To understand the root causes of poor health and health inequities then use that information to improve communities today and into the future — that’s public health. Here, you'll develop the skills and knowledge to make a real difference.
What is public health?
In public health, we're dedicated to improving health and well-being for entire communities.
Professionals in the field often investigate why people’s health is harmed or threatened in the first place and seek solutions to keep that from happening again.
Vaccines, clean water, tobacco-free environments, regulations to keep workers safe, and an understanding of why cancer, diabetes and other diseases disproportionately harm some populations are all the result of public health.
Why is public health a good major?
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Ohio State’s College of Public Health is an excellent major for people interested in health, understanding why people may get sick, tackling health inequities and developing ways to improve the health of whole populations.
Here's what current students and recent alumni have to say about majoring in public health.
Current students and alumni share their experiences in public health
“Our physical health doesn’t exist in a vacuum and there are a lot of other factors that can play into whether someone is healthy or not. That’s what I appreciate most about public health.”
“The thing that surprised me most about this major is how close-knit and tight it is with everyone. My advisor knows my name. She knows the things I tell her. She's not just an advisor, but someone who's really looking out for you. ”
“What surprised me most about studying public health is how personal it is. I expected to learn about diseases and statistics, but I've also learned about the social and environmental factors that shape people's health everyday.”
What kinds of jobs can you get with a public health degree?
No matter what career lies ahead, the BSPH prepares you with the skills for a variety of exciting jobs including:
- Consultant
- Community Health Worker
- Environmental Health Worker
- Health Analyst
- Health Educator
- Health Promotion Program Coordinator
- Laboratory Scientist
- Medical Writer
- Public Health Advisor
- Public Health Nutritionist
A BSPH also sets you up for continuing education in public health and other fields, including law and public policy. And it offers you a competitive advantage when applying to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.
A holistic education in public health equips you with both the knowledge of how health is affected by where people live, work and play, and the hard sciences prerequisites you need to succeed.
What public health programs are available at Ohio State?
The primary undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
There are also opportunities for qualified students to combine the BSPH with a Master of Public Health and earn both degrees in five years.
Public health minors are also available — in epidemiology, global public health and public health and the arts — to help you develop the expertise required to address today’s complex health challenges.
Start your path to public health
Connect with a College of Public Health advisor to see how the BSPH aligns with your career aspirations.