Samantha Garbers
PhD, MPA
Teaching Professor, Undergraduate Program Director Public Health and Health Sciences
YOU ARE BOUVÉ
The Northeastern Public Health major is for students with an interest in the factors that shape health at the community level – including social determinants of health, public health programs, policies, and administration. You will develop extensive knowledge in public health along with a solid grounding in the social and behavioral sciences.
This is a good fit if you’re interested in public health and society both locally and globally.
As a graduate you can continue your education in public health, and explore careers in health education, health administration, health policy, or health promotion. The bachelor’s degree also offers a foundation in public health for students on a pre-health track.
Our graduates often pursue advanced degrees in law, public policy, and urban planning, or work for social change in nonprofit organizations. Northeastern also offers a PlusOne MPH program, which allows students to complete a master’s degree in just one additional year of study.
Accredited by:
Degree type:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Health
Study options:
Combined Majors:
Contact: [email protected]
How to Apply:
Learn about our application process.
Dr. Thurston’s research explores how race, ethnicity, social class, gender, size, and sexuality intersect and influence health outcomes, inequities, and well-being in youth and families. She also directs the CHANGE lab, which develops and disseminates culturally-responsive tools to enhance wellness and promote resilience.
faculty spotlight
Please view the university’s academic catalog for full course details.
The Public Health degree provides students with foundational learning on how health is shaped by health behaviors, policies, environmental factors, and social determinants of health. Building on core courses that introduce them to the United States healthcare system and health policy and administration students engage in co-ops, research, and service work that address the intersection of health and society to improve public health. The program’s interdisciplinary focus encompasses courses on health policy, epidemiology, and biostatistics, paired with courses in psychology and other social sciences.
This major is also flexible enough to allow students to explore minors, combined majors and global opportunities.
Please view the university’s academic catalog for full course details.
Students take a variety of courses covering several subject areas, including:
Students take courses from the categories listed below to connect public health knowledge with other disciplines.
Students will take courses that provide them with a strong foundation in research methods and pre-health and pre-med preparation. Students interested in graduate school in medicine, dentistry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, and physician assistant studies may opt to follow a pre-health focus, which includes courses required for medical school and other clinical training programs.
Please visit the PreHealth Advising website for course requirements.
Gain a competitive advantage in the job market by choosing our PlusOne accelerated BA/master’s degree program in Public Health. The PlusOne enables you to complete both degrees in as little as five years.
During their senior year, students participate in a Capstone experience to broaden and integrate the knowledge, skills, and experience gained from the health science major. Capstones can take the form of service projects, research projects, seminars, or honors projects.
Students in our Public Health major learn the value of working in the public health field via the class setting as well as on co-op. Our co-op positions allow students to learn and recognize the importance of professional behaviors both in the classroom and in the workplace. Students also have opportunities to study at Northeastern’s global campuses, as well as our summer Dialogue of Civilizations programs.
On-campus experiential learning options include:
Off-campus options include local and federal public health agencies and NGOs in Boston and around the globe.
Public Health students are actively involved on campus and in the community. Our student groups provide the opportunity to build upon your education, enhance your experience, and get to know other students both within and outside the Public Health major.
A degree in Public Health is a great option for students who want to learn more about the factors that impact health and are interested in working in healthcare, education, government, public policy, healthcare administration, law or other related fields. Students frequently go on to advanced degrees, including Northeastern’s PlusOne in Public Health, and clinical training.
Public Health students tend to do co-ops at non-profit organizations, hospitals and research sites, with roles such as clinical research, community health navigator, program coordinator and patient experience representative. Students work with their co-op faculty to identify co-ops that align with their future career goals.
Yes! Students will have a strong foundation in public health and the factors that influence health in different populations. Students interested in pre-med or pre-PA will work with the PreHealth Advising office as well as their academic advisors to make sure they are on track to apply.
Yes!! All students can have a global experience, regardless of their major. There are many options for students, including Dialogues of Civilizations, a short-term summer program that is a unique and popular choice for Northeastern students. Mobility is a key component of the Northeastern student experience, and opportunities are available at Northeastern’s global campuses.
PhD, MPA
Teaching Professor, Undergraduate Program Director Public Health and Health Sciences
PhD, MPH, CPH
Associate Clinical Professor & Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs — Oakland campus Public Health and Health Sciences
MS
Associate Director, Health Sciences Program; Senior Lecturer Public Health and Health Sciences
MPH
Assistant Academic Program Director, Health Science BS Program Public Health and Health Sciences
