Public Health practitioners work toward improving the health and well-being of individuals, populations and communities. They have a significant influence on overall quality of life in a variety of ways. Public health practitioners may help design and implement programs related to making healthier choices, such as stopping smoking and exercising more. They help deliver screening and prevention programs to counteract disease, work on local, regional and national wellness campaigns and look for solutions that provide underserved segments of society with better access to health care.
“This major allows you to discover health from so many perspectives.”
— Krystal Buttitta '21
Read Krystal's story
About the Public Health Major
Helping People Lead Better Lives Through Healthier Choices
Public health practitioners focus on keeping people healthy. Their goal is to prevent illness and injury and encourage behaviors that are beneficial to health and well-being. They do so through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk. Public health practitioners improve and enhance our quality of life in ways both large and small—from implementing vaccination programs to educating people about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse to advocating for public policy that promotes a safer and healthier society for everyone.
We also explore global issues such as the critical links between public health and social and economic development. You’ll learn about the public policy making process in regard to public health and how environmental risks such as air and water quality, food safety, vector-borne diseases and pesticides impact individuals and communities.
Public Health Is a Growing Field That Provides a Career with Choice, Flexibility and Impact
The core segments of public health include:
- Health Services Administration: Working in leadership and management to develop and implement programming designed to create positive health outcomes or respond to concerns in times of crisis
- Biostatistics: Using statistics to interpret scientific data related to public health
- Epidemiology: Understanding how and why diseases spread and applying that knowledge toward preventative strategies
- Behavioral Sciences/Health Education: Developing wellness and other educational programming that encourages people to adopt healthier lifestyles and make better choices
- Environmental Health Sciences: Exploring how factors such as indoor and outdoor pollution and water quality affect health
Students in the public health major become eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. NCHEC's voluntary professional certification program establishes a national standard for individual health education practitioners. Health educators are professionals who design, conduct and evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people.
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![Public Health CEPH Certification logo]()
Carroll University's undergraduate public health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH assures that public health programs provide quality education and training through collaboration with organizational and community partners. Graduates of CEPH-accredited programs excel in practice, research and service.
Click here to request a copy of the CEPH accreditation report.
In addition to the major, Carroll offers a Public Health minor that complements many areas of study.
Field Experience/Internships
We help you build real world experience, explore careers and network with professionals through internship opportunities. Recent placements include the following companies:
- Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
- American Lung Association
- Hunger Task Force
- Eras Senior Network
- Waukesha Free Clinic
- Hayat Pharmacy
- Prevent Blindness Wisconsin
- Medical College of Wisconsin: Global Health Program
- James Place
- National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin
- United Community Center
- Greenfield Health Department
- Center of Concern
- Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin
- Hamdard Health Center
- Pediatric Psychology Associates, LLC & Autism Behavior Network (ABN)
- Sheboygan County Health and Human Services
- Waukesha County Public Health Division
Careers
College is a big investment in a bright future. Learn more about the industries and careers our majors pursue, and the workplaces and experiences of the alumni from our program. See where yours may take you.
“The public health curriculum has prepared me to work in a variety of settings.”
— Abigail Lukens '20
Read Abigail's story