Promote Wellness. Prevent Disease. Strengthen Communities.
Program Overview
The Public Health minor at Elizabeth City State University provides students with an understanding of how health is influenced by environmental, social, and behavioral factors. Offered through the Department of Health & Human Studies, this program introduces students to the principles of disease prevention, health promotion, and community health.
Students explore how public health systems operate at local, state, national, and global levels while developing the knowledge and skills needed to support healthier communities.
Who Should Minor in Public Health?
This minor pairs well with majors such as:
- Biology
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Business Administration
- Kinesiology
Students interested in health, community impact, and service-oriented careers will benefit from this program.
What You’ll Study
The Public Health minor includes coursework focused on core public health concepts and applied learning.
Core Areas of Study Include:
- Introduction to Public Health
- Community Health, Safety, and Disease
- Environmental Health and Sanitation
- Terrorism, Disasters, and Epidemics
These courses provide a foundation in understanding how health risks emerge and how communities respond to them.
Students also complete coursework in areas such as:
Public health practice and applied experiences
Epidemiology or health-related electives
Program Structure
This is a structured program that combines coursework with real-world experience.
Curriculum Includes:
Core Courses (12 credit hours)
- PHS 110 – Introduction to Public Health
- PHS 210 – Community Health, Safety, and Disease
- PHS 310 – Environmental Health and Sanitation
- PHS 410 – Terrorism, Disasters, and Epidemics
Field Experience (9 credit hours)
Students complete hands-on experiences in settings such as:
- Local public health agencies
- State or federal agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Private or international organizations
Elective (3 credit hours)
- Epidemiology or related health course
Total: Approximately 24 credit hours
This structure ensures that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in public health.
Career Opportunities
The Public Health minor develops skills in health awareness, data interpretation, communication, and community engagement, which are valuable across many career paths.
Students may pursue careers in:
- Public health agencies and community health organizations
- Healthcare support and health education
- Nonprofit and outreach programs
- Emergency management and disaster response
- Government and public service
This minor is especially beneficial for students interested in health-related careers, community service, or graduate study in public health or healthcare fields.
Hands-On Learning
A key component of the Public Health minor is applied, real-world experience.
Students will:
- Participate in field experiences with public health organizations
- Apply classroom knowledge in community and professional settings
- Explore health issues at local, national, and global levels
- Develop skills in observation, analysis, and problem-solving
These experiences help students understand how public health principles are implemented in real-world environments.
Interested in adding the Public Health minor?
Connect with your academic advisor to learn how this program fits into your degree plan.
