College for Women: Public Health

PUBLIC HEALTH

Does improving the lives of individuals and communities sound exciting?

Are you especially interested in social justice and global health issues?

Do you want to prevent disease and promote health for the public?

Public health professionals join with researchers, communities, and global organizations to make a positive difference in people’s lives. You’ll build a strong foundation in a program that emphasizes social justice, health equity, and the liberal arts. Select a concentration aligning with your interests, and build rich, career-ready skills through internships, as well as opportunities to work toward an accelerated graduate degree.

YOU WILL LEARN TO:

• Identify disease patterns (epidemiology) in local and global populations

• Design health promotion programs for individuals and diverse communities

• Propose research to reduce health inequities across populations

• Identify social and ecological determinants of health

• Implement evaluations for public health programs

CAREER PATHS TO EXPLORE

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Work for an organization that furthers a social cause and provides a public benefit

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Provide critical information about health services to people who may not have easy access to it

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Help assess the performance of a government program at all stages to determine its effectiveness

DISEASE INVESTIGATION/ PREVENTION

Help further study, protect, and prevent the public from actual or potential health threats

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Work to further understand how our environment — anything external to ourselves — impacts human health THE

• Create health promotion materials to reduce health disparities

ST. KATE’S DIFFERENCE

THREE CONCENTRATION OPTIONS: Choose from public policy, health sciences, or community health worker.

ACCREDITED PROGRAM: First CEPHaccredited undergraduate public health program in Minnesota.

INTERNSHIPS: 150-hour internship with a local organization to apply your skills and develop practical experience.

IMPACT: Work with faculty on key research projects ranging from housing instability to social isolation and more.

THE CLASSES

Classes in the Public Health program include but are not limited to:

• Foundations in Public Health

• Global Health

• Environmental Health

• Epidemiology

ENRICH YOUR EXPERIENCE

Dual Degree Opportunities

Public health majors are able to pursue a dual degree — earning their bachelor’s degree while simultaneously making progress toward a graduate degree.

3+2 Master of Public Health in Global Health (MPH)

• Community Health Worker Role, Advocacy, Outreach & Resources

• Health Communication and Cultural Competence

EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS

This degree pairs well with other majors and minors, such as:

• Women in International Development

• Economics

• Public Policy

• Data Science

• Biology or Chemistry

• Psychology

Includes practicum experience in a different country or with a local immigrant or refugee population.

3+2 Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT or OTD-EL)

For those with a public policy concentration, fieldwork in diverse settings allows you to deepen your understanding of populations and cultures at home and abroad.

3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

For those with a concentration in health sciences, this prepares you to practice in a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and communitybased settings.

3+2 Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies (MAHS)

For those with a concentration in public policy, this emphasizes new paradigms of health and healing, integrating mind, body, and spirit.

• Communication

ALUM TRACKER

St. Kate’s public health alumni are currently employed by:

• HealthPartners

• Minnesota Department of Health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• 3M

• Wellshare International

Roles include:

• Community Health Worker

• Health and Safety Specialist

• Evaluation Specialist

• Environmental Health Manager

• Research Assistant

• Case Worker

College for Women Office of Admission

2004 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 651-690-8850 or 800-656-5283

admissions@stkate.edu

© 2023 St. Catherine University 01-047-223

stkate.edu

“You’re finding what you’re passionate about and learning how to be a community advocate.”

– Anchee Nitschke Durben ‘24

The information in this document applies to students entering the College for Women. Provisions of this document are subject to change at any time. Consult the St. Catherine University Undergraduate Academic Catalog for official requirements.