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 offered via the Corvallis campus and online:
Enhance your experience:
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
Study public health online
This major option is also available 100% online through OSU Ecampus, consistently ranked among the nation's 10 best providers of online education according to U.S. News & World Report.
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.
Hana Nakamura-Daya,’24
"When I first started OSU, I was a bio-health major because I believed the only way to be in health care and help people was by being a clinician. However, after a few terms, I learned more about OSU's public health program, which led me to change majors and colleges.
I quickly realized that to make impactful change, having a strong foundational knowledge in the health care system coupled with health promotion and health education experience was essential."
Contact us
Peer ambassadors
If you have questions regarding classes, student clubs or campus, our peer ambassadors would love to chat. Call or email them for advice.
Mikaela Swaim
Student Outreach and Support Coordinator
For questions about the program, application process or requirements, contact our COH 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.