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Are you interested in preventing disease outbreaks? Do you want to help develop policies that shape the health and well-being of entire populations? If so, a public health degree might be the perfect fit for you.
Public health isn’t just about preventing disease – it’s about improving health equity, addressing disparities and advocating for systemic change. Unlike clinical health care, which focuses on treating individuals, public health takes a broader approach, working at the community and population levels to promote wellness and expand access to essential health resources.
This field blends science, policy, education and hands-on intervention to address challenges like infectious disease control, environmental health and health care access. Public health professionals play a vital role in analyzing health trends, responding to emerging threats and implementing programs that create lasting change.
A public health major equips you with the knowledge and skills to make an impact. Through a high-quality undergraduate program, you’ll build a strong foundation in public health principles, develop collaboration and leadership skills and prepare for careers in health care, government, research and nonprofit organizations. With this degree, you can lead, advocate and improve the health and well-being of communities everywhere.
As a public health major, you’ll develop a deep understanding of the factors that shape health outcomes and gain practical experience through hands-on learning opportunities. You’ll study how social, environmental and policy influences impact public health while building the skills needed to lead. Whether you’re interested in disease prevention, health policy or emergency preparedness, this degree prepares you for your future career.
At Northwest Missouri State University, the public health major provides the expertise and real-world experience needed to address critical health issues. The curriculum covers key topics such as epidemiology, health policy, community health and global health, combining classroom learning with applied practice. With a strong focus on leadership, advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration, Northwest’s program prepares you to work across sectors and contribute to solutions for today’s most pressing public health challenges. Through internships, community projects and service learning, you’ll graduate ready to make a difference locally, nationally and globally.
At Northwest, you can choose between two options: the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in public health and the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in public health. Both programs provide excellent preparation for public health careers.
If you’re starting fresh or transferring from another college, the B.S. in public health is likely the best fit. This program gives you a comprehensive foundation in public health, covering everything from epidemiology and health policy to community and global health.
If you’ve already earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or a related certificate from a regionally accredited community college, the B.A.S. in public health offers a streamlined path to public health careers. This degree lets you maximize your previous coursework, reduce the number of general education classes required and complete your degree in less time. Northwest’s B.A.S. is also ideal if you have a technical background and want to transition into public health.
Most transfer students will find the B.S. in public health at Northwest to be the best option, but if you qualify for the B.A.S., you can take advantage of a shorter, more efficient path to earning your degree. No matter which program you choose, you’ll graduate ready to make a difference in the communities you serve.
Public health is an interdisciplinary field that blends science, policy, communication and hands-on problem-solving to protect and improve health for all. It requires you to think critically, analyze health trends and develop strategies that prevent disease and promote well-being. Whether you’re evaluating the impact of a health policy, responding to an emerging public health crisis or designing education campaigns, success in this field requires the ability to adapt, collaborate and apply evidence-based solutions.
At Northwest, you’ll build these skills through a curriculum that provides a strong foundation in public health principles, research methods and practical applications. You’ll explore how diseases spread, how policies shape health care systems and how environmental and social factors influence health outcomes. You’ll also apply what you learn in the real world, gaining first-hand experience in addressing public health issues.
Your coursework emphasizes leadership, advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration. You’ll study key areas such as:
This well-rounded curriculum ensures you graduate with a solid understanding of public health systems and the practical experience to apply your knowledge in the field.
Public health is a field for individuals who are passionate about improving health at a broader level. If you are driven by a desire to prevent disease, promote wellness and advocate for systemic change, a career in public health could be a perfect match for you.
As a public health professional, you’ll need to have a strong problem-solving mindset and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines to address complex health issues. Whether you’re focusing on policy development, disease prevention, health care access or environmental health, your public health career requires you to be adaptable and committed to health equity.
At Northwest, the public health program prepares you to lead health initiatives, conduct research and advocate for change across sectors. If you’re ready to shape health policies, design community programs, or contribute to global health efforts, public health careers offer a rewarding path to create real-world solutions in roles such as:
Ready to make a difference in the lives of individuals and entire populations?
Explore Northwest's Public Health Major
At Northwest, your public health degree is more than just a foundation – it’s a launchpad for a meaningful career. Our program is designed to give you a well-rounded education that intersects public health with health care, business, social work and environmental science. You won’t just study theory – you’ll apply what you learn through internships, service-learning and community projects that put your skills into action.
As a public health major at Northwest, you’ll also develop leadership skills that equip you to advocate for policies, influence change and lead important public health initiatives. With a flexible curriculum, you can tailor your degree to align with your goals, whether you’re interested in health care administration, policy analysis, research or beyond. Here’s what makes Northwest’s public health program stand out.
Build expertise in public health and understand how it intersects with health care, business, social work and environmental science. This broad perspective prepares you to work across sectors and address evolving public health challenges.
Gain real-world experience through internships, service-learning and community projects. Develop practical skills in program design, evaluation and public health interventions that prepare you for the workforce.
Position yourself for careers in health care administration, policy analysis and public health education in settings like government agencies, nonprofits and research institutions. Northwest also prepares you to pursue graduate-level studies in public health or related disciplines.
Do you see yourself in a career dedicated to improving community health? Northwest’s public health degree can help you get there. Whether you're starting fresh or building on previous academic experience, our program prepares you for a rewarding career or further graduate studies.
