The Field

Public Health is a broad, interdisciplinary field dedicated to protecting and improving the health of populations. It combines science, policy, and community-based approaches to prevent disease, promote health, and advance health equity. Public health efforts address a wide range of issues, including infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, health disparities, and access to care. 

The Public Health Sciences major prepares students for entry-level roles in the public health field and provides a strong foundation for graduate study in academic, clinical, and professional programs. The interdisciplinary curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex health challenges, while offering flexibility to align coursework with individual career goals and interests. Students explore diverse topics such as environmental health, health policy, community health education, epidemiology, biostatistics, and social determinants of health, preparing them for the broad array of career opportunities in public health and related fields.

Public health professionals apply evidence-based approaches to address community health challenges, including the following:

• Monitoring health status to identify community health needs.
• Investigating health problems and environmental hazards.
• Informing, educating, and empowering individuals and communities about health issues.
• Building partnerships to address community health challenges.
• Developing and advocating for policies that support health and well-being.
• Enforcing health regulations to protect public safety.
• Connecting individuals with essential health services and ensuring equitable access to care.
• Strengthening the public health and healthcare workforce.
• Evaluating the effectiveness and quality of health programs and services.

Public health careers span a wide range of roles in healthcare systems, research institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. The skills developed through the Public Health Sciences major, including critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and collaboration, are essential for addressing today’s pressing health challenges and making meaningful contributions to the health of communities locally and globally.