Public Health
A degree in public health will prepare you for an immediate career as a community health worker, educator or program coordinator.
Gaby at Colonia Amistad
Dan Kailey at Vaccine Event
Mariana Sonia Jenny with Vaccine Handouts
Kailey Pricila Vaccine Event
Megan Sonia at Testing Event
Fam Jam 2022
Library Event
Pricila and Kailey Vaccine Event
WOU group at Vaccine Event
Jenny and Kailey Packing again
Jenny at Dream Center
Sarah Doing Outreach
Jenny at Dream Center again
Sam at Testing Event
WOU group with Door Hangers
Jenny and Kailey Packing
Where this degree can take you
Our major will familiarize you with the main functions of public health, prevention, chronic and infectious disease, tailoring health needs to specific populations, functions of organizations, and future directions of public health. Our students also go on to clinical and graduate programs in nursing and other healthcare professions, as well as master’s degrees in public health, education, social work, health administration, public policy and others.
JOB OPPORTUNTIES
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Community health worker
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Health navigator/advocate
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Sexual health educator
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Migrant worker outreach
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Human services coordinator
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Prevention Specialist
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Substance abuse educator
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Nutrition educator
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County/state public health worker
Possible employers
- State and County Health Departments
- Community-based Organizations
- Health Research Companies
- Hospitals and Health Clinics
SKILLS YOU’LL LEARN
Conduct local needs assessments
Design health education programs
Serve as a resource and advocate for the community
Create health promotion materials
Research/analyze health data
Engage communities in healthy activities
What WOU Public Health Alumni are doing today:
Coursework
Years 1 & 2
The core curriculum in public health will familiarize you with the major functions of public health, prevention of diseases and injuries, health needs of specific populations, functions of organizations, and future directions of public health.
Years 3
In upper division classes, you’ll learn to interpret health research, evaluate patterns of health and disease in populations, and design and implement health promotion programs.
Year 4
Your study culminates in a public health internship so you can bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“I graduated in March 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and started working as a Community Health Project Coordinator. My job entails creating and distributing educational materials, planning and implementing outreach events, and leading contact tracing for a local county. I plan to obtain my master’s degree in public health and work for
a county health department.”
Our faculty
DAN DOWHOWER
Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science
dowhowerd@wou.edu
AMY HAMMERMEISTER JORDAN
NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
hammerma@wou.edu
JANET ROBERTS
NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
robertsjl@wou.edu
SHAWN SELLERS
NTT Instructor, and Fabulous, Health & Exercise Science
sellerss@wou.edu
EMILY VALA-HAYNES
Professor/Associate Professor, Health & Exercise Science
valahaynese@wou.edu
LOREN WISNIEWSKI
NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
wisniewl@wou.edu
