Among the most serious problems facing the American public both now and for many years to come is public health. Despite spending more on healthcare than any other nation in the world, we rank near the bottom on the list of similar, developed nations on all major health indicators.

• An aging population
• Emerging infectious diseases and re-emerging old diseases
• Navigating healthcare providers and treatment options
• Designer medications
• Ever-rising healthcare costs
• Increasing rates of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease
• Threats of bioterrorism
• Delivery of vaccinations and disease prevention to rural and poor population

These factors pose major challenges for healthcare recipients, their families, care providers, and those who pay for services and medications.

What I enjoyed most about studying Public Health at SU were the small class sizes and highly credited faculty that I was able to make close connections with. I enjoyed the smaller classes because I felt heard and my professors always ensured that I was on track and felt supported. There are so many options and paths to take with choosing classes that the opportunities are endless!”

Isabella Morello ’21 | Public Health

Shenandoah University’s College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.

We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.

The Public Health minor is well suited to complement a number of other programs at Shenandoah and is particularly recommended for those interested in the health professions. Increasingly, graduate programs are looking for students with a well-rounded public health perspective on clinical medicine.

Declaring A Minor

Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.

Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.

While not required, students are highly encouraged to gain field experience in their junior or senior year in the public health program after the majority of course requirements are completed.  Most internships are unpaid, though there are some paid opportunities.

Guidelines for 3-credit internship: PH-490

• Students must obtain their own internship position with guidance and approval by the Program Director before registering for the course
• Acquisition of an in-site mentor/advisor
• At least 120 hours of on-site work
• Written assignments, final paper and presentation graded by the Instructor
• GPA of at least 2.75 to register

Here are some sites where our PH students have interned in the past:

• Lord Fairfax Health Department – Environmental Health Division
• Lord Fairfax Health Department – Health Education programs
• American Red Cross
• ABBA Care of Winchester
• University of Michigan Future Public Health Scholars Program
• Healthy Families of Shenandoah Valley
• Research Assistantships with SU Public Health Faculty
• VA Hospital in Connecticut – Patient Quality Division
• Community Partners and Language Access Program – Valley Health

The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.

Career & Professional Development at Shenandoah

What kinds of jobs can I get with a Public Health degree?

Career locations for public health graduates are varied — including government, nonprofits, consulting, and advocacy organizations. Here are some examples of what Shenandoah graduates who majored in public health are doing with their careers:

• Serving as a program assistant with an international health organization
• Carrying out health-related assessments at construction sites
• Working as a research assistant with a nonprofit organization
• Doing consulting work related to disease prevention
• Working at a company that does health communication and health marketing
• Conducting air quality sampling and surveying
• Responding to calls at a West Nile virus hotline

Job titles of Shenandoah graduates who majored in public health include:

• community health educator
• epidemiologist
• biostatistician
• emergency preparedness coordinator
• public health nurse
• health program administrator
• hospital administrator
• health economist
• health communications specialist
• nutritionist
• workplace health promotion director
• international health specialist
• diabetes educator

Salary Examples for Public Health Graduates include:

• Community Health Educator: $42,614
• Epidemiologist: $63,921
• Biostatistician: $61,042
• Public Health Nurse: $56,064

Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.

Career & Professional Development at Shenandoah

Our program’s small classes and interactive learning environment mean you’ll receive individualized attention from experienced and caring faculty mentors. The flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum is tailored to your interests, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships, medical mission trips and faculty research projects.

The culture of Shenandoah University as a whole is so caring, and that caring environment is also reflected within our public health program. I think what makes our public health program so different is that it allows students to explore unique avenues within the public health field. The professors will always teach the basic foundations of public health, but they also like to tailor some information in a course to topics they know students are really interested in.”

Abigail Pilcher ’21 | Biology & Public Health (Currently a graduate student in public health at Yale University)

 

Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.

Learning Support Services at Shenandoah

The Honors Program is a multidisciplinary Honors Program for students who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and eager to engage in their education and community.

Not only do Honors Program students partake in honors courses that emphasize collaboration, service, and communication, but they will also have the opportunity to develop aspects of the program based on their own interests and goals. By participating in the Honors Program you will acquire the tools, knowledge and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to your community – whether it be globally, locally, or specific to your life’s work. You will have access to unique courses, exciting experiences and a community of peers and faculty who never stop asking questions and striving for excellence.

I really love being able to take classes with other Honors students. Interacting with similarly driven and committed students in both the Honors seminars and my other academics has truly been one of the most amazing aspects of the Honors Program at SU.

Annika Rodoff ’25 | Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Arts in Dance

Explore the Honors Program

Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors, graduate degrees, minors, and certificates. 

All majors within the College of Arts & Sciences require students to complete a minor in the program of their choice at Shenandoah.

These minors complement this program well:

• Chemistry
• Environmental Studies
• Biology
• Political Science
• Sociology

You may want to think about enhancing your degree with these certificates that pair well with this program:

• Coaching

Continue your education by earning a graduate degree:

• Public Health
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Athletic Training
• Occupational Therapy

Continue your education by earning a graduate certificates:

• Care Navigator
• Public Health

I was a double major in Biology and Public Health with a minor in psychology. I paired these two majors together because my specific interest is in the spread of infectious microbial diseases. I minored in psychology to have a better understanding of human thought processes and behavior.”

Abigail Pilcher ’21 | Biology & Public Health (Currently a graduate student in public health at Yale University)

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.

Application Information

Studying public health during the pandemic definitely made me feel somewhat experienced in the field! I feel like I can apply my skills from classes like intro to public health, global health and epidemiology, to better understand the complexities of a pandemic. Public health has become such a popular topic for discussion and studying now that more people know what it is, as compared to when I started at SU!”

Isabella Morello ’21 | Public Health

The Pre-Health Program is designed to help guide students develop as competitive applicants to graduate schools that match their desired profession and their academic and pre-professional profile.

Pre-Health Advising at Shenandoah University consists of in-person advising sessions either in a group or individual setting that seek to provide guidance to students interested in pursuing a career in within the health professions.

Pre-Health Students follow one of these tracks at Shenandoah:

• Traditional Pathway
• Articulation Agreement Pathway
• Early Assurance Pathway

Shenandoah University is deeply connected with the graduate schools here, so in your biology courses there is a focus on how to shape a health professional. So, if you are interested in working in the health professions Shenandoah will be a great fit!”

Justus Whittington ’23 | Biology & Public Health double major

 

Public Health Fast-Track to MPH Program (3 + 2)

The Public Health Program offers an accelerated (3 + 2) Bachelor’s + Master’s Degree program to eligible undergraduates.

Students in the 3 +2 program are required to complete coursework toward a graduate degree during their last year of undergraduate studies and complete the remaining requirements during their + 1 year. The program is rigorous and demanding, and is designed to offer high-achieving undergraduate students a quick path to a graduate degree. The MPH program seeks students who demonstrate the potential to be successful in graduate school and who are committed to the public health profession.

Learn More about the Fast-Track Program

Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.

Learn About Education Abroad

 

Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program

The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit.  These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.

GEL Courses Currently Offered

 

Study Abroad

Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.

Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world.  These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU.  All partner universities offer courses taught in English.

Public Health Abroad Course Catalog