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Division of Health & Exercise Science

Home » Programs and Degrees » Public Health

  • Programs and Degrees
      • Majors
      • Public Health
      • Exercise Science
      • Minors
      • Public Health Minor
      • Programs
      • School Health Education
      • Physical Education Teacher Education
  • Internships
  • COVID-19 Project
  • Highlights
  • Faculty & Staff

Public Health

  • Programs and Degrees
    • Public Health
    • Exercise Science
    • Public Health Minor
    • School Health Education
    • Physical Education Teacher Education

Contact Us

Division of Health & Exercise Science

Jenna Otto

Administrative Program Assistant

Phone: (503) 838-8908

Email: ottoj@wou.edu

The public health degree prepares students to assess a community’s overall health and develop programs that lead to healthier environments and better health for communities and individuals.

Consider this degree if you…

Want to gain a deeper understanding of health

Enjoy working with and helping people

Value making a difference in your community

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.

View Courses in WOU Catalog
View Sample Four-Year Plan
View Required Classes & Prerequisites

Where this degree can take you

This degree will prepare you for entry-level community health and public health education and promotion positions in settings such as public health departments, non-profit agencies, corporations, and hospitals. The Public Health degree could also lay a foundation for advanced degrees in public health, social work, nursing, medicine, and other allied health fields.

Possible job titles

  • Health Navigator
  • Social Services Coordinator
  • Wellness Program Coordinator
  • Prevention Specialist
  • Substance Abuse Educator
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Epidemiologist*
  • Family Nurse Practitioner*

* Require additional schooling

Possible employers

  • State and County Health Departments
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Health Research Companies
  • Hospitals and Health Clinics

Our faculty

DORIS CANCEL-TIRADO

Professor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-8470 | canceltd@wou.edu | RWEC 241

LEANNE CUSACK

Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-9041 | cusackl@wou.edu | RWEC 236

DAN DOWHOWER

Assistant Professor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-9042 | dowhowerd@wou.edu | RWEC 242

AMY HAMMERMEISTER JORDAN

NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-8509 | hammerma@wou.edu | RWEC 234

JANET ROBERTS

NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-8446 | robertsjl@wou.edu | RWEC 231

SHAWN SELLERS

NTT Instructor, and Fabulous, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-8985 | sellerss@wou.edu | RWEC 237

EMILY VALA-HAYNES

Associate Professor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-9256 | valahaynese@wou.edu | RWEC 235

LOREN WISNIEWSKI

NTT Instructor, Health & Exercise Science
503-838-9291 | wisniewl@wou.edu | RWEC 258

This public directory does not include employees who have requested confidentiality. Please use the WOU internal directory to view all employees.

College of Education

Richard Woodcock Education Center

Phone: (503) 838-8471

Email: education@wou.edu

ACADEMIC DIVISIONS

  • Deaf Studies & Professional Studies
  • Education & Leadership
  • Health & Exercise Science

OFFICES AND CENTERS

  • Dean’s Office
  • Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Office of Clinical Practice & Licensure
  • Office of Assessment & Data Management
  • Center for the Advancement of Paraprofessionals
  • Research and Resource Center with Deaf* Communities

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WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

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Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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