Program(s) Available: B.A.S., B.S.
If you’re passionate about health and want to create positive change in communities, a bachelor’s in public health degree is for you. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines classroom learning with hands-on community engagement, Northwest Missouri State University’s public health program prepares you to improve health outcomes in your community and beyond.
In the bachelor of science in public health program at Northwest, you’ll develop skills like research, data analysis, communication, leadership and advocacy, creating endless possibilities for your future career. Whether you want to work in health-care administration, health education, policy development or emergency preparedness, at Northwest, you can customize your education to fit your goals while remaining grounded in health equity and social justice principles.
If you’re interested in a four-year degree that empowers you to improve community health outcomes through prevention, education and policy development, choose this option. Our interdisciplinary program combines public health fundamentals with opportunities to specialize based on your interests and career goals. It is designed for students without previous college credit.
The B.S. in public health requires 120 credit hours, including courses in:
Your studies culminate in a capstone internship where you'll apply your knowledge in a real-world public health setting, gaining valuable professional experience and connections before graduation.
If you have already completed a technical associate of applied science (A.A.S.), associate of science (A.S.), or certificate from a regionally accredited community college, the B.A.S. in public health provides a streamlined path for you to earn your bachelor’s degree. This flexible option maximizes transfer of your vocational and technical courses while building the advanced skills necessary for public health practice.
This degree path offers:
Looking for flexible public health degrees that offer the same quality as on-campus programs? Explore Northwest’s online bachelor’s in public health program. Designed for busy students, our program allows you to balance work, family or other commitments while still providing the same comprehensive coursework and practical learning experiences as Northwest’s on-campus major.
At Northwest, your education extends beyond textbooks and lectures. You'll engage directly with community health challenges, develop versatile leadership skills and build a professional network that spans multiple sectors. Our program emphasizes profession-based learning and community engagement while equipping you for the continuously evolving health-care landscape. With a major in public health from Northwest, you'll graduate ready to make an immediate impact while positioning yourself for long-term career growth.
Northwest's public health major bridges multiple disciplines, connecting health-care with business, social work, communication and environmental science. This comprehensive approach ensures you understand how health issues intersect with various social, economic and environmental factors. By collaborating with students and professionals across fields, you'll develop the multidimensional perspective needed to address pressing health challenges.
From designing health promotion programs for local organizations to conducting community health assessments, you'll apply classroom concepts to real situations. You’ll also complete a capstone internship with health agencies, health-care systems, nonprofit organizations or government departments, giving you practical skills and professional connections that employers value. These experiences transform you from a student into a confident health professional ready to lead change.
Public health offers remarkable career flexibility, and our program maximizes your options. At Northwest, you’ll prepare for roles across health care, government, research and nonprofit sectors. Whether you plan to enter the workforce immediately or pursue graduate education, your degree in public health provides a solid foundation for numerous career paths. It’s a future-proof investment in your professional development.
Wed, Oct. 8, 2025
(applied health science, exercise science, pre-athletic training & public health)
Wed, Oct. 8, 2025
(sport management, recreation management & therapeutic recreation)
Wed, Oct. 8, 2025
(health/PE & foods/nutrition)
Jayne White MPH, RN
Instructor
660.562.1305
jaynew@nwmissouri.edu
As a public health major, you'll graduate prepared for diverse career opportunities in one of today's fastest-growing fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers like medical and health services managers – common roles for public health graduates – are projected to see 29% growth from 2023 to 2033, significantly outpacing average job growth.
Specific public health degree jobs include:
Your Northwest education also provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies, including a master of public health (MPH), master of health administration (MHA), or specialized doctoral programs that can further advance your career and earning potential.
We make your public health bachelor's degree affordable through various financial support options, including university-wide scholarships and program-specific funding opportunities. While developing the skills for a high-demand career, you'll benefit from Northwest's commitment to keeping your education accessible and your prospects open. Search health-related scholarships or browse all aid below.
Northwest's public health program exemplifies our university-wide commitment to your success. Our faculty bring real-world public health experience into the classroom while maintaining an open-door policy for mentoring. We continuously adapt our curriculum to address emerging health challenges, ensuring you graduate with relevant knowledge and skills that employers seek.
Connect with peers who share your passion for health and wellness through organizations like the Applied Health Science Club or Kappa Omicron Nu (KoNU). These groups provide opportunities for networking, community service and professional development that complement your classroom learning and enhance your résumé.
From day one, you'll feel at home in the close-knit Bearcat community. Our supportive environment helps you thrive academically while developing the professional network that will support your career long after graduation. The connections you make here – with faculty, community partners and fellow students – become the foundation of your professional success.
“I chose Northwest for its welcoming environment, low student-to-professor ratio, and one-on-one, hands-on learning opportunities. I owe my success to the faculty who taught me to get out of my comfort zone.”
Grace Carter | Student Teacher, Park Hill School District | Health Education (2025)
A public health major is an interdisciplinary program that prepares you to protect and improve population health through prevention, education and policy development. At Northwest, our major combines coursework in epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, social determinants of health and research methods with profession-based community experiences.
Unlike clinical health-care programs that focus on treating individual patients, public health examines the broader factors that influence health outcomes across entire communities.
A bachelor's in public health builds skills for diverse careers across multiple sectors. Graduates work as community health educators developing programs to promote wellness, as corporate wellness coordinators designing employee health initiatives, as environmental health specialists ensuring safe living conditions or as health policy analysts shaping legislation that improves population health.
Other public health major jobs include emergency preparedness coordinators, health communication specialists, research assistants and program managers for government agencies or nonprofits.
Public health is an excellent major if you want to combine scientific understanding with meaningful social impact. It's particularly well-suited for those who enjoy analyzing complex problems, communicating effectively and developing practical solutions that improve community well-being. The major offers exceptional career flexibility – your skills will be valuable in health care, government, nonprofit, research and corporate settings.
Public health is essential because it focuses on preventing health problems before they occur and addressing the root causes that affect entire populations. While medical care treats individuals after they become ill, public health works upstream to prevent disease, create healthier environments and ensure conditions where everyone can thrive.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how crucial strong public health systems are for societal functioning and economic stability. Public health initiatives have been responsible for many of society's greatest achievements – from increased life expectancy through vaccination programs to reduced traffic fatalities through safety regulations.
Additionally, public health addresses health disparities by examining how factors like economic status, race, geography and education influence health outcomes, working to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to be healthy regardless of their background or circumstances.
The bachelor’s in public health degree provides a strong foundation in health-care systems, epidemiology and health promotion, which are essential for pursuing advanced medical education. While this program is not specifically a pre-med program, the knowledge and skills you gain can complement a future career in medicine.
If you are interested in medical school or other health-care fields, you can use this program as a stepping stone to build a holistic understanding of health systems and patient care. Our academic advisors can work with you to tailor the curriculum, ensuring you meet the necessary prerequisites for medical school and guide you through the application process.
Learn public health from faculty who have navigated complex health challenges in real-world settings and implemented evidence-based solutions in diverse communities. Their mentorship and guidance, shaped by the challenges and rewards of public health practice, become your path to an impactful career addressing today’s most pressing health issues.
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