Public Health
Washburn University’s Public Health curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to confidently pursue a career in public health. A certificate or degree in public health enables graduates to work in a range of environments, including government agencies, nonprofits, private organizations, academia and research.
Public health is a growing field that needs professionals who are competent in a variety of roles, including education, community outreach, marketing, policy and advocacy, epidemiology and research. Public health is also an excellent complement for students pursuing a career in healthcare, where many organizations prefer that job applicants have a bachelor’s degree.
Why study public health at Washburn?
Our public health programs are offered completely online, allowing you to complete the coursework when and where it fits into your schedule. You can be a full-time student or take as few as three credit hours per semester. The certificate in Public Health can be completed in as little as one year.
A certificate or degree in public health will prepare you for a career in a field projected to grow significantly faster than the average for all other occupations in Kansas and the nation (25-31% through 2031 according to bls.gov). Recent research indicates more than 60% of public health graduates move directly into a career after graduation.
Additionally, all of our full-time BHS faculty have at least 20 years of healthcare and healthcare management experience, and many have worked with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
2 Options for Certificates in Public Health
Washburn offers two certificate options in public health. Students who have completed or are working toward an associate degree or at least two years of work experience in public health or healthcare can complete an Advanced Certificate in Public Health (27 credit hours). Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree or higher may complete a Certificate in Public Health (15 credit hours). The certificate in Public Health can be completed in as little as one year.
To apply for a certificate program, apply to Washburn and the BHS program.
Program pathway
Admission to the BHS program requires a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Students who have earned an associate degree in an allied health discipline or are credentialed, licensed or a registered health professional are eligible for admission.
Students without a health care background are required to complete four to five prerequisite courses prior to applying.
Upon completion, students will earn a Bachelor of Health Science in Public Health.
Degree Plan
You can complete your bachelor of Public Health entirely online in as little as four years.
Internship opportunity
While studying Public Health you'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through an internship. Internships are a great way to extend your learning from the classroom to the community while receiving academic credit. You'll apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a supervised public health internship experience. Priority application deadlines for the fall, spring and summer terms can be found on the internship application form.
Meet Lainey Faulkner
Lainey Faulkner made a change after joining the workforce, building a career in public health while working toward degrees at Washburn University. Lainey earned a Bachelor of Health Science and is pursuing a Master of Health Science. She is the section director of the Community-Clinical Linkages Section at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and teaches at Washburn.
Jobs & Opportunities
Entry-level salary range
$45,000 - $60,000
Career Opportunities
Career ready
60%
Program Cost
Washburn offers a competitive online tuition rate. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay the same rate.
How to Apply
GET IN TOUCH WITH Allied Health
Allied Health
Benton Hall, Room 107
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Ph: 785.670.2170
allied-health@washburn.edu
