Public Health
Public Health Saves Lives - Join a Career that Helps and Protects Communities
Public Health, B.S.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a flexible and impactful degree for students passionate about improving health outcomes and promoting well-being in communities.
Public health is focused on preventing illness before it occurs and ensuring equitable access to health services. Our program is designed to meet the diverse goals of students, as our curriculum covers a broad range of public health topic areas such as biostatistics, community mental health, environmental health, epidemiology, and substance use prevention.
Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program will be equipped for careers as a:
- Community Health Worker
- Health Educator
- Prevention Coordinator
Along with support from your advisor, students completing the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program are equipped with a strong foundation for graduate school tracts such as:
- Pre-Physician’s Assistant
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Med
Already know that you want to earn your Master of Public Health? Students in the undergraduate program can take advantage of our Accelerated Bachelor’s-to-Master’s (ABM) program, which allows you to begin working on your Master of Public Health (MPH) while completing your undergraduate degree.
MTSU Public Health Program Values
- Health Equity: Commitment to address disparities that contribute to health inequity.
- Collaboration: Commitment to educate and practice public health through collaboration.
- Evidence-Based: Commitment to use an evidence-based approach in public education and practice.
- Right-To-Health: Commitment to the concept that good health is a fundamental right.
Accreditation
Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH); the nationally recognized accrediting body for public health (https://ceph.org).
News Briefs
MTSU Public Health Program grad student wins professional, academic honors
Middle Tennessee State University Public Health Program doctoral student Vinny Black has received a trio of honors this year for his leadership and academic excellence. [ Read More ]
Inaugural Public Health Symposium at MTSU draws high schoolers eyeing medical professions
Middle Tennessee State University’s Public Health Symposium recently hosted more than 100 high schoolers at the inaugural event, giving them a snapshot of careers that extend beyond traditional roles in medicine.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
MTSU Public Health Program grad student wins professional, academic honors
Middle Tennessee State University Public Health Program doctoral student Vinny Black has received a trio of honors this year for his leadership and academic excellence. [ Read More ]
Inaugural Public Health Symposium at MTSU draws high schoolers eyeing medical professions
Middle Tennessee State University’s Public Health Symposium recently hosted more than 100 high schoolers at the inaugural event, giving them a snapshot of careers that extend beyond traditional roles in medicine.[ Read More ]
Public Health, B.S.
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Alumni Success
At MTSU, I gained a strong foundation in program evaluation, needs assessments, and stakeholder engagement, skills I now use in my thesis and public health-related projects. I learned how to translate data into meaningful narratives. My experience with Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data during my first undergrad research project taught me how to analyze and interpret health outcomes, which directly connects to my current work supporting the Southern Environmental Health Study and conducting nutrition epidemiology research. MTSU also helped me build confidence in public speaking, scientific writing, and collaborative problem-solving.
-Alondra Serranoh, Class of '24, Full-Time Master of Public Health Candidate & Part-Time Research Assistant at Vanderbilt
MTSU helped prepare me by providing with me educational activities and experiences that connected together to create the overall picture of community and public health. Therefore, this provided me with the opportunities I needed to apply my knowledge as I went. These experiences helped me develop the skills I use every day working in community and public health.
-Kaysi Paul, Class of '17, Director of Primary Prevention Initiatives at Prevention Coalition for Success (PC4S)
Through my professors , I was able to obtain internships while in undergrad at the Tennessee Department of Health . Having these internships provided me with real life experience so that by the time I graduated , I was able to hit the workforce running . I was then hired at Metro ONE WEEK after graduating.
-Mya Gray, Class of '24, STD/HIV Program Coordinator at Metro Public Health Department
Internship Opportunities
What is a “Public Health” Internship?
Students in the undergraduate public health program can choose to partake in an internship with a community health organization while also earning class credit. For every 1 credit hour earned, the student must work 30 hours at the agency site. Thus, our 6-credit hour internship means you must complete 180 work hours.
Why Do Students Choose to Complete an Internship?
The internship enriches education by adding the vital component of “work experience” for the student. The experience allows students to explore and clarify professional goals, establish post-graduation job contacts, and to acquire skills and experiences related to their career goals. The student can determine areas of strength and work to improve on areas of weakness.
Previous Internship Sites Include:
- Child Advocacy Center
- Kymari House
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- MTSU Center for Health and Human Services
- Rutherford 4-H Extension
- Rutherford County Boys and Girls Club
- Rutherford County Health Department
- Rutherford County Insurance and Risk Management, Safety Program
- Rutherford Prevention Coalition for Success
- Stones River Watershed Association
- Wilson County Health Department
Undergraduate Internship Manual
Helpful Links
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Student Testimonies
“The ultimate goal of public health is to improve the quality of life worldwide by creating healthier communities and environments. I am working to pursue a career in dentistry, and knowledge about public health will one day help me understand and meet the needs of the patients in my community. Public Health offers knowledge of disease prevention, statistics, and the community’s overall health.”
- Gracie Jacoway, Current Student
“Public Health is not treating the symptoms of life, it’s getting to the to the cause of the symptoms and rerouting the outcome. Basically, it is the backbone of the medical field or healthcare in general. The shift from nursing to public health has reignited my passion for preventive care and has motivated me to engage in initiatives that promote health on a larger scale. Public health is a dynamic and rewarding career that allows all of us to make that meaningful contribution to society.”
- Kayla Cameron, Current Student
“The time that I spent in the Public Health Program opened up doors for me that I had no idea existed. Like most, substance use disorder has touched my life personally and I had no idea how to make an impact. I happened to end up in the Drugs and Violence course and the professor that taught the class changed my life. He may not know the hand that he played in the roles I hold now, but I thank him everyday for the impact that he has made.”
- Gabiral Cathey, Class of 2020
Prospective Students
Current Students
Additional Links
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