Public Health Major

Notebook style checklist with 5 public health values: We are real; we are creative; we are engaged; we are supportive; we are successful

Public Health Major

The bachelor of applied science (B.A.Sc.) in Public Health prepares students to succeed as professionals in global employment or for the pursuit of advanced degrees.

Graduates of the Public Health Major are prepared to:

  • practice in a range of community settings (e.g., schools, voluntary health agencies, public health departments, hospitals, corporate work sites, and businesses)
  • pursue graduate education (such as master's degrees in public health, health education, psychology, environmental health & safety)
  • seek professional school training (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, dental hygiene)
  • earn related certifications in their fields of interest (e.g., certified health education specialist, certified health coach)

Check out what recent graduates are doing.

Requirements

For a complete list of the major requirements and course descriptions, please visit the Public Health major catalog page. View a sample plan that shows one of several possible ways to complete this degree. Learn more about the positive job outlook for public health professionals.

Certifications

Students who complete the public health major are qualified to sit for the CHES Certified Health Education Specialist exam (www.nchec.org). This certification makes a student more competitive in the hiring process. Testing windows April and October of each year. Eligibility: Alumni of the program will be eligible to sit for the exam, and current students with less than 90 days to graduate may also be eligible.

Quality Assurance

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation logo

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Public Health at the University of Minnesota Duluth is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). 

 

  • Fall 2026: The UMD Public Health program is undergoing a review for reaccreditation in 2027. Third-party comments about the program's practices and procedures can be sent to CEPH ([email protected]) through December 22, 2026.
  • March 15, 2022: Notified that the CEPH Board of Councilors acted at its March 6-7, 2022, meeting to accredit the Public Health Program at the University of Minnesota Duluth for a five-year term. The program’s initial accreditation date was recorded as March 2, 2019, with the accreditation term extending until July 1, 2027. Access to the official accreditation report and the final self-study can be requested by emailing [email protected].
  • Prior to CEPH accreditation, the University of Minnesota Duluth Public Health program was approved by the SOPHE/AAHE Baccalaureate Program Approval Committee (SABPAC), which reviewed and evaluated community health education programs through 2014. The program earned SABPAC approvals in both 2003 and 2013.