About this Program
According to the American Public Health Association, public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Public Health prepares graduates to practice in a variety of sites, such as public health departments, nonprofit agencies, hospitals, businesses, and educational institutions. Our faculty, staff, and students work as a team to develop professional, caring leaders who are committed to protecting and promoting the health of individuals, families, and communities.
This degree offers students many learning and leadership opportunities:
- Positive learning environment that promotes community support and excellence
- Involvement in student groups and professional organizations
- Hands-on community-based learning experiences
- Assistantship opportunities in research, teaching, lab management, communication, and event coordination
- Work with peers and community members of diverse backgrounds
- Internship experience in real-world settings
- Study abroad opportunities
The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Public Health at the University of Minnesota Duluth is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Students are prepared to develop, implement, administer, and evaluate health education programs that promote health and prevent disease. Students with this degree are qualified to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Graduates are prepared to:
- practice in a range of community settings (e.g., schools, voluntary health agencies, public health departments, hospitals, corporate work sites, and businesses)
- pursue graduate education (such as master's degrees in public health, health education, psychology, environmental health & safety)
- seek professional school training (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, dental hygiene)
- earn related certifications in their fields of interest (e.g., certified health education specialist, certified health coach)
Acquired Skills
- Students will gain experiential understanding of areas of responsibility of a health education specialist through active learning.
- Effectively communicate through several mediums including oral, written, and multimedia.
- Understand theories and research used in health education.
- Work with diverse people in determining their needs for public health programming.
- Develop health literacy skills, which include the ability to access, understand, appraise, apply, and advocate for health information and services in order to maintain or enhance one's own health and the health of others.
Career Possibilities
Entry-level positions:
- Public Health Education Specialist
- Health Educator, Health Coach, or Patient Educator
- Workplace Wellness Coordinator
- Health Marketing/Communication Director
- County/State Public Health Worker
- Public Health Intervention Planner/Evaluator
Advanced Degrees in:
- Community Health, Maternal/Child Health
- Epidemiology and Statistics
- Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy
- Public Health Administration
- Environmental Health & Safety
Admissions and Scholarships
Public Health students have the ability to apply for scholarships specific to their major and college.
The UMD Picture your Passion Scholarship promotes diversity among UMD students by assisting non-traditional students in returning to school and by assisting health education students desiring internships abroad. This scholarship was created by Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D., MCHES, faculty in public health at UMD, who began it with proceeds from the sales of her fine art photography prints and continues through the generosity of donors.
Students in CEHSP are eligible for more than 100 scholarships each academic year typically totaling $370,000 annually. For more information on scholarship opportunities, visit the CEHSP scholarship webpage.
Faculty Highlights
- Actively conduct research in integrative medicine use, arts & health, health disparities, substance use, obesity prevention, maternal-child health, American Indian health, and rural health, collaborative online international learning, and health coaching.
- Research grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Healthy Foods Health Lives Institute, and the St. Luke’s Foundation.
- Engage undergraduate students in research that results in national and international publications and presentations.
- Active in international, national, and regional research that is both interdisciplinary and engages the community.
- Leaders in collaborative online international learning (COIL) with partners in the United Kingdom and Uganda.
- Lead short-term international study abroad trips about holistic health and healing in the United Kingdom and the history of community health through arts and culture in Italy.
- Support undergraduate student research efforts through the competitive Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Promoting Diversity in Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (PDURS) Program, and the UMD Honors program.