Public Health
Bachelor of Science
Major, Minor
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
4-Year Degree
Overview
Make Connections, Draw Conclusions, and Change the World
Studying public health starts in the classroom, but its impact extends far beyond. That’s why our undergrads aren’t studying communities’ health on the sidelines. They’re taking the lead in research projects on role of climate change on pollution inversions and birth defects. They’re going on community-engaged learning trips to understand the healthcare needs of rural indigenous populations. They’re completing internships at places like the International Rescue Committee.
Who It's For
If you’re ready to learn about the powerful role that social sciences, humanities, and arts play in understanding the health of communities and populations, then you’re ready for a career in public health. Our Public Health program gives each student a big-picture view that goes beyond standard coursework.
Key Benefits
We Open Doors—Literally
That’s why on any given day, a professor’s open door might lead you to a spontaneous discussion with a handful of classmates.
Prepare for a Lifetime of Making a Difference
Gain experience educating children on healthy lifestyles, researching environmental toxins, or fighting for safe workplace environments.
"Because of our small class sizes and intensive mentoring, each student's experience is highly personalized. To faculty here, every student is an individual, with unique strengths and weaknesses, hopes and dreams. And we pride ourselves in getting to know this about all of our students."
About the Program
We Know Public Health Can't be Contained in a Textbook
To truly make the world a healthier place for schoolchildren, solve public health problems before they start, or impact global communities, you need a unique kind of program.
Combine investigative science, on-the-ground community service, and rich research opportunities to prepare you for the vast possibilities in public health.
What You'll Learn
- Gain a rich liberal arts background ranging from history to behavioral science and everything in between.
- Understand the economic, environmental, cultural, political, and ethical considerations involved in the public health landscape, and apply them.
- Develop your critical thinking, research, and teamwork skills to solve the root causes of public health issues.
- Recognize the role of quantitative methods in addressing public health issues.
- Explore the social justice issues at the core of many public health problems so you can help solve them before they start.
- Understand how to utilize health policy and health administration to positively affect public health.
- Develop the critical thinking skills needed to recognize the public health problems of vulnerable populations on a social and community scale.
- Develop the ability to describe the biological basis of health and disease from a population viewpoint,
- Develop the ability to describe multidisciplinary and ecological public health issues and concerns.
- Understand the role of health promotion and health prevention in public health.
- Understand the role of the environment on health.
- Develop your global consciousness and a knowledge base of global health issues in order to utilize them to address health issues worldwide.
Plan of Study
Liberal Education Courses
You must complete the WCore program or join the Honors College (and complete requirements) to fulfill your liberal education credits.
Want to learn more about the Public Health program?
A dedicated admissions counselor will reach out to you with personalized information to help with your search for the right program.
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Potential Careers
Most students are offered jobs before graduation, and all are employed within 3 months.
- Graduates who go straight into the workforce are prepared for high-level public health work for local entities, community organizations, and nonprofits.
- Many students also go on to graduate work in top health programs like Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Tulane, and Emory. You can even find them entering medical school, PA school, and law school.
Student Success
With a Westminster Public Health degree, our alumni are
- Participating in globally significant research projects
- Making a difference in public health research at organizations like the World Health Organization
- Helping to address pressing issues and illnesses that matter today
“What I really enjoyed about public health at Westminster was learning about important topics and then sharing that information.”
“There’s no possible other way that I would have been accepted to John Hopkins had it not been for Westminster. Westminster has the best undergraduate public-health program in the state. There’s no way you can apply yourself into this program and not come away a better student, a better person, or a better professional.”
Related Programs
The program can also be taken as a minor.
Tuition and Aid
There's No Better Investment Than You
Westminster College knows you want an education where you matter—a place that will serve as a launchpad for a successful career and a meaningful life. Westminster will work with you individually through every step of the financial aid process. From scholarships to grants and loans, Westminster helps you make it happen.
With the highest percentage of students who complete one or more internships in the state, Westminster students hit the ground running with real-world experience. Plus, 90% of students were either employed or attending graduate school within 5 months of graduating. With a Westminster degree, you don't have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling life.
You’ll be automatically considered for scholarship and grant opportunities.
In addition to general merit scholarships, there are other scholarship programs to support you throughout your time at Westminster.
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