Public Health Major
Public Health is the study of how to protect and improve the health of populations. It is a major within Health & Medicine.
Public health is the study of how to protect and improve the health of entire populations and communities, rather than treating individual patients. It focuses on understanding what factors affect whether people get sick or stay well—including things like access to clean water, nutrition, air quality, disease spread, and healthcare availability. Public health professionals ask questions such as how to prevent disease outbreaks, reduce smoking rates in a community, improve maternal health, or address health problems that affect certain groups more than others. The field draws on research, data analysis, and communication skills to develop and carry out programs and policies aimed at keeping populations healthy.
Students in public health typically begin by studying foundational sciences and social sciences—biology, chemistry, statistics, and concepts from sociology and economics. As the major progresses, students learn specialized methods like epidemiology (the study of disease patterns), biostatistics, and environmental health science. The curriculum then moves toward applied work, where students apply these tools to real-world public health challenges through projects, internships, and case studies. Many programs emphasize teamwork and communication, since public health work requires collaborating across different fields and explaining findings to diverse audiences.
Typical coursework
Course requirements vary by school, but a Public Health program commonly includes topics such as:
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health policy
- Environmental health
- Global health
- Community health
Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.
Degree levels
Public Health is commonly offered at these levels:
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).
Common career directions
Graduates with a Public Health background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:
- Public health analyst
- Epidemiologist
- Health educator
- Program coordinator
Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.
General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.
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Find degree programs →Frequently asked questions
What is a Public Health major?
Public Health is the study of how to protect and improve the health of populations. It is part of health & medicine, and combines foundational coursework with more focused study as you advance.
What courses do Public Health majors take?
Coursework varies by school, but commonly includes topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, and others, plus general-education requirements.
What can you do with a Public Health major?
Graduates pursue a range of paths, including roles such as public health analyst, epidemiologist, health educator. Many roles require additional steps such as a graduate degree, license, or certification. This is general information, not a guarantee of any job or salary.
What degree levels is Public Health offered at?
It is commonly offered at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral level, though availability varies by institution.