Program · Major

Public Health, B.S.

DegreeB.S.
TypeMajor

The Public Health major provides a rigorous, interdisciplinary foundation for students interested in pursuing careers in public health.

The Science of Wellness

Public Health is the science and practice of promoting health and wellbeing in communities and to specific populations. This happens through initiatives like providing health education, encouraging preventive medicine and monitoring, and the control of communicable diseases and environmental hazards.

Through internships, on-site practicums and mentoring relationships, Guilford's Public Health majors are exposed to the real-world challenges confronting public health professionals. Working in collaborative groups, these students learn to design and test initiatives using a multidisciplinary approach.

The Public Health curriculum includes nine core courses that provide foundational knowledge and training. In addition, based on the students’ interests and career goals, majors may choose four additional courses from one of three possible tracks:

  • Natural Science, Disease and Environment
  • Social Science, Health and Behavior
  • Organizations, Business and Health Policy

Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in health education and public health. They will also have the preparation they need to enter graduate programs in a number of disciplines, including public health, clinical health professions, law, business and international affairs.

Internship Ideas

N.C. Department of Health, Center for New North Carolinians, Every Campus a Refuge

Alumni Careers and Graduate Schools

UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro

College Catalog

For more information about courses within the Public Health Major, visit the Academic Departments and Majors page in the College Catalog. For more information about courses within the Public Health Minor, visit the Minors page in the College Catalog. In addition to the Undergraduate Catalog, information includes academic department and major information as well as academic regulations and resources; admission standards and requirements; and tuition, fees and financial aid information.

Hands-on Learning

Public Health is an interdisciplinary major with numerous opportunities for student-centered, experiential learning, including:

  • Public heath internships with government and nonprofit agencies
  • Service learning and community engagement opportunities through the Bonner Center, as well as partnerships with numerous community organizations
  • Individual and community-based, participatory research opportunities with faculty mentors, including senior theses
  • Group projects in course-based undergraduate research experiences
  • Forums and informal discussions with practitioners in the field
  • Study abroad opportunities
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