Public Health
Undergraduate program
Hone your passion. Find your purpose.
Corvallis Campus
Ecampus
Improve the lives of others
With an Oregon State bachelor of science degree in public health, you’ll learn about the root causes of health challenges and the complex factors that shape every one of us.
As a public health professional, you'll promote and protect the health of people and communities – where they live, learn, work and play.
Every day you'll ask how you can help improve your community.
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As a public health major at Oregon State, you’ll...
- Take a holistic look at disease and injury prevention, including environmental issues and health policies.
- Dive deep into the social determinants of health — the social and environmental conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age.
- Address lifelong health, including health disparities and health equity.
- Have the opportunity to work locally, nationally and internationally on critical health issues.
What is public health?
Public health professionals promote and protect the health of people and communities – where they live, learn, work and play.
Public health degree options
Choose one of the following public health degree options:
Enhance your experience:
The College of Health was the first accredited school of public health in Oregon
Ecampus
This major option is also available 100% online through OSU Ecampus, top-ranked in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Sample public health courses
- Evidence-based health promotion
- Financial management of health care organizations
- Health care law and regulation
- Planning and evaluating health promotion programs
- Racism and health equity
Public health undergrad internship
Your internship can be completed in a variety of public health settings, including local health departments, federal governments, OSU Extension Service, international settings, nonprofit organizations such as schools, local shelters, clinics, hospitals, and other sites based on each student's own professional goals.
What will you do with a public health degree?
Public health is a rapidly changing and expanding field that offers diverse and rewarding career options. 250,000+ public health workers are needed to meet the world’s current needs.
Study public health for careers in:
*These roles may require post-baccalaureate/graduate/professional education to qualify.
Health management and policy
- Health care administrator
- Health clinic manager
- Health communication specialist
- Long-term care administrator*
- Policy analyst
- Public health department administrator
- International health worker
- State health department manager
Health promotion and health behavior
- Certified health educator*
- Community health worker*
- College/university health educator*
- Epidemiologist*
- Environmental health specialist*
- Global health educator*
- Grant writer/evaluation consultant*
- Health promotion agency director*
- Media advocacy specialist
- Patient navigator
- Worksite health promotion specialist/assistant
From public health to medical school
Earn a bachelor’s degree in public health while setting yourself up for success in medical school.
Emily Burney, '18
"I had never heard of public health before, but learning about the myriad of ways in which public health work impacts our lives made me want to learn more, so I could work to make others’ lives better in the future."
Contact us
Peer advisors
If you have questions regarding classes, student clubs or campus, our peer advisors would love to chat. Call or email them for advice.
David Cortez, MEd
For questions about the program, application process or requirements, contact our director of student recruitment and admissions, David Cortez, MEd.