The Public Health program is part of the BGSU College of Health & Human Services

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Public Health

A bachelor degree in public health with an environmental health concentration will prepare students for a career as an environmental health professional. Environmental health is a core area of public health. Environmental health professionals work in the area of environmental health, safety, sanitation and hygiene. Students may obtain jobs in this field immediately following graduation.


Admission Information

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Quality classroom experiences

The classes are taught by dedicated faculty with professional public and environmental health experience who have the expertise to prepare students for challenging and exciting careers in the public and environmental health field. Students will also have the opportunity to learn and interact with other students with similar interests.

Stand Out in courses like

  • Environmental Ethics
  • Community Health
  • Human Diseases
  • Environmental Politics & Policy

Curriculum

The 122 credit hour curriculum exposes students to the concepts necessary for success in the public and environmental health workplace. Students have the option to take many of the courses online. A required internship provides students with the opportunity to receive training linked to practice. An important component of public health training is the integration of learning with practical experience.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.

Internships and Careers

Students will pursue a 180-hour internship with a public health organization of their choice. The internship program is meant to provide students a hands-on experience to enhance their classroom learning and allows students to apply this knowledge to real-world problems and situations. The internship experience also provides an opportunity for students to better understand their career options and preferences, as well as make invaluable contacts with practitioners and professionals.

GO FAR in your career

  • Environmental health practitioner
  • Environmental health officer
  • Sanitarian  

Environmental health graduates will be qualified to take the Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian-in-Training examination leading to professional licensure.

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The Public Health program is part of the BGSU College of Health & Human Services

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate, students in Public Health are expected to:

  • Define the role of federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines, and authorities that control environmental health issues;
  • Describe risk factors and modes of transmission for infectious and chronic diseases and how these diseases affect public health;
  • Discuss the role of gender, race, ethnicity, and other evolving demographics in public health and disparities in public health;
  • Explain the basic general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting response to various environmental exposures;
  • Read and critically analyze scientific and professional articles from the field of public health;
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in an array of media;
  • Describe the role of research, evaluation, and use of data in public health;
  • Use analysis methods appropriate for various research objectives;
  • Engage in teamwork to apply collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches for improving population health;
  • Demonstrate practical skills for anticipating, recognizing and responding to public health emergencies;
  • Analyze ethical concerns, conflicts of interest, and alternative viewpoints that arise in the field of public health;
  • Describe approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.
Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and is in good standing.

More information on accreditation

Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Public Health program leads to professional licensure.

More information on professional licensure

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Public Health program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.