About our Population Health Specialization

A bachelor's degree in public health equips you with the skills needed to be a successful public health professional, and also prepares you for further study in master's or doctorate programs. Our program aims to educate and empower the emerging generation of public health leaders. 

Population health focuses on the distribution of health across different communities. Understanding issues and situations that harm people’s potential for health, well-being, and quality of life enables public health professionals to develop effective strategies to improve outcomes.  

“All of the project work that we have students do are items that I hope they are putting on their resumes. Even if it’s coursework—if you’re writing a grant proposal, you’re writing a real grant proposal. If you’re conducting contact tracing, that’s real contact tracing. If you’ve done it here, you’ve done it, period.” 
-Dr. Amie Wojtyna, Public Health

Why specialize in Population Health at CWU?

The public health major focuses on preventing disease, addressing inequities, and developing policies and programs that help communities achieve optimal health and well-being. Graduates of this program prioritize upstream approaches to health for all.

You will have the opportunity to undertake internships and other practical experiences in Washington, around the region, and around the world. Our graduates go on to work in public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporations. Many pursue graduate programs in public health and other disciplines, including law and social work, as well as medicine and other health professions. 

Program Highlights

Where is this program offered?

Ellensburg
Online

Hybrid/Flex

How much does this program cost?

Find out how much this program costs through the registrar

Community Response Lab

The CWU Public Health Program operates a Community Response Lab focused on emerging research and best practices in response to the needs of rural communities in the Pacific Northwest region.

Careers and Outcomes

Our Public Health Major, with its specialization in population health, will prepare you for jobs in health-related fields. Career pathways include: 

• Washington ranked #1 in top paying states for Postsecondary Health Specialties educators, with an average wage of $167,290
• Social and Community Service Manager, average annual wage for a Community Health Worker: $47,780
• Public Health Specialist, average annual wage: $64,930. Olympia-Tumwater, WA area ranked #2 in Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs for this profession
• Healthcare Consultant 
• Survey Statistician 

If you are interested in continuing your education in a health-related field, find more information about Health Careers 

Degree Information

For information regarding admission requirements, required and elective courses, please reference the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog

Recommended Four-Year Plan