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Preventing Illness and Promoting Health
Our Public Health, B.A., major helps you identify critical elements of health and develop a foundation to work in diverse environments. You will choose a concentration in human disease and epidemiology, health policy and administration, or health promotion and education.
Public health professionals focus on preventing illness and promoting health in individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
Contact Information
Kelly Abshire, Ph.D. (Human Diseases and Epidemiology)
91 Pearson
abshirk@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-2028
Sara McLaughlin (Health Policy and Administration)
358 Upham Hall
mclaugsj@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-8138
Paul Branscum (Public Health Administration)
branscpw@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-3022
100 Bishop Circle
Oxford, OH 45056
publichealth@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-0449
Curriculum and Courses
The Public Health curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and draws on faculty expertise across two colleges and multiple departments. Depending upon the concentration, students gain a greater depth of understanding of related areas, such as psychology, sociology, and gerontology (study of older adults); health disparities and global health, human diseases and epidemiology, health promotion; and health policy and administration. A few of the courses you will take in this major include:
- KNH 125 or MBI 131 Introduction to Public Health
- MBI 361 or MBI 361W Epidemiology
- KNH 321 or GTY 365 Health Policy & Administration
- KNH 218 Applied Behavior Change
- STA261 or STA 301 Statistics
I really got into Public Health, with a focus on Health Policy and Administration, because I worked in the Miami student activities office with over 600 student organizations on campus. I came in the midst of a pandemic, and in order for me to succeed in college and to make this place feel like home, I had to get out of my comfort zone a bit and step out and get involved.
Nyah Smith ’24
Careers in Public Health
The Public Health major is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the field of public health or for graduate/professional school. Graduates are qualified to work in a variety of entry-level positions in government, non-profit, or private industry.
After graduation, students will often enter a Master of Public Health (MPH) program, where they obtain a set of highly specialized competencies that prepares them for program management and supervisory roles within the public health field.
The Public Health major is broad and cuts across several disciplines, which helps to prepare students for a range of professional degree programs such as medical, dental, pharmacy, or law school. If pursuing a professional degree program, Public Health majors should ensure that they complete the necessary prerequisites for entry into their intended professional degree program.
Students who seek a career in research may wish to apply to public health MS/PhD graduate programs.
Possible public health entry-level job titles include:
- Community Education Specialist
- Health Data Analyst
- Health Policy Analyst
- Research Assistant or Research Coordinator
- Prevention Specialist
- Program Coordinator or Consultant
- Health Promotion and Education Specialist
Learning Objectives
Concentration 1 – Human Disease and Epidemiology:
- Describe the underlying science of human health and disease, including opportunities from promoting and protecting health across the life course
- Demonstrate use of research tools and analytic methods to critically analyze, monitor, and access the health status of populations and current public health-related issues
Concentration 2 – Health Policy and Administration:
- Evaluate impact of policies and legislation on individual and population health
- Explain the fundamental characteristics and organizational structure of the U.S. health systems
Concentration 3 – Public Health Promotion:
- Use the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology
- Explain the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society
Additional Opportunities
Student Contact Tracing
Miami public health students gave back during the pandemic and worked as contact tracers to keep the community safe. Miami’s public health program supports students obtaining applied, real-world work experiences in the field.
Research with Faculty
Miami students have many opportunities to be involved with research or independent study with faculty through numerous programs including the First Year Research Experience (FYRE). FYRE aims to jumpstart student involvement in research and inquiry at the very start of your college experience.
Facts and Stats
Your college experience here will be one of the most exciting times of your life. To make sure of this, we’ll provide you with a powerful support system.
First-to-second year retention
Miami University Data
Among Public Universities in the United States for Four-Year Graduation Rate
The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac
of 2018-2019 graduates who were employed or furthering their education by fall 2019
Miami University Data
This is Where Your Journey to Miami University Begins
Explore what it means to be a college student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where students prepare to go anywhere and everywhere. We’ll be here to help every step of the way as you prepare for college admission, enrollment, and success.