Prof Kidder talking to a group of students who are facing away from the camera. Photo Credit: Sean Garcia

Major & Minor

Public Health & Society

Embark on this exciting journey with us and become a pioneer in shaping a healthier, more equitable world.

Public Health & Society offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding health. We address questions about how health intersects with history, economics, politics, and culture, as well as biology, environment, and ecology. Students tackle contemporary health issues such as:

What are the major threats to human health today?
How do societies identify, monitor, and respond to these threats?
How do biological factors interact with social, cultural, economic, environmental, and political factors to influence health?
Why do some populations experience poorer health than others?
Why do public health interventions sometimes face resistance?

In this program, students develop critical reading, effective communication, and a broad understanding of public health and its social contexts, both historically and in the present day.

Major & Minor

Public Health & Society Major

The Public Health & Society Major is perfect for students who want to do a deep dive into the expansive field of public health. The major contains three parts: Required Courses (12 credits), Elective Credits (18 credits), and APEX (4 credits). APEX, Advanced Practical Experience in Public Health, can be either a community internship or a directed research project. There are options to complete the APEX requirement in Saint Louis or as part of study abroad!

Major Requirements

Public Health & Society Minor

The Public Health & Society Minor is ideal for students who want to add a public health lens their studies. The minor contains two parts: Required Courses (9 credits) and Elective Credits (9 credits).

Minor Requirements

Careers in Public Health

There is a lot you can do within the field of public health.

Whether your goal is to work directly with communities, conduct innovative research, or shape public health policies, a degree in Public Health & Society provides the essential knowledge and skills to create meaningful change. Discover possible career paths and browse resources to make you career-ready.

Explore Careers

Electives

Whether you decide to pursue a Public Health & Society major or minor, you will have to take required courses and elective courses.

You have the freedom to choose from over 150 elective courses, allowing you to truly 'choose your own adventure' as you navigate your academic journey. Whether your interests lie in environmental health, global health, medicine, history, or research, you can tailor your coursework to match your passions and career aspirations. By selecting electives that resonate with your interests, you are empowered to create a unique and personalized path through the Public Health & Society program.

Electives Organized by Topic

Full List of Electives

Study Abroad

Public Health & Society highly encourages students to participate in study abroad opportunities. We invite you to explore our programs and wish you success as you embark on your international experience!

Learn more about study abroad

Additional Resources

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is your guide to getting started

Major Requirements

Curriculum requirements and APEX information

Minor Requirements

Curriculum requirements for the minor

Explore Careers

There is a lot you can do within the field of public health

APEX: Advanced Practical Experience in Public Health

Learn more about this internship or research project that is required for all our majors

3-2 MPH Program

Planning to continue your education with an MPH?

APEX: Advanced Practical Experience in Public Health

Public Health & Society provides undergraduate students with a foundation focusing on public and global health and how issues of equity, inclusion, and social determinants of health influence health outcomes. The Advanced Practical EXperience in Public Health (APEX) program bridges the gap between public health theory and practical application through either a community-based internship or a directed research project. APEX emphasizes real-world engagement, professional development, and impactful public health projects.

APEX is required for all Public Health & Society majors and is exclusively open to them. Learn more.