance abuse educator
• Nutrition educator
• County/state public health worker

Possible Employers

• State and County Health Departments
• Community-based Organizations
• Health Research Companies
• Hospitals and Health Clinics

Skills You’ll Learn

• Conduct local needs assessments
• Design health education programs
• Serve as a resource and advocate for the community
• Create health promotion materials
• Research/analyze health data
• Engage communities in healthy activities

Coursework

Years 1 & 2

The core curriculum in public health will familiarize you with the major functions of public health, prevention of diseases and injuries, health needs of specific populations, functions of organizations, and future directions of public health.

Years 3

In upper division classes, you’ll learn to interpret health research, evaluate patterns of health and disease in populations, and design and implement health promotion programs.

Year 4

Your study culminates in a public health internship so you can bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Faculty

• DAN DOWHOWER: Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science
• AMY HAMMERMEISTER JORDAN: NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
• JANET ROBERTS: NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
• SHAWN SELLERS: NTT Instructor, and Fabulous, Health & Exercise Science
• EMILY VALA-HAYNES: Professor/Associate Professor, Health & Exercise Science
• LOREN WISNIEWSKI: NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science

Alumni Testimonials

• “I graduated in March 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and started working as a Community Health Project Coordinator. My job entails creating and distributing educational materials, planning and implementing outreach events, and leading contact tracing for a local county. I plan to obtain my master’s degree in public health and work for a county health department.” - Jenny Leon-Perez, WOU '20 Alumni