This program will begin in Fall 2025.
Public health professionals are vital to our nation’s health. Public health promotes and protects the health of all people and their communities. By focusing on the social determinants of health, public health focuses on the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.
Public health professionals use specific skills and knowledge to complement and support other healthcare providers, policy makers, and other professionals who are devoted to improving human health. Public health professionals work in a variety of settings including business/industry, hospitals, clinics, health plans, public health departments at all levels of government, nonprofit and volunteer organizations, schools, and universities.
The Public Health major at the University of Scranton is rooted in the Jesuit liberal arts tradition. Curricula includes a unique blend of behavioral, social, and multidisciplinary courses which support critical public health domains. In their junior year students, can choose one of the 3 public health tracks: Health Promotion, Healthcare Management, or Generalist. Students can also utilize cognate, general and free electives in a concentrated area to pursue a concentration or minor in an area of interest (i.e., Counseling and Human Services, Health Administration, Human Development, Kinesiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Spanish and Communications). Electives can also be used in preparation for graduate health professional programs in Public Health, Health Administration, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Speech Therapy, Social Work, Nutrition, and Physician Assistant.
Students will be educated to embody the spirit of “men and women for others,” and encouraged to address issues of social justice and sustainability. Students will develop creative and interpersonal skills to be adept writers, good listeners and speakers. Emphasis will be placed on building skills to work with diverse populations by learning about cultural differences and health disparities.
Students will be required to complete an internship and community-based learning projects in a variety of public health–related organizations and agencies in the community. The practical experience you gain will deepen and refine your understanding of public health. Students are required to submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and immunization record. Students whose primary residence is out of state may also be required to submit an FBI background check. Copies of these clearances and immunization records must be maintained to meet internship and community-based learning requirements. Graduating Health Promotion majors must possess a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 and a grade point average of 2.5 or higher within the major.
Students will earn a bachelor’s degree which is generally a minimum requirement for entry-level public health professionals. Some entry-level positions may require or prefer to hire those who hold certifications in the field. The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) designation is offered by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing. Students may qualify to take the CHES® certification exam after earning their degree in health promotion. Students may also qualify for other certifications through Wellcoaches® such as the Certified Health and Wellness Coach and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Physical Activity Society (NPAS) specialty credential as a Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist.
Course Information
Courses for Public Health are listed under the prefixes HPRO. For more information on these and all courses offered, visit our Public Health Courses page.