Programs


Want to help people? Looking for an exciting and varied career? Then Public Health is for you.

Whether your dream is to help communities stay healthy, prevent disease outbreaks, manage a hospital or teach people about making healthy choices, the public health programs at WSU will kickstart your career.


Practical Experience to Solve Real World Problems

When you major in Public Health at WSU, you’ll learn from faculty who have decades of experience working in public health within and outside the U.S.

You’ll have hands-on projects to design and implement community-based health initiatives such as a practicum where you support wellness coaching at a local community health clinic or an internship with a non-profit organization.

Or, you could partner with the Red Cross or local government to develop, enact and manage real-time health information campaigns.

WSU Public Health majors are provided with the experience necessary to go out and start improving the world - immediately upon graduating.


Choose Your Career Specialty

With the core courses, you gain the foundation of public health practices. With the major emphases, you’ll dive into a specialized area of knowledge and skills that will shape your future career.

Community Health


In the Community Health major, you’ll learn about the health issues that affect communities and how to be an effective community health educator.

A Community Health degree is likely a good fit for you if you:

  • are passionate about health
  • are inspired by the idea of helping others
  • like working with people of different backgrounds
  • can find creative ways to help people maintain their health
  • value diversity and are open to others’ viewpoints and experiences

Epidemiology


In the Epidemiology major, you’ll learn about detecting disease outbreaks and how to prevent and control the spread of disease.

An Epidemiology degree is likely a good fit for you if you:

  • like solving problems
  • aim for Graduate School
  • are interested in science, math and statistics
  • are logical and can come to conclusions using evidence as support
  • want to work on the front-line of preventing future pandemics and controlling current disease outbreaks

Health Administration


In the Health Administration major, you’ll learn how to be a leader in the healthcare industry and how to manage hospitals and clinics.

A Health Administration degree is likely a good fit for you if you:

  • are organized
  • are a natural leader
  • can respond to problems calmly but decisively
  • like working with people of different backgrounds

Nutrition


In the Nutrition major, you’ll learn how to design food and nutrition programs that reduce disease risk.

Using public health principles, you help improve quality of life for groups of people and larger communities.

A Nutrition degree is likely a good fit for you if you:

  • are passionate about nutrition
  • like working with and helping people
  • want to advocate for the underserved
  • aim to become a registered dietician or nutritionist
  • are interested in promoting safety and sustainability within our food systems

Minors


Learn the concepts underlying modern public health practice and nutrition principles, and pair this knowledge with a major of your choice.

A minor in Public Health or a Nutrition minor can support your career as a:

  • Nurse
  • Social Worker
  • Health Educator
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Marketing & Communications professional
  • Business administrator

Public Health Master’s Program Pathway


Save your time (and money) by earning credit that will count toward your undergraduate degree at WSU and your Master’s in Public Health at St. Ambrose University.

A master’s degree is a key step on the path toward higher level positions where you have more decision-making power and can make a bigger impact in your organization and community.

Learn more about the online Master’s Pathway Program between WSU and St. Ambrose University.

Similar WSU Programs


Health Promotion – School Health

Learn how to teach children and adolescents about health and health behavior in a school setting.

In the School Health program, you’ll earn a teaching degree and licensure so you can teach health education in Minnesota schools.

Explore the School Health major.