Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where
they live, learn, work and play. With a bachelor's degree in public health, graduates
can make an impact on public health locally and globally, conducting research, educating,
and coordinating resources to prevent the spread of diseases.
Using real-world cases (such as those related to recent COVID-19 pandemic), field
work and practicum, students in Duquesne's public health program learn what it takes
to improve health care globally.
Duquesne's Public Health program follows the Accreditation Criteria for Standalone
Baccalaureate Programs in Public Health adopted by the Council on Education for Public
Health in 2016.
The Duquesne University Public Health program provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary
approach to addressing public health challenges. Through a combination of coursework,
research, and practical experiences, students develop the knowledge and skills necessary
to promote health, prevent disease, and improve the well-being of communities.
Make your mark on health care. There is a shortage of public health professionals
globally. The projected percent change in employment from 2019 to 2029 is 13% increase.
The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.
Public health workforce shortages even more critical in much of the developing world.
Despite representing 11% of the world's population and 24% of the global burden of
disease, sub-Saharan Africa has only 3% of the world's health workers and commands
less than 1% of the world's health expenditures.
Public health graduates have many career paths available to them, often in non-profit,
corporate, academic, government and hospital settings. Depending on the field you
intend to study, the average salary is $62,000 but ranges from $38,000 to $112,000.
Interested in becoming a Physician or Medical Professional?
Along with a scientific background, it is essential that future physicians and other
health professionals also understand Public Health and the humanistic perspective
of health care. Learn how we provide undergraduate students with the necessary academic
preparation and a unique and clinically-relevant education that embodies this concept.
The Duquesne University Public Health program provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary
approach to addressing public health challenges. Through a combination of coursework,
research, and practical experiences, students develop the knowledge and skills necessary
to promote health, prevent disease, and improve the well-being of communities.
HLTS 120 Elements of HS, Info Lit & Sci Terminology (2 credits)
MATH 225 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)
ECON 201 Intro to Microeconomics (3 credits)
Theology (3 credits)
PBHL 301 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credits)
PBHL 305 Social & Behav Change in Comm Health Ed (3 credits)
PBHL 310W Healthcare Law & Policy (3 credits)
HCE 255/PHIL-252/THEO-253 Health Care Ethics (3 credits)
MATH 335 Biostatistics II (3 credits)
Philosophy (3 credits)
PBHL 311 Clinical Processes (3 credits)
PBHL 320 Needs Assessment and Program Planning (3 credits)
PBHL 325 Introduction to Health Economics (3 credits)
PBHL 401W Research Methods in Public Health (3 credits)
Open Elective (3 credits)
PBHL 350 Public Health Fieldwork (1.5-3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Open Elective (3 credits)
PBHL 405 Health Promotion (3 credits)
PBHL 410W Public Health Capstone (3 credits)
PBHL-470 Environmental Toxicology (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Open Elective (3 credits)
*Students must complete at least one 1.5 credit Fieldwork experience; a 3-credit Fieldwork
experience is recommended. Public Health Electives must be approved by the Public Health Student Success Coach
or the Program Director.
BIOL 101/L Introduction to Life Processes/Lab (4/0 credits)
BRDG 101 First Year Writing I (3 credits)
HLTS 120 Elements of HS, Info Lit & Scientific term (2 credits)
CHEM 107 Chemistry in Today’s World (3 credits)
PBHL 201 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
BRDG 102 First Year Writing II (3 credits)
BRDG 105P/T/H Intro to Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)
MATH 225 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)
Philosophy (3 credits)
PBHL 301 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credits)
PBHL 305 Social & Behav Change in Comm Health Ed (3 credits)
PBHL 310W Healthcare Law & Policy (3 credits)
PBHL 325 Introduction to Health Economics (3 credits)
MATH 335 Biostatistics (3 credits)
PBHL 311 Clinical Processes (3 credits)
PBHL 320 Needs Assessment & Program Planning (3 credits)
PBHL 401W Research Methods in Public Health (3 credits)
Health-related PSYC or SOC (3 credits)
Open Elective (3 credits)
PBHL 350 Public Health Fieldwork (1.5-3 credits) *
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Open Elective (3 credits)
PBHL 405 Health Promotion (3 credits)
PBHL 410W Public Health Capstone (3 credits)
PBHL 470 Environmental Toxicology (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Public Health Elective (3 credits)
*Students must complete at least one 1.5 credit Fieldwork experience; a 3-credit Fieldwork
experience is recommended. Public Health Electives must be approved by the Public Health Student Success Coach
or the Program Director.
COMM 103 Exploring Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
COMM 114 Exploring Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
COMM 205 Argument in the Global Public Sphere (3 credits)
COMM 207 Exploring Leadership Communication (3 credits)
COMM 407 Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
COMM 484 Health Communication (3 credits)
ENV 456 Water & Environmental Development (3 credits)
HADM 101 Intro to Healthcare Administration (3 credits)
HADM 102 Intro to Healthcare Systems (3 credits)
HADM 205W Healthcare Research Methods (3 credits)
HADM 305 Healthcare Economics (3 credits)
HADM 308 Healthcare Information Management (3 credits)
HADM 390 Leadership in Healthcare (3 credits)
HADM 408 Project Management in Healthcare (3 credits)
HADM 414 Healthcare Marketing and Planning (3 credits)
HLTS 200 Disparities in Healthcare (3 credits)
HLTS 222 Global Perspectives of Healthcare - Portugal (3 credits)
IR 413W Human Rights & Security, Politics, Policy & Law (3 credits)
PBHL 401W Research Methods in Public Health (3 credits)
PBHL 405 Health Promotion (3 credits)
POSC 413 Human Rights: Politics, Policy & Law (3 credits)
SLP 245 Diss Acrs Wrld: Srch for Dgnty (3 credits)
SOCI 207 Sociology of Health and Illness (3 credits)
SOCI 219 Intro to Human Services ( 3 credits)
SOCI 415 Health, Illness & Social Policy (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, you'll have acquired the ability to:
Understand and apply foundational public health principles and biological sciences
to analyze health data using statistical methods.
Employ critical thinking to solve population health challenges through evidence-based
approaches and project implementation.
Communicate public health information effectively to diverse audiences using oral,
written, and technological methods.
Demonstrate ethical reasoning, integrity, and professionalism and understanding the
regulatory aspects of public health practice.
Exhibit cultural competence by engaging with diverse populations to address the social
determinants of health and disparities with sensitivity and respect.
Become a Preceptor/Clinical Instructor
A clinical preceptor is an experienced healthcare professional who trains students
in a real-world clinical setting. They act as mentors, role models, and supervisors,
providing hands-on instruction and feedback to help students develop the skills and
knowledge they need for their chosen healthcare field.
Want to study infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health and general epidemiology?
Look at our Bachelor of Science degree, an interdisciplinary program that focuses
on the scientific dimensions of health. While this degree can be used to start a career,
it can also serve as a steppingstone to medical schools, pharmacy schools, and other
health related professional programs.
If social, behavioral and community health aspects of public health, program planning,
development, and assessment are more in line with your interests, explore our Bachelor
of Arts degree.
Public health covers a broad range of disciplines and issues, including such topics
as environmental pollution, access to health insurance, behavioral health, substance
abuse, spread of infectious disease, bioterrorism, and obesity. The minor can serve as a precursor to further study in public health, other health professions,
or any fields in which the health of persons and populations is a relevant concern.