FASTFACTS

  • Dive into an interdisciplinary curriculum that spans biology, economics, philosophy, psychology, public policy, and sociology, preparing you for a multifaceted view of health issues.
  • Start with core courses in U.S. public health policy and epidemiology to build a solid base of knowledge.
  • Customize your learning experience with 12 to 13 hours of elective coursework tailored to your interests and career aspirations.
  • Combined with an appropriate major, graduates find opportunities in diverse fields such as dentistry, environmental studies, health education, medicine, nursing, nutritional science, and more.
  • Careers in the fields related to this minor can earn between $35,000 to over $120,000 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Alumni of the program have gone on to high-impact roles at prestigious organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CACI International, and the National Institutes of Health.
  • Ideal for students planning careers in health-related fields, adding valuable public health knowledge to their professional skill set.
  • Engage in courses that not only teach theoretical knowledge but also offer practical skills in data analytics, medical ethics, and more, to prepare you for real-world challenges.

WHAT YOU’LL STUDY

You must complete 18-19 hours of coursework to earn a minor in public health policy. Two foundational courses are required; Public Health (PUBH) 329 provides students a broad understanding of the structure and dynamics of U.S. public health policy, and Public Health (PUBH) 201 introduces students to the principles of epidemiology to support population-based and community-health assessment and evaluation.

With a firm foundation in public health policy, you’ll then select 12 to 13 hours with courses in:

  • Biology
  • Economics/business administration
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Public policy
  • Sociology

Courses like Data Analytics I, Medical Ethics, and Lifespan Development show the range of topics you can study when you minor in public health policy. 

MORE INFORMATION

  • CO = Co-requisite
  • CO = Co-requisite
  • POI = Permissions of Instructor
  • PR = Pre-requisite
  • RE = Recommended
  • XL = Cross-listed

CAREER OUTCOMES

The public health policy minor at PC helps pre-professional students acquire public health knowledge that complements their career paths. If you’re planning to pursue a career in something other than public health, you can also benefit from public health knowledge as you deliver services. A few examples of these career fields include:

  • dentistry
  • environmental studies
  • health education
  • medicine
  • nursing
  • nutritional science
  • occupational therapy
  • physician assistant
  • psychology

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, individuals in these career fields made between $35,000 to more than $120,000 a year.

Several PC graduates have gone on to successful careers in the field. A few include:

  • Zach Braden ’01, Deputy Director of Management and Operations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Shelley Whitehead ’11, Senior Entomologist at Manatee County Mosquito Control
  • Emily Witt ’13, Public Health Analyst, CACI International, Previously with CDC
  • Courtney Bell Wood ’06, Management Analyst, National Institutes of Health

CAREER PROFESSIONS

  • Dentistry
  • Environmental Studies
  • Health Education
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Nutritional Science
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Psychology

FACULTY

Dr. Ben Bailey

Associate Professor of Political Science

View Bio

Dr. Jim Thompson

Professor of Philosophy

View Bio

Dr. Rachel Childers

Assoc. Professor of Economics and Business Administration

View Bio