Public Health Bachelor’s Degree
Degree: BS
Locations: North Carolina, Online, Rhode Island
Internship: Required, 6 credits
Credits: 121
Build Healthier Communities
At JWU, our focus on public health involves delivering patient-centered and humanistic healthcare to diverse populations. In our B.S. in Public Health degree, you will learn to assess and plan for community needs by taking a holistic approach that includes courses in nutrition, exercise science, public health, psychology, sociology and economics. Our students also gain insight into global health issues and develop solutions for challenges faced by different populations around the world.
Graduates of JWU’s Public Health program can choose to apply for our Master of Public Health degree, which provides a more in-depth training and prepares them to become future leaders in public health. Many of our B.S. in Public Health graduates have continued their education by pursuing M.P.H. degrees at prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, New York University and George Washington University.
Building Public Health Skills
At JWU, we support our students in becoming public health advocates, with mentorship from faculty who are well-versed in research and have real-world industry experience. Students can make a difference in health, whether through research and education, providing data analysis for local health initiatives or conducting surveys to investigate the links between smartphone addiction and mental health, or the relationship between social media use and depression in college students.
In this program, you’ll:
- Become prepared for a career in healthcare or for graduate studies in public health
- Learn how to evaluate, present and analyze data and develop policies and interventions
- Obtain the intervention skills set to evaluate global health systems, identifying problems and developing solutions
- Identify and complete a full-year research project, presenting your findings to fellow researchers and to the public
- Apply free elective credit to options ranging from internships to study abroad
Fast Track Your Nursing Degree
JWU’s Public Health students may pursue the Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program immediately after completing their Public Health B.S. degree through our 4+ track. Faculty will provide specialized advising for students who indicate interest in this pathway. Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for a 25% discount on your ABSN degree through the Wildcat Alumni Scholarship.
What can you do with a Public Health degree?
After graduation, you’ll be prepared for careers such as:
- Public health specialist
- Policy analyst
- Grants coordinator
- Research associate
- Data analyst
- Project coordinator
Gaining Experience Through Research
“I was given the opportunity to be a part of JWU’s Center for Student Research and Interdisciplinary Collaboration as a research fellow, which has provided me with valuable experience for my future in public health. As a research fellow, I have had the opportunity to work with real-life data and collaborate with faculty mentors to produce various research products, as well as present at state-wide conferences.”
– Lilly Oliveira ’25, CSRIC Managing Research Fellow, Health Equity Club President
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
Students in the College of Hospitality & Business will apply and adapt their knowledge in innovative ways through the Hospitality & Business Core Experience.
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options, such as internships, minors, or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
Contact Us
The Public Health program faculty contact Cara J. Sammartino, PhD