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Health Sciences

College of Education and Professional Studies

Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Population Health Specialization

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.  

Student contact tracing“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

  Fall Winter Spring
Junior

PUBH 230
PUBH 240
PUBH 250
PUBH 324 

PUBH 380
PUBH 317
PSYCH 362
PUBH 320  

PUBH 375
PUBH 311
Elective (x2)

Senior

PUBH 445
PUBH 470
Elective (x2)

PUBH Capstone
Elective (x2)

PUBH 460
PUBH 499
PUBH 422
Elective

*Electives may be taken in Summer Quarter in desired

 

       
Junior

Winter:
PUBH 230
PUBH 240
PUBH 317
PSYCH 362

Spring:
PUBH 375
PUBH 311
Elective (x2)

Summer:
PUBH 380
PUBH 320
Elective

Senior

Fall:
PUBH 445
PUBH 470
PUBH 250
PUBH 324

Winter:

PUBH 422
PUBH Capstone
Elective (x2)

Spring:

PUBH 460
PUBH 488
Elective (x2)

 

  Fall Winter Spring

Junior

PUBH 230
PUBH 240
PUBH 250
PUBH 324 

PUBH 380
PUBH 317
PSYCH 362
Elective 

PUBH 375
PUBH 311
Elective (x2) 

Senior

PUBH 445
PUBH 470
Elective (x2)

PUBH 320
PUBH 422
PUBH Capstone 

PUBH 460
PUBH 499
Elective (x2)

*Electives may be taken in Summer Quarter in desired


Contact Information

Dr. Melody Madlem
Master of Public Health and Undergraduate Public Health Program Director
Office: 302-R  Extension: 1971
Melody.Madlem@cwu.edu

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