Public Health

Want to make a big impact? Then let’s talk about public health, where you can help entire communities become safer and healthier. How? By proactively reducing environmental risk factors, focusing on the root causes of diseases and injuries, and encouraging community-wide healthy behaviors. As one of our students said, “you’re affecting people at a population level, instead of waiting for someone to come with you with a specific issue.” So stop waiting—and keep reading.

What will I learn?

How do we collect health data from the public? What cultural and social factors contribute to health disparities? How does stress affect health for individuals, families and communities? These are just some of the topics you might explore as you learn about diseases, health interventions and how the public health system works. In addition to classes in public health, you’ll also have opportunities to take courses in related disciplines such as psychology, political science, sociology and statistics.

What can I do outside of class?

At UB, we encourage you to take advantage of opportunities on campus and around the world.

  • Research. Even as an undergrad, you can work with faculty on impactful research projects; many of our faculty collaborate with other researchers throughout UB and other leading institutions.
  • Practical experience. Join other health care students in activities like Friday Night at the ER, where you'll compete in a simulation to manage a busy hospital.
  • Campus-wide collaborations and events. Meet well-known speakers at lectures and other events hosted by the School of Public Health and Health Professions and other schools within UB’s Academic Health Center.
  • Study abroad and other global opportunities. Get firsthand, life-changing experience while helping others and learning about health services around the world.
Research
Connect with Mentors
Events
Study Abroad

What can I do with a public health degree?

Workplace health and safety specialist at Amazon. Case manager for the New York State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are just a few of the places where UB's public health grads have helped make a difference. 

Whether you choose to work for a government agency, hospital, research lab, academic institution, nonprofit organization or a business, you’ll find that a public health degree gives you career choices, including:

  • Care coordinator.
  • Community health worker.
  • Family engagement coordinator.
  • Harm reduction specialist.
  • Health educator.
  • Lab manager.
  • Maternal health advocate.
  • Medical assistant.
  • Patient care liaison.
  • Research coordinator.

In addition, many students decide to get a graduate or professional degree in public health, nursing, physical therapy, medicine or a related field.

Who will I learn from?

Our faculty members are here to help you, whether you have questions about a course assignment or just want some career advice. "It's very easy to talk to them one-on-one," said one of our students. "You can get any information about any research they’re doing or what their career path was."

As a public health major, you’ll typically learn from faculty members throughout the School of Public Health and Health Professions, including specialists in community health, environmental health, epidemiology, statistics and other key areas. In addition to being exceptional teachers, our faculty members are also experienced researchers and scholars. They are members of the American Public Health Association and other prestigious organizations. They have edited and been published in leading public health journals and have conducted research with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among other top institutions. 

Admissions

Financial Aid

Student Guide