Public Health

• Bachelor

  Degree

• English

  Language of instructions

• 4 years

  Years of study

• Full-time

  Study mode

• United States, Erie

  Location

This is the time to enter into the public health sector — the demand for public health careers is expected to steadily grow over the next decade. This exciting field of study will introduce you to an array of fulfilling, diverse job opportunities that concentrate on human health, illnesses, disease prevention and the environment. Public health is integral to every society; it addresses the most pressing health concerns to date by going beyond traditional medical care provided by physicians and current healthcare systems. Through research, public policy and by supporting various organizations, public health graduates learn unique ways to indirectly and directly impact the well-being of a population. Often labeled a “hot field for a global generation,” public health trains future leaders and advocates for a better tomorrow by offering a strong foundation for studying the health of human populations through education, research and practical, hands-on experience outside of the classroom. Beginning your freshman year, you’ll work directly with distinguished faculty on cutting-edge research. Additionally, Mercyhurst's liberal arts approach gives you an advantage — by combining the public health program with 15 other fields of study, you can create a unique, multidisciplinary undergraduate education that can lead you to a career that better fits your interests. There are four concentrations within this program: 1) Community Health: Community Health seeks to improve the health and quality of life of all people in a community. Using health science, evidence-based strategies and culturally appropriate approaches, professionals in this sector, engage communities in finding solutions to health needs of the community. 2) Environmental Health: Environmental Health seeks to understand the relationship between the environment, humans and animals. It focuses on finding solutions to the many challenges posed by environmental health hazards including chemical, biological and radiation exposures at work, at home and at play-and the choices we must make to minimize personal exposures and to promote safe and healthy environments. 3) Epidemiology: Epidemiology tries to identify disease occurrence, factors that contribute to disease spread and effective actions to prevent, control and reduce disease burden. This field is essential for making decisions about health policy, treatment of diseases and to establish public health priorities. 4) Global Health: Global Health looks for ways to improve the health, life expectancy and health equity of individuals around the world.