SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND EDUCATION

Public Health, Bachelor's Degree

Make an Impact with a Degree in Public Health

At Saint Francis University, our Public Health program is more than just textbooks; it’s about transforming communities! You’ll get hands-on experience through real-world fieldwork, work closely with expert faculty, and explore flexible degree paths in health education, disease prevention, environmental health, health policy, and medicine to reach your career goals. Our mission-driven approach helps you further define your sense of purpose so you can make a real impact in the world.

The SFU Advantage

At SFU, our Public Health Bachelor's Degree program combines classroom theory with hands-on experience and a strong sense of purpose. Our mission-driven approach is designed to help you further define your sense of purpose so you can make a real impact in the world.

Program Highlights

More hands-on experience than other programs: a full semester of field experience in real-world public health settings
Career-focused concentrations leading to roles in health education, policy, and community wellness.
Certification preparation: prepares for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Embedded community-engaged projects: included in upper-level coursework
Franciscan Values: curriculum emphasizes service, ethics, and community engagement.
Study abroad and service initiatives: available for those with a passion for global health.

What is Public Health

Public health is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. It focuses on preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring access to healthcare — rather than treating illness after it occurs. Public health professionals work at the community, state, national, and global levels to address issues such as infectious diseases, environmental hazards, health disparities, and emergency preparedness.

Did You Know?

Life expectancy increased dramatically due to public health. In the early 1900s, average life expectancy in the U.S. was about 47 years. Thanks largely to public health efforts, it’s now over 77 years.
NASA employs public health experts to monitor astronaut health, prevent infections, and manage microbial containment during space missions.
Seat belts are a public health success story. In the U.S., seat belt laws and awareness campaigns have saved an estimated 375,000 lives since 1975.
Data saves lives. Epidemiologists use data science and AI to track outbreaks, identify risk factors, and design interventions before crises spread.
Public health isn’t just for scientists. The field attracts writers, economists, designers, and communicators — for example, health campaigns like “Truth” (anti-smoking) and “Got Milk?” were designed by marketing experts who work in public health messaging.

Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NASA’s Human Health and Performance Directorate, World Health Organization (WHO)

No matter where your passion lies in the world of public health, you can find your path at SFU. Our program opens doors to a wide range of impactful careers and advanced study options.

CURRICULUM & COURSES

What You’ll Learn in the Public Health Program

Public Health is an evidence-based science of protecting and improving the health of human populations through education, research, and community-wide interventions. The Public Health program at Saint Francis University consists of an interdisciplinary curriculum to best foster the examination of population health from a broad, integrated, liberal arts perspective.

Tailor your degree with specialization paths:

Environmental Science
Epidemiology
Public Health Administration
Pre-Med

Degree Path	Plan of Study	Course Catalog	Delivery
Public Health B.S.	Plan of Study	Course Catalog - 25/26	In Person
Public Health B.A.	Plan of Study	Course Catalog - 25/26	In Person
Pre-Medicine Concentration, Public Health, B.S.	Plan of Study	Course Catalog - 25/26	In Person

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With your public health degree, you will be able to:

Gain an understanding and appreciation of how social determinants of health affect the population from a regional, national, and global health perspective.
Apply critical thinking, quantitative reasoning and evidence based research skills to assess population needs, assets, and capacities affecting community health.
Evaluate public health policy issues with respect to access, quality, and cost and demonstrate an understanding of health disparities within vulnerable populations.
Use a collaborative community approach in the planning of public health programs in diverse communities and effectively communicate disease prevention orally and in writing.

Experienced Faculty, Excellent Mentors

Our seasoned faculty members will accompany you on your individual journey, leaning into your passion to improve the health of society, your academic strengths, and your ultimate career interests. Professors hold advanced degrees and bring research expertise in both academic and applied settings. Many faculty members have worked in clinical, community, or nonprofit health organizations. Their firsthand experience ensures that what you learn in the classroom is grounded in current health challenges and solutions.

Program Chair: Dr. Kristofer Wisniewski, kwisniewski@francis.edu, 814-471-1132

Meet Our Faculty

Career Outlook in Public Health

Employment of Health Education Specialists is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, as fast as the average for all occupations. SFU's public Health program opens doors to a wide range of impactful careers and advanced study options with a bachelor’s degree.

Career Paths:

Health Education & Promotion
Epidemiology & Disease Prevention
Environmental Health
Public Health Administration
Global Health & Humanitarian Work
Health Policy and Advocacy

Graduate Program Paths:

Medical School or Pharmacy
Graduate Programs in Public Health (MPH and DrPH)
Research Fellowships

Student Outcomes:

Recent graduates in Public Health report a 100% employment/graduate school placement rate for the past 8 years straight.
One student has successfully sat for the CHES exam (100% pass rate).
Several students have successfully pursued SFU's accelerated Second Degree Nursing BSN program.
A Public Health Pre-Med Major assisted in the rewrite of the Pandemic Preparedness Plan for Erie County Department of Health prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic. During the Pandemic, they invited him back to implement the updated plan as he awaited entry into LECOM.
Public Health student completed her Field Experience at a Nursing Care Facility and found her passion for geriatric care. She furthered her education and became a Nursing Home Administrator.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Public Health and Saint Francis University

Public Health begins with an undergraduate degree that prepares you to work with people to improve health, prevent disease and make a difference in their lives. It is a fast-growing field with a wide variety of entry level public health degree jobs locally, nationally, and globally.
With a public health degree, you will learn to understand how people make decisions about their health and using that knowledge, you can support them in making healthy changes. You can also help people navigate the complex health system, answer questions about health insurances, design health programs, manage projects, and interpret and translate scientific information for the public. You will become an expert in identifying valid health data and effective programs, compiling and writing grants, making complex decisions, solving health-puzzles, and creating health education and marketing materials like movies, flyers, posters and more.
Many organizations hire public health professionals, such as government organizations, universities, hospitals, doctor's offices, nonprofit organizations, or schools. As a public health professional, some of the many areas you can work in include maternal and child health, disaster response and preparedness, infectious disease investigation, research, environmental health, workplace safety, child abuse awareness and reduction, community health, etc.

Ready to take the next step?

We’re here to help you succeed. Our enrollment team is happy to answer your questions, set up a time to meet with faculty, and walk you through the application & financial aid processes.

Find your Enrollment Advisor
Explore our team directory and the areas/regions they serve. When you're ready, connect with your enrollment advisor by phone, email, or text.

Meet the Team

Schedule your personal visit today and/or sign up for one of our upcoming events!

Blog

Students participating in the Poverty Simulation

Poverty Simulation Event Highlights the Struggles of Those in Need

Mitchell Jubas | 10/21/2024

On October 18th, the Poverty Simulation Event gathered students and faculty from nursing, PT, social work, and public health to experience the challenges of poverty firsthand. Participants faced scenarios involving housing, healthcare, and limited resources, fostering empathy and raising awareness. The event highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and inspired attendees to take action in addressing poverty within their communities.

Public Health Alumni Spotlight

University Communications & Marketing | 09/12/2023

Amongst the public health scene are five SFU alumni who have embarked on inspiring journeys, each contributing uniquely to the field. Read the stories of Lucy Rojas, Christine Yakicic, Makenna Topka, Joe Theiss, and Hannah Anderson.

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