College Majors You Might Not Know Exist

August's Major Spotlight: Public Health

Have you ever wondered who decides what belongs in school lunches, how communities respond to disease outbreaks, or how cities make drinking water safe? That's the work of Public Health. It's a field focused on preventing illness, improving access to care, and helping entire communities thrive.

Students in Public Health programs blend science with policy, research, education, and communication. They take courses in areas like biology, epidemiology, nutrition, statistics, environmental health, and health policy while learning how to improve the health and well-being of entire populations.

This major could be a great fit for students who:

Enjoy science but aren't sure they want to become a doctor
Care about helping others and making a difference
Like solving big-picture problems

Graduates can go on to work in healthcare, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, research institutions, hospitals, global health organizations, and more. Their work helps prevent disease, improve access to care, and create healthier communities.

Where Can You Study Public Health?

Whether you're looking for a large public university or a private college, there are wonderful options to explore. Here are just a few examples.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: A great fit for students who are interested in research, policy, and improving health on a community or global scale. UNC is home to one of the nation's most respected schools of public health.

San Diego State University: A great fit for students who want to get out of the classroom and into the community. Students work with local organizations, schools, and health agencies while gaining hands-on experience through internships and community-based projects.

Tulane University: A great fit for students who believe learning should go hand in hand with service. Tulane is known for its commitment to community engagement, giving students countless opportunities to work on public health initiatives throughout New Orleans and beyond.

Emily's Take!

I love that Public Health allows students to combine science with service. It's a wonderful option for students who want to improve people's lives but aren't necessarily interested in treating patients one at a time. Instead, they're thinking about how to make entire communities healthier. That's a pretty incredible impact to have.

Have a major you're curious about? I'd love to feature it in a future College Majors You Might Not Know Exist spotlight.