Public Health is a science concerned with protecting and promoting health in individuals, families, communities and entire populations through such measures as disease prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research on epidemics and infectious diseases.  The Public Health Program at Gallaudet offers a major (Bachelor of Science in Public Health - BSPH) which prepares students to work in a number of health-related fields or enter graduate or professional school. A minor in Public Health is also offered and is designed to increase awareness and understanding of public health principles among students preparing for careers in other fields such as, but not limited to, physical education and recreation, social work, business, medicine, health education or psychology.

Courses and Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Minor in Public Health

Apply Your Learning

The BSPH builds on a base curriculum of science and math courses and offers a number of required and elective courses which promote core knowledge in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health services and policy.  The core curriculum currently emphasizes a specific track called Behavioral and Community Health, which focuses on how to improve public health by encouraging people to make healthy choices through community-wide education initiatives on health topics, fitness and injury and disease prevention.  Students are also exposed to specialized information and strategies to deal with health care disparities in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. 

Students are required to complete at least one internship internal or external to the University to apply their learning of these concepts.  Internship sites include local, state, and federal government agencies, private community health organizations serving deaf and hearing consumers, and research centers studying general public health issues or health disparities relevant to deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Career Outcomes

Public health workers have careers in a number of public and private settings, including local, state, and federal government agencies, private health care organizations, and research centers.  Possible career options include the following:

  • Health Promotion Program Coordinator
  • Injury Prevention Specialist
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Nutrition Consultant
  • Emergency Preparedness Specialist
  • Health Communications Specialist
  • Health Teacher
  • Patient Navigator
  • Consumer Advocate
  • Epidemiologist
  • Quality Improvement Specialist
  • Health Procurement Manager
  • Wellness Manager

Training and Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the growth in number of jobs in public health will increase 21% through 2022, faster than the average for all other professions.  (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm#tab-6).

The Public Health Workforce Agenda for the 21st Century (US Department of Health and Human Services) calls out for the importance of ensuring diversity in the future workforce to provide adequate knowledge and understanding of population-based issues.  Gallaudet University provides diverse, well-prepared graduates with degrees in public health who bring unique perspectives to the workplace for in-demand careers in public health.

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