Public Health
Public Health Saves Lives - Join a Career that Helps and Protects Communities
Public Health, B.S.
The Public Health Bachelor of Science (B.S.) 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. With a proactive, interdisciplinary approach to health, public health focuses on preventing illness, promoting wellness, and ensuring equitable access to health services.
Our program is designed to meet the diverse goals of students, whether you’re interested in pursuing a public health career or need a strong foundation for pre-med, pre-PA, or pre-nursing pathways.
For students looking to work in public health, this degree equips you with the skills needed to tackle complex health challenges. Graduates are prepared for roles as a health educator, community outreach worker, prevention coordinator, or community engagement specialist. Through courses such as Methods of Marketing and Communication in Health, Environmental Health, and Health Program Planning, you'll gain the knowledge necessary to improve community health, promote disease prevention, and shape health policy.
For those on a pre-med, pre-PA, or pre-nursing track, a Public Health degree provides a solid foundation in core areas like Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Human Health and Disease, and Bioethical Issues. Our graduates successfully use this degree to advance into medical school, PA programs, or nursing school, making it a versatile choice for those aiming to enter clinical healthcare fields.
Additionally, students who wish to continue their education in public health 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 also offers a Ph.D. in Health, providing a pathway for those interested in advanced research and leadership roles in the public health field, right here on campus.
Watch this WKRN video featuring Virgil Teeter, current Public Health, B.S. student!
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 celebrates with faculty, alumni awards
Faculty and alumni from Middle Tennessee State University’s Public Health Program had plenty to celebrate during the week of the Tennessee Public Health Association Conference that took place recently at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.[ Read More ]
MTSU program introduces high schoolers to ‘day in the life’ of public health professionals
Middle Tennessee State University Public Health faculty in the Department of Health and Human Performance showed over 300 students “a day in the life” of health professionals during a recent program at Siegel High School — one of four outreach activities planned at various Rutherford County high schools throughout the spring semester.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
MTSU Public Health Program celebrates with faculty, alumni awards
Faculty and alumni from Middle Tennessee State University’s Public Health Program had plenty to celebrate during the week of the Tennessee Public Health Association Conference that took place recently at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.[ Read More ]
MTSU program introduces high schoolers to ‘day in the life’ of public health professionals
Middle Tennessee State University Public Health faculty in the Department of Health and Human Performance showed over 300 students “a day in the life” of health professionals during a recent program at Siegel High School — one of four outreach activities planned at various Rutherford County high schools throughout the spring semester.[ Read More ]
Public Health, B.S.
Employer List
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My time at MTSU not only equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to begin a successful career, but it also connected me with some truly remarkable members of our community. Through engaging coursework, hands-on learning opportunities, and supportive faculty, I gained a strong foundation in both the technical and professional aspects of my field.
-Andrew Carpenter, Class of '21, Member Engagement Manager at Nashville Health Care Council
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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