Public Health

Undergraduate program

Hone your passion. Find your purpose.

 Corvallis   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.

Public health professionals promote and protect the health of people and communities – where they live, learn, work and play.

How will you 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 health across the lifespan, 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.

   Learn more

Public health degree options

Choose one of the following public health degree options:

Enhance your experience:

Ecampus

This major option is also available 100% online through OSU Ecampus, ranked top 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

 

Online program details

  

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

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.

Explore pre-med options

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

David Cortez, MEd

For questions about the program, application process or requirements, contact our director of student recruitment and admissions, David Cortez, MEd.