Make A Real Change In The Lives Of Hundreds, Thousands – Even Millions – Of People.
Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health program prepares you to identify the causes of disease; understand the principles and practices of health promotion and disease/injury prevention and protection; understand national/international public health issues from historical, social, cultural and scientific perspectives; and integrate knowledge and methods into the practice of public health.
As a public health professional, you’ll work with government officials, advocacy groups, policymakers, schools, health care providers, occupational settings, and community groups toward the common goal of promoting health and well-being and preventing disease.
Through the program’s interdisciplinary nature, you can specialize or add a major or minor based on your individual area of interest and career goals.
Public health was something I did not know about when I came to SU, but after taking one class and loving the course content I knew it was something I wanted to major in!”
Mackenzie “Mac” Watkins ’26 | Biology & Public Health double major
Learn More About This Program
Among the most serious problems facing the American public both now and for many years to come is public health. Despite spending more on healthcare than any other nation in the world, we rank near the bottom on the list of similar, developed nations on all major health indicators.
- An aging population
- Emerging infectious diseases and re-emerging old diseases
- Navigating healthcare providers and treatment options
- Designer medications
- Ever-rising healthcare costs
- Increasing rates of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease
- Threats of bioterrorism
- Delivery of vaccinations and disease prevention to rural and poor population
These factors pose major challenges for healthcare recipients, their families, care providers, and those who pay for services and medications.
What I enjoyed most about studying Public Health at SU were the small class sizes and highly credited faculty that I was able to make close connections with. I enjoyed the smaller classes because I felt heard and my professors always ensured that I was on track and felt supported. There are so many options and paths to take with choosing classes that the opportunities are endless!”
Isabella Morello ’21 | Public Health
Shenandoah University’s College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.
We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.
Minor in This Program
The Public Health minor is well suited to complement a number of other programs at Shenandoah and is particularly recommended for those interested in the health professions. Increasingly, graduate programs are looking for students with a well-rounded public health perspective on clinical medicine.
Declaring A Minor
Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.
Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.
Internship Possibilities
While not required, students are highly encouraged to gain field experience in their junior or senior year in the public health program after the majority of course requirements are completed. Most internships are unpaid, though there are some paid opportunities.
Guidelines for 3-credit internship: PH-490
- Students must obtain their own internship position with guidance and approval by the Program Director before registering for the course
- Acquisition of an in-site mentor/advisor
- At least 120 hours of on-site work
- Written assignments, final paper and presentation graded by the Instructor
- GPA of at least 2.75 to register
Here are some sites where our PH students have interned in the past:
- Lord Fairfax Health Department – Environmental Health Division
- Lord Fairfax Health Department – Health Education programs
- American Red Cross
- ABBA Care of Winchester
- University of Michigan Future Public Health Scholars Program
- Healthy Families of Shenandoah Valley
- Research Assistantships with SU Public Health Faculty
- VA Hospital in Connecticut – Patient Quality Division
- Community Partners and Language Access Program – Valley Health
The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career and Salary Possibilities
What kinds of jobs can I get with a Public Health degree?
Career locations for public health graduates are varied — including government, nonprofits, consulting, and advocacy organizations. Here are some examples of what Shenandoah graduates who majored in public health are doing with their careers:
- Serving as a program assistant with an international health organization
- Carrying out health-related assessments at construction sites
- Working as a research assistant with a nonprofit organization
- Doing consulting work related to disease prevention
- Working at a company that does health communication and health marketing
- Conducting air quality sampling and surveying
- Responding to calls at a West Nile virus hotline
Job titles of Shenandoah graduates who majored in public health include:
- community health educator
- epidemiologist
- biostatistician
- emergency preparedness coordinator
- public health nurse
- health program administrator
- hospital administrator
- health economist
- health communications specialist
- nutritionist
- workplace health promotion director
- international health specialist
- diabetes educator
Salary Examples for Public Health Graduates include:
- Community Health Educator: $42,614
- Epidemiologist: $63,921
- Biostatistician: $61,042
- Public Health Nurse: $56,064
Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
Our program’s small classes and interactive learning environment mean you’ll receive individualized attention from experienced and caring faculty mentors. The flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum is tailored to your interests, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships, medical mission trips and faculty research projects.
The culture of Shenandoah University as a whole is so caring, and that caring environment is also reflected within our public health program. I think what makes our public health program so different is that it allows students to explore unique avenues within the public health field. The professors will always teach the basic foundations of public health, but they also like to tailor some information in a course to topics they know students are really interested in.”
Abigail Pilcher ’21 | Biology & Public Health
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Join the Honors Program
The Honors Program is a multidisciplinary Honors Program for students who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and eager to engage in their education and community.
Not only do Honors Program students partake in honors courses that emphasize collaboration, service, and communication, but they will also have the opportunity to develop aspects of the program based on their own interests and goals. By participating in the Honors Program you will acquire the tools, knowledge and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to your community – whether it be globally, locally, or specific to your life’s work. You will have access to unique courses, exciting experiences and a community of peers and faculty who never stop asking questions and striving for excellence.
I really love being able to take classes with other Honors students. Interacting with similarly driven and committed students in both the Honors seminars and my other academics has truly been one of the most amazing aspects of the Honors Program at SU.
Annika Rodoff ’25 | Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Arts in Dance
Application Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Pre-Health Program at Shenandoah
The Pre-Health Program is designed to help guide students develop as competitive applicants to graduate schools that match their desired profession and their academic and pre-professional profile.
Pre-Health Advising at Shenandoah University consists of in-person advising sessions either in a group or individual setting that seek to provide guidance to students interested in pursuing a career in within the health professions.
Pre-Health Students follow one of these tracks at Shenandoah:
Shenandoah University is deeply connected with the graduate schools here, so in your biology courses there is a focus on how to shape a health professional. So, if you are interested in working in the health professions Shenandoah will be a great fit!”
Justus Whittington ’23 | Biology & Public Health
Public Health Fast-Track to MPH Program (3 + 2)
The Public Health Program offers an accelerated (3 + 2) Bachelor’s + Master’s Degree program to eligible undergraduates.
Students in the 3 +2 program are required to complete coursework toward a graduate degree during their last year of undergraduate studies and complete the remaining requirements during their + 1 year. The program is rigorous and demanding, and is designed to offer high-achieving undergraduate students a quick path to a graduate degree. The MPH program seeks students who demonstrate the potential to be successful in graduate school and who are committed to the public health profession.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.
Public Health Abroad Course Catalog
Meet the Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Isabella Morello ’21 | Public Health
Meet Audra Gollenberg, Department Chair & Professor of Public Health
