Public Health, Minor
The public health minor is available to students who are interested in working in disease prevention, community and public health settings. It is ideal for students majoring in EXPER, business, mass communications, psychology, sociology, social work and math.
Click on the curriculum tab to see the required courses.
Minoring in Public Health in college offers a wide range of benefits, especially if you're passionate about health, prevention, and community well-being. Whether you’re headed toward a clinical, educational, policy, or nonprofit path, a Public Health minor provides skills and insights that are increasingly relevant in today’s world.
🔹 1. Understanding Population-Level Health
You’ll learn how health affects communities, populations, and societies—not just individuals. Key topics include:
Epidemiology (how diseases spread)
Health disparities
Environmental and occupational health
Health education and promotion
Global health issues
This broader view is valuable in healthcare, policy, education, and nonprofit work.
🔹 2. Preparation for Diverse Career Paths
A Public Health minor can enhance your qualifications for careers in:
Health education
Nonprofit and community health organizations
Public policy and health advocacy
Environmental health or global health initiatives
It’s also a great foundation for graduate programs in public health (MPH), nursing, medicine, social work, or healthcare administration.
🔹 3. Complements Many Majors
It pairs well with:
Biology / Pre-Med
Nursing
Psychology / Sociology
Political Science / Public Policy
Environmental Science
Education
Adding public health gives these majors a population-health and prevention focus that sets you apart.
🔹 4. Strengthens Skills in Critical Thinking and Data Use
You’ll gain practice in:
Interpreting health data
Evaluating research and policies
Designing health interventions
Understanding social determinants of health
These are valuable, transferable skills in many fields.
🔹 5. Real-World, Service-Oriented Impact
Public health is deeply tied to equity, advocacy, and community improvement. If you want to make a difference in underserved communities, work in nonprofits, or contribute to health justice, this minor gives you the tools to do so.
🔹 6. Relevant in the World Today
With increasing demand for public health professionals and awareness of issues like:
Health equity
Pandemic preparedness
Mental health
Environmental health
A Public Health minor makes you more informed, marketable, and adaptable.
✅ Summary
Minoring in Public Health gives you a broad, interdisciplinary toolkit to understand and address health challenges at the community and global levels. It strengthens your resume, prepares you for graduate studies, and adds depth to majors in science, healthcare, policy, and social science.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Possess content knowledge and skills associated with the Public Health field.
- Evaluate and integrate critical knowledge and skills to common professional issues in the health science fields.
- Exhibit effective oral and written communication regarding health science subject matter.
Specific Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HS 101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| HS 230 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| HS 430 | Public Health Program Planning | 3 |
| HS 435 | Public Health Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Select 6 credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Evaluation of Health Issues | 3 | |
| Nutrition & Food Systems in Public Health | 3 | |
| Grant Writing & Community Partnerships | 3 | |
| Public Health and the Environment | 3 | |
| Community and Global Health | 3 | |
| Research | 1-3 | |
| Field Experience | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |