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School of Public Health

Public Health Sciences, BS

Public health professionals improve and protect the health of people and communities by helping to prevent illness and injuries, promoting wellness and safety, encouraging healthy behaviors, tracking disease outbreaks, and researching health inequities.

In this program, you will gain knowledge and experience in public health principles, epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, emergency preparedness, public health policy formulation and analysis, and project management.

If you want to make a difference by improving and protecting the health and well-being of the people around you, this major is for you.

Your Degree Plan

People visiting tables at the Fort Martin Health Fair
Public health promotes and protects the health of people in the communities where they live, learn, work, and play.
Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Accelerated BS/MPH Program

Public Health Sciences offers the option to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in an accelerated time frame.

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Dynamic advising, small class sizes, and extracurricular activities.
  • Only accredited school of public health in West Virginia.
  • Unique opportunities to study first-hand public health issues in the center of Appalachia, a region with a history of health disparity and heavy industry.
  • Faculty collaborate on national and international research and service projects that provide valuable opportunities for students.
  • Faculty specialty areas include cardiovascular health, diabetes self-management, occupational injuries, environmental exposures, mindfulness, childhood obesity, violence and injury prevention, food insecurities, and substance abuse.
  • 1 of only 67 schools of public health to receive national accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health.
  • 1 of 5 schools housed at WVU Health Sciences. WVU is among the few institutions nationwide that support medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy care, as well as advanced medical research and education.
  • Established in 2012, the School of Public Health was the first new school at WVU in 50 years.
  • The School of Public Health has a long history of collaborating with agencies and organizations at the local, state, national, and international level.
  • School of Public Health students take 2 career preparation courses and complete a required internship. Our in-house career development office offers 1-on-1 career counseling among other resources, such as a dedicated public health job board and networking opportunities.
  • 93% of Public Health grads are working in their field or continuing their education.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Every public health sciences student is required to complete an applied field placement in a local or regional agency or institution where they can put their classroom lessons to work. All students engage with community partners, gain experience in the workplace, and demonstrate acquisition of competencies.

Partner organizations include:

  • American Heart Association
  • Child advocacy centers
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Libera, Inc.
  • Local health departments
  • Mon Health Medical Center
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  • Pantry Plus More
  • Peak Health
  • West Virginia Area Health Education Centers
  • West Virginia Bureau for Public Health
  • West Virginia Perinatal Partnership
  • WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities
  • WVU Health Affairs Institute
  • WVU Medicine
Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $49,495

Possible Job Titles: Environmental Health Officer (EHO), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Sanitarian, Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician)

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Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $117,960

Possible Job Titles: Clinical Director, Health Information Management Director (HIM Director), Health Information Manager (HIM Manager), Nursing Director

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Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

Median Salary: $86,130

Possible Job Titles: Emergency Management Director, Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director), Emergency Planner, Public Safety Director

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Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

Median Salary: $78,420

Possible Job Titles: Enforcement Officer, Environmental Inspector, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Quality Analyst

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Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $103,300

Possible Job Titles: Biometrician, Biostatistician, Research Scientist, Statistical Scientist

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Epidemiologists

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $83,980

Possible Job Titles: Epidemiologist, Infection Control Practitioner (ICP), Nurse Epidemiologist, Research Epidemiologist

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Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $80,060

Possible Job Titles: Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist

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Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $83,910

Possible Job Titles: Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Consultant, Safety Specialist

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Health Education Specialists

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $63,000

Possible Job Titles: Clinical Instructor, Health Education Specialist, Health Educator, Public Health Educator

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Where graduates are working

  • State public health agencies
  • Healthcare providers
  • Local and regional health departments
  • National and global health organizations
  • Emergency preparedness and management agencies
  • Disaster response agencies
  • Managed care organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Environmental agencies
  • Occupational health and safety organization
  • Nonprofit organizations

Areas of graduate study

Graduates have pursued advanced degrees in:

  • Public Health
  • Health Administration
  • Epidemiology
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Social Work
  • Occupational Therapy
  • And more

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Public Health Sciences major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Public Health Sciences at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Public Health Sciences, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about Public Health Sciences at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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