Undergraduate Program
Spotlight
Public Health Students
Public Health students won the Ultimate Frisbee championships.
Public Health (B.S.)
The field of public health is charged with assessing, understanding, and responding to the behavioral and ecological factors that influence the health of communities throughout the world. Public health professionals strive to improve the health of individuals and communities by efforts situated in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and corporations. The work of a public health professional is diverse and includes activities such as documenting the spread of disease and illness, developing and managing programs designed to change health-related behaviors, and implementing regulatory initiatives and working with policy makers to facilitate societal changes that promote well-being.
Introduction
By majoring in public health in Indiana University's Department of Applied Health Science, students gain knowledge in the core public health sciences of epidemiology, statistics, and behavioral science, develop an understanding of the cultural and societal factors that influence health, and gain the skills necessary to develop public health programs that are designed to influence the health-related behaviors of individuals, groups, and communities. Students are encouraged by the faculty to personalize their public health program by focusing their work on critical public health issues such as obesity, nutrition, physical activity, cancer, human sexuality, HIV and other sexually transmissible diseases, family health, and gerontology.
Given the linkages between public health and medicine, the public health major is an ideal choice for students considering medical school. A pre-med option is available within the major.
Degree Requirement
Tab sheet for major and tab sheet for minor (PDF)
Students must complete 26 credit hours and have cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be admitted to the major in Public Health. A minimum of 124 credit hours is required to complete the degree. A minor in public health is also available.
Through course work and a required 5 credit hour internship, the Public Health program prepares students academically and professionally. Students complete the internship in established public health agencies in a diverse range of settings around the world. Options are also available for students interested in further specializing their degree by adding CPR, EMT, and Certified Health Education Specialist certifications. A range of minors in health-related areas are also available.
Job Outlook
Public interest in a healthy lifestyle will continue to drive demand for public health professionals. Public health careers can be found in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; universities; or with health foundations and health-based grant projects.
A public health degree can lead to career opportunities as:
- Biostatistician
- Disease Prevention Manager
- Environmental Health Educator
- Fitness and Wellness Program Manager
- Health Data Analyst
- Health Promotion and Outreach Services Coordinator
- Maternal and Child Health Specialist
- Nutrition Educator
- Public Health Educator
- Public Health Epidemiologist
- Sexual Assault Services Coordinator
- Technical Advisor for HIV/AIDS Programs
- Vaccine Advisor and Program Manager
- Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
As with any profession, salaries vary by geographic region, employment setting, and job responsibilities. Entry-level salaries for public health professionals fall between $20,000-$30,000 while starting salaries for students with a master's degree fall between $28,000-$35,000. However, a master's degree in public health with a few years of experience in the field can command salaries exceeding $50,000.
