Public Health

Shaping healthier communities

Understand and improve the well-being of communities and populations with Public Health. Discover insights into social, economic and environmental factors that influence health. This major equips individuals with the knowledge to address these complex issues and play a key role in developing and implementing policies and programs that promote health and prevent diseases. Contribute to the overall health of society and make a meaningful impact on the health, tackle health disparities and promote a healthier future for all.

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Featured Courses

Here is a sampling of a few courses that might pique your interest.

PHMM2110 History of Public Health

This course examines the history of medicine and health from the colonial era to the present. It takes a cultural and social perspective. Emphasis will be paid to the ways in which politics, cultural beliefs, and religious values have been an integral part of the history of medicine and public health. Readings, lectures and discussion will focus on the practice of medicine; they will examine healers, patients, therapies, and medical innovations. We will cover such topics as the emergence of the medical profession, the rise of the hospital, the roles of the laboratory and medical technology in modern medicine, and the range of choices faced by physicians and patients in their efforts to promote health.

PHMM4110 Public Health Studies I

An introduction to conceptual and ethical issues concerning medicine and biotechnology, including topics such as the definition of death and disease, the definition of personhood, abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, reproductive technology, patients' rights, human and animal research, organ transplants, cloning, biotechnological enhancement, and health care rights.

Browse all Public Health courses

Degree Options

Discover your degrees, minors, concentrations and certification options available for this field of study.

B.A. in Public Health

Students can also choose to pursue concentrations in policy or research to earn a B.A. in Public Health - Policy or B.A. in Public Health - Research.

B.S. in Public Health

Students can also choose to pursue concentrations in policy or research to earn a B.S. in Public Health - Policy or B.S. in Public Health - Research.

Job Growth Projected at 13.1%

Job opportunities for graduates in this degree are expected to grow by 13.1% over the next 10 years.

Health Beyond the Hospital

Health plays a role in the operations of virtually every business and industry. Public Health allows you to pursue a variety of opportunities beyond traditional healthcare roles.

Community Health is Important

About 50 percent of Americans suffer from chronic health conditions. Many do not get proper care due to socioeconomic factors.

Our distinctive strengths

The Public Health program is intended to prepare students for a wide range of career options including Healthcare Administrator, Health and Safety Engineer, Environmental Specialist and Health Educator. Furthermore, it provides students with a pathway toward graduate programs in Public Health, Population Health and Epidemiology. Lastly, when supplemented by Medical School requirements, it provides an excellent course of study for Pre-Medical students who wish to understand the broader context of a physician’s work or those who wish to work in healthcare policy. This program includes online courses as part of the curriculum through our partnership with Rize. These offer students cutting-edge curriculum, greater scheduling flexibility, access to nationwide experts in the field, and access to even more resume-ready skills.

Provides students with a pathway towards graduate programs in Public Health, Population Health and Epidemiology
Job opportunities for graduates in this degree are expected to grow by 13.1% over the next 10 years.
A portion of the degree requirement coursework will be online.

Gain hands-on experience

Students majoring in Public Health are required to do a 4-credit-hour internship. This internship can be done in one semester or spread out over several semesters. Opportunities include research/internships with one of Millsaps’ own professors, Population Health professors at UMMC and the State Health Department across the street. In addition, Millsaps students can volunteer at the Evers Care Clinic at UMMC where they will learn how supportive-social services are intertwined with healthcare for those with healthcare disparities.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Pathways

Our curriculum emphasizes problem solving and critical thinking skills essential to any career (and therefore any Pathway), as well as scientific writing and experimentation skills that may be especially critical to students interested in any of our six Pathways tracks.

Learn More About Pathways

Study Abroad

All Millsaps students can take advantage of our study-abroad classes. Millsaps College is ranked as one of the best study-abroad programs in the country! Recent Public Health opportunities included a Community Health in the Maya course. Check out all the opportunities.

Upcoming Study-Abroad Classes