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Public Health Degree

MajorMinor

Degrees Available: Bachelor of Arts

Our Health Ethics, Advocacy, and Leadership program will empower you to improve lives and build healthy communities. Learn more about how a degree in Public Health can change your life and the lives of others.

Pursue a Public Health Major or Minor at Willamette University

When you study public health at Willamette University, you’ll address complex 21st century challenges. Those like disease prevention, access to care and environmental health – issues that affect us all. You’ll also have a chance to turn your knowledge into action while you’re earning your bachelor’s degree.

Our students have collaborated with communities and Salem-area partners to investigate many public health issues. Those include the following: vaccine coverage, food security and the possible carcinogenic effects of a common sunscreen ingredient. They’ve worked with professors in advanced labs, presented their research at conferences and published their findings in scientific journals. So can you as a part of this program.

Along the way, you’ll have many opportunities for graduate-level coursework in health law and management. Experience like this can’t be found at any other private liberal arts university in the Pacific Northwest. With a background in public health, your career path can lead in many directions. You’ll have the breadth and depth of knowledge you need to create positive change for a healthier future.

Our Health Ethics, Advocacy and Leadership program in Public Health offers a route to careers for students. Interests include those as diverse as public policy, education, communications, counseling and management. It also serves as excellent preparation for students with career interests in many clinical health areas.

Willamette graduates will be prepared to assess public health patterns, devise ethical and equitable interventions, and advocate for meaningful change. 

Featured Alumni

Public Health

Lisa Oakley '04

  • Member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s elite disease detectives
  • Served on the front lines of public health in Seattle during the initial outbreak of the pandemic
  • Her team’s work led to the social-distancing requirements and face-covering recommendations widely adopted nationwide
Public Health

Anna Ayala '19

  • Designed a customized anesthetic at Oregon Health & Science University
  • Co-authored a study that published in a neuroscience journal
  • Collaborated with Professor of Chemistry Sarah Kirk to develop local anesthetics for surgery patients
Willamette University

Public Health

Address
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6061