Public Health
Undergraduate Program
Hone your passion. Find your purpose.
Corvallis Campus
Ecampus
Make a difference in your community
With a Bachelor of Science degree in public health from Oregon State, you’ll explore the root causes of health challenges and the social, environmental and behavioral factors that impact people’s well-being. You’ll learn how to promote and protect the health of individuals and entire communities — where they live, learn, work and play.
Whether you study on campus or earn your public health degree online through OSU Ecampus, you'll be prepared to tackle real-world problems and make a lasting impact.
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Prevention. Equity. Community.
"I fell in love with public health’s focus on prevention, equity and community-based solutions. By addressing root causes and reducing health disparities, we can create lasting change and improve the health of more people. I’m passionate about making a difference and helping communities thrive."
Ryan Krivens, '24
Major: Public Health
Now: MPH student at Oregon State
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.
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
Your experience as a public health undergrad student
Learn alongside curious peers and faculty while building the real-world skills needed to lead change and promote healthier lives.
Internships
With an internship built into the program, you’ll gain valuable experience and practical skills before you graduate.
What is public health?
Public health professionals promote and protect the health of people and communities – where they live, learn, work and play.
Careers in health care and public health
Public health careers focus on preventing disease, promoting healthy habits and shaping health policies to keep everyone safe and well.
Whether you want to become a doctor, nurse, or lawyer, create impactful health programs, or advocate for better health policies, public health offers endless ways to do meaningful work that improves lives and strengthens communities.
Public health tracks and related programs
Health Promotion and Health Behavior
In the Health Promotion and Health Behavior Track, you’ll learn about the many social and behavioral factors that impact our health, such as the physical environment, access to health care and education, economic stability and more
Health Systems and Policy
In the Health Systems and Policy Track, you’ll learn how health systems function, where they fall short, and how to create change that leads to healthier, more equitable communities.
Pre-Med/Pre-Clinical
The Pre-Med/Pre-Clinical Track prepares you for health care careers while helping you see the bigger picture through public health, equity and systems thinking.
Public Health Science
The Public Health Science Track is designed for future researchers, analysts and epidemiologists who want to understand the why and how behind health challenges.
Minors and certificates
A health minor or certificate will give you unique skills and perspectives on how to ensure health and well-being for all — in any future career.
Accelerated Master's Program
The Accelerated Master's Program allows current OSU undergraduate students to take graduate classes and apply those credits to their current undergraduate degree and transfer them to a participating graduate program.
Contact us
Have questions about classes, clubs or campus life? Our peer ambassadors are happy to help. Call or email them.
For program or admissions info, email the College of Health recruitment team.
Accreditation
Our BS, MPH and PhD Public Health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. This distinction ensures your education meets the nationally agreed-upon standards developed by public health academics and practitioners.