School of Public and
Population Health
The informational cards to the right showcase areas of study within the School of Public and Population Health. Click on the card to learn more about each degree.
Select two to four tags below to explore degree options based on your interests. Clear the filter to select a new assortment of tags and explore more options.
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Discover Your Path
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
(EOHS) Emphasis
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences is the branch of public health that protects us from harmful exposures in the natural, built, and work environments.
If you care about our health and the environment, the EOHS emphasis is a great choice for you!
Learn
You will learn from faculty experts in environmental exposure assessment, epidemiology, workplace health and safety policy, and environmental health practitioners with decades of experience.
Grow
Environmental health professionals work to prevent public health risks connected to events such as the wildfires in the western US, the water crisis in Flint, MI, historic disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. They also work to promote safe, high quality jobs for all, reduced work stress, and encourage work-life balance.
Health Studies
General Emphasis
The General Emphasis will provide you with a strong foundation in the field of health and wellness and explore career options along the way. With plenty of elective credits, you can tailor the degree to match your interests or take prerequisites for professional programs (such as physician assistant and pharmacy school).
Learn
Dive into the field of health and learn about human anatomy, medical terminology, healthcare delivery systems, nutrition, disease and health-related ethics. You’ll also gain skills in effective communication and teamwork.
Grow
Volunteer, job shadow, or intern with our industry partners to gain real-world experience and grow your professional skills. If you are interested in becoming a healthcare provider our Pre-Health Pathway Advisors will help you navigate your career goals.
Health Studies
HIIM Emphasis
The HIIM Emphasis combines the power of data and healthcare to improve patient outcomes. You will explore the systems and information technology used in the health industry to collect, manage, analyze and protect data.
Learn
You will take courses that combine business, information technology, management health sciences. Through lab work, you’ll get hands-on experience in managing health information.
Grow
In this data-driven field, it’s important to put your knowledge into practice. Gain experience through internships or volunteering with one of our community partners, from hospitals and clinics to data exchanges and insurance companies – and more!
Health Studies
Science Emphasis
If you are interested in working in healthcare – and possibly becoming a healthcare provider – the Science Emphasis was designed with you in mind! With this degree, you’ll check off a list of common prerequisite courses for professional programs (such as medical and dental school) while also gaining a broad perspective on the field of health.
Learn
Take classes that explore biology, chemistry, healthcare delivery systems, medical terminology and other foundational topics in health. Along the way, you will gain skills in collaboration, ethical decision making and research methods.
Grow
Grow your professional skills and gain valuable clinical experience through internships, job shadowing and volunteer opportunities. We partner with the top regional hospitals, clinics and health systems to offer real-world learning opportunities. Our Pre-Health Pathway Advisors are here to help support your career goals in becoming a healthcare provider.
Public Health
General Emphasis
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of individuals and communities. With a focus on social justice and community-level impact, the General Emphasis explores the best practices for working collaboratively and strategically to improve public health.
Learn
You’ll take courses in collaborating for change, social determinants of health, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and advocacy for vulnerable populations. This degree also has a certificate or minor option.
Grow
Volunteering or interning is a great way to improve your skills in systems thinking, community engagement and more! We partner with nonprofits, healthcare systems, and government agencies to provide learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom.
Public Health
HEP Emphasis
The goal of health education is to promote, maintain and improve individual and community health. If you are drawn to teaching, advocacy, or leadership, and want a career focused on social change, the HEP Emphasis is for you. You will explore the factors that influence health, and learn how to work collaboratively on public health issues.
Learn
In this hands-on degree, you will work with community partners and learn how to create effective health promotion programs. Your classes will provide an overview of public health, behavior change theory, communication, community collaboration, program planning and health systems. The grant proposal writing certificate is also woven into this degree!
Grow
A field-based internship is built into this degree and lets you put your learning into action. With dozens of community partners to choose from, you can gain experience working on the issues you are most passionate about.
BAPH Online
Build your knowledge of public health to promote positive social change through the BAPH online degree. If you already have an associates degree or at least 60 college credit hours, this flexible online program is for you! To help you navigate the program, you’ll be paired with an advisor who will support you along the way.
Learn
You’ll learn how to work collaboratively and strategically to improve the health of communities. Coursework includes collaborating for change, social determinants of health, health education, poverty and disease prevention. With the option to go part-time or full time, you can complete the program at a pace that’s right for you.
Grow
Improve your skills in analysis, critical thinking, and communication and gain valuable practical experience to adapt to the changing public health landscape. A degree in public health will open up new job opportunities and advance your career.
Gerontology
Minor
This minor provides students with a fundamental overview of Gerontology, the study of the human aging process. You’ll learn about the physical, mental and social changes of people as they age, which you can apply to a variety of health-related jobs.
Learn
This interdisciplinary minor combines classes in the fields of Health Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology. You will gain knowledge and skills in working with the aging population.
Grow
Combine your coursework with experiential learning at the Center for the Study of Aging, including internships, work-study and research opportunities.
Health Data Management
Minor
Build the skills necessary to manage health information systems to ensure health data remains private and secure, yet available to those who need it for appropriate care.
Learn
This 21-credit minor includes topics in managing health data systems, medical terminology, healthcare administration and revenue cycle management.
Grow
This minor serves any student interested in a career in the rapidly growing field of health informatics and information management and is particularly well suited for degrees in health sciences, public health, business and information technology management.
Health Data Management
Certificate
Discover what makes health data unique and build the skills necessary to ensure quality data is used to make informed decisions in our healthcare system.
Learn
You’ll take six courses for a comprehensive overview of health information management, including data management, medical terminology, healthcare administration and revenue cycle management.
Grow
This certificate provides you with a foundation in health data content and data integrity to build skills in the management, interpretation and presentation of data to a variety of stakeholders.
Principles of Grant Development and Proposal Writing
Certificate
Learn the fundamentals of preparing quality grant proposals through this undergraduate certificate. Grant funding is often critical to an organization’s budget, making this a valuable skillset if you are interested in a career working towards the public good. This certificate pairs particularly well with the Health Education and Promotion Emphasis!
Learn
In just four classes, you will gain skills in technical writing finding funding sources, proposal writing, strategic planning and project management.
Grow
Coursework in this certificate enables you to put your skills into practice by working on a real grant application, offering you experiential learning that benefits a local nonprofit!
Public Health
Certificate
Become an engaged and educated citizen who can address community health-related challenges with a certificate in public health. This online undergraduate certificate in public health creates a flexible path of study that complements your major — whatever that may be.
Learn
Classes explore pressing issues that affect populations in order to create healthier communities, address health disparities and improve global health.
Grow
Develop broad skills in analysis, critical thinking and communication within the lens of public health so you can effectively adapt with the quickly changing public health landscape.
Interested in medical, veterinary, physical therapy, or dental school — or more? The College of Health Science Advising office offers advising in several pre-health professional pathways. Learn more by visiting the Pre-Health Professional pathways website or schedule an advising appointment with one of the pre-health advisors.
Explore other health-related degrees with the College of Health Sciences. To explore all your degree options across Boise State, visit Major Finder.