public health students in discussion

Public Health Education Degree

Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education (B.S.P.H.E.)

Educate the public about healthy practices to improve wellness and quality of life.

Study at North Dakota's only Public Health degree program. Graduate qualified to serve the public in community health clinics, hospitals, government agencies, schools, and other organizations.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why earn a public health degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

The Public Health Education program is based on a strong foundation in the health sciences, social sciences and psychology. You'll think critically and scientifically, while enhancing communication skills and leadership experiences with a focus on social justice. You will be exposed to the ethical principles of public health practice in your work with diverse populations.

Public health students experience:

  • Applied learning. All students complete a 12-credit internship, engage in service-learning projects, and are encouraged to participate in public health study abroad opportunities.
  • Flexibility and convenience. Earn your public health degree online or on-campus.
  • Opportunities for advancement. Earn both your undergraduate and graduate degrees at UND in just five years.

You'll study core areas of public health including:

  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Health policy and management

You'll have the option to choose a path that allows you to serve the broader public or one that prepares you to teach health education in schools. Advanced skills in health communication may also prove beneficial to students with graduate and professional interests in medicine, nursing and allied health.

UND's Public Health Education Degree

  • Learn the principles of evidence-based public health and key elements such as health communications, health policy, law, and ethics.

  • Understand how community health programs are developed and implemented.

  • Apply skills and knowledge in a supervised internship and service-learning projects.

  • The major accommodates pre-professional students in areas such as pharmacy, optometry, medicine, and dentistry.

  • 100% of our graduates who apply to graduate school are accepted. 

  • Become eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Exam after completing the program. 

What can you do with a public health degree?

78K

Median salary for epidemiologists, 2021

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

12%

Job growth outlook for health educators and community health workers through 2031

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The value of public health educators to society has been highlighted significantly with the COVID-19 pandemic. As researchers and educators, we play a critical role in preparing the next generation of public health problem solvers. 

The B.S. in Public Health Education will allow you to pursue careers in:

  • Community, rural and global health
  • Environmental health
  • Epidemiology
  • Health informatics, economics and biostatistics
  • Health policy and health planning and assessment
  • Health promotion
  • Health services research
  • Maternal and child health
  • Nutrition
  • Public health education, including teaching health in schools
  • Wellness program management

Public health practitioners work in a variety of settings such as community health clinics, hospitals, community centers and nonprofit organizations. They also work in corporate and work site wellness programs.

Another career option is local or state health departments, or local parks and recreation departments that run health and wellness programs.

Public Health Degree Jobs

UND Public Health Education graduates have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • 2u, Inc.
  • Altru Health System
  • Centura Health Corporation
  • District Health Department
  • Essentia Health

Public Health Degree Skills

A Public Health Education degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • CPR
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Grant Writing
  • Project Management

Public Health Education Degree Courses

PHE 304. Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare public health educators to plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs that are context sensitive, culturally relevant, and technologically appropriate to the setting, the population of potential learners, and the resources available. Additionally, concepts and theories essential to program evaluation are highlighted. Prerequisites: Public Health Education major, PHE 101, and PHE 301. S.

PHE 307. Methods and Materials of Health Education. 3 Credits.

Principles and application of methodology for educating about health; learning styles; development of computer-generated learning materials; selection, utilization, and evaluation of resources. Prerequisite: PHE 101. F.

PHE 303. Organization and Administration of Community Health Programs. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with the basic principles of the organization and administration of health programs; leadership skills; grant writing. Prerequisite: PHE 101. S.

PHE 305. Research Methods in Kinesiology & Public Health Education. 3 Credits.

This course will engage students to understand and evaluate research in kinesiology and public health education. Quantitative and qualitative research methodology will be discussed. Prerequisites: Public Health Education or Kinesiology Major, PHE 101, and PHE 102. S.

PHE 415. Public Health Internship. 1-12 Credits.

A supervised practical experience designed to provide the student the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned through their public health coursework. Prerequisites: Public Health Education major, PHE 301,PHE 302, PHE 303, PHE 304, PHE 305, PHE 306, and PHE 307. Repeatable to 12.00 credits. S/U grading. F,S,SS.

PHE 306. Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 3 Credits.

An introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics in public health. Prerequisites: Public Health Education Major, PHE 101, PHE 102 and MATH 103. S.

Leaders in Public Health

Madison Wahlen is a graduate from the Public Health Education program at UND, and is currently completing the requirements for a dual M.D. and Ph.D.

Read Madison's Story

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