Public Health
Overview
Do you want to make a difference? Our graduates directly enter into careers that address health disparities, illness, injuries and premature deaths. Others continue their education in graduate and professional programs including public health, epidemiology, healthcare administration, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.
Want to connect with us on social media and learn more about our program? Search SIUEpublichealth on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @siue.publichealth.
Both the Bachelor of Science in Public Health and the Master of Public Health degree programs in the Public Health Program at SIUE are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (202) 789-1050. The next accreditation site visit will take place by December 31, 2027.
Why public health?
Public health professionals focus on preventing health problems by:
- Promote healthy behaviors, social and physical environments
- Conduct health promotion and education campaigns
- Improve health policies
- Monitor and prevent the spread of diseases
- Use data to improve the health of communities
In essence, public health focuses on the four "Ps":
- Prevention
- Promotion
- Protection
- Population health
Want to learn more about public health? Watch this short video.
What can I do with a degree in public health?
Lots! There is a high demand and sometimes our students work in public health even while they are completing their degree (e.g. community health worker, patient navigator). Better than telling you what you can do with the degree, here are jobs that our most recent alums are doing within a year following graduation.
Recent graduates have been hired into these positions:
- Community Education Instructor
- Community Health Specialist
- Consumer Safety Inspector
- Emergency Med Clerkship Coord
- Environmental Health Specialist I
- Health Educator
- Health Navigator
- Helpline Agent
- OB-GYN Researcher
- Occupational Health and
Safety Specialist - Patient Access Representative
- Patient Registration Specialist
- Public Health Administrator II
- Research Associate
Recent graduates have been hired by these organizations and businesses:
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Amazon
- BJC
- Carle Hospital
- Chestnut Health Systems
- Chicago Department of
Public Health - Lawrence County
Health Department - North Shore University
Health Systems - Peoria City/County
Health Department - Planned Parenthood
- Saint Louis University
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- SIU School of Medicine
- USDA
- Washington University School
of Medicine
The Bachelor of Science in public health (BSPH) is a desirable foundation for further graduate or professional programs, including:
- Nursing
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare Management and Administration
- Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Master of Public Health at SIUE
Public Health Career Videos
Hands-on Learning
Why wait to get experience? Starting with service-learning opportunities in their first class and ending with an internship, our students have multiple opportunities to work in the field of public health prior to graduation.
Internships
Public health students have the opportunity to merge their academic knowledge with practical professional experience while earning academic credit. Students explore and clarify professional goals, acquire new skills and develop professional networks within their chosen area. Recent internships include the Illinois Public Health Association; Call for Help; SIU School of Medicine; and the St. Louis Area Food Bank.
Service-Learning and Community Health Projects
Beginning with the first class for our majors, public health students connect with area agencies and organizations to see public health in action.
All seniors plan a public health program for a community as their senior project. Examples of previous projects include:
- Hypertension education, Casa de Salud, St. Louis
- COVID vaccine hesitancy, East St. Louis
- African-American infant and maternal mortality, multiple communities
- Vicarious trauma, Call for Help, Inc.
Global Experiences
The program offers faculty-led travel study courses that examine various aspects of public health, life, culture, and the geopolitical climate in other countries or culturally diverse areas. Potential areas of examination and service could include:
- Vector-borne illnesses
- Environmental sustainability
- Environmental education and programming
- Disaster response and relief
- Community development
- Health and wellness education
All international opportunities are offered for credit and some may be completed as internships.
Learn more about travel study opportunities on the Department of Applied Health website.
Student Groups and Professional Organizations
Eta Sigma Gamma
Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG) is the national health education honorary society which consists of more than 80 chapters at different colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. The goals of EGS include:
- Supporting the planning, implementation and evaluation of health education programs and resources
- Stimulating and disseminating scientific research
- Recognizing academic achievement
- Supporting health education advocacy initiatives
- Promoting professional standards and ethics
Membership is open to public health majors or minors who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or above.
SIUE Gamma Delta Chapter of ESG
Membership requirements of SIUE's Gamma Delta chapter of ESG:
- Pay an initiation fee of $50
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.7
- Attend chapter meetings
- Participate in a chapter fundraiser
- Participate in at least 15 service hours each semester or 30 hours per year
- Past events include:
- World AIDS Day
- SIUE Health Brigade Day
- Thanksgiving canned food drive
- Condom distribution event at local Edwardsville bars
- Local and university wellness fairs
- Past events include:
Members who meet all membership requirements are eligible to wear their green and gold honor cords at commencement ceremonies.
Faculty
