Public Health Programs

Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. Public Health practitioners focus on the health of a community before they become sick rather than the health of an individual after they are sick. Public health professionals analyze how personal choice and the environment affect health, in order to develop programs that protect the health of your family and community.

Fort Lewis is the first undergraduate public health program in the State of Colorado. A major in public health is a mix of various fields of study including basic science, economics, sociology, anthropology, mathematics, communications, psychology, and many others. The degree program at Fort Lewis is composed of a core of courses that covers a basic public health curriculum, and additional courses that give students the ability to pursue areas of interest to them.

For information on the public health major, please see: Public Health Major/Minor

Pre-Requisite Course Work for Graduate Study in Public Health

 

Graduate degree programs in public health may have different prerequisite coursework, so please check with the specific school you are interested in. Prerequisite courses recommended for entry into graduate Public Health programs at institutions beyond Fort Lewis College:

  • Social and behavioral sciences (sociology, anthropology, psychology) - 6-9 credit hours
  • Statistics (Math 201; will have a new course number beginning in Fall 2016 so please check with an advisor)
  • General Biology (Bio 106 and lab, Bio 113 and lab)
  • General Chemistry (Chem 150 and lab, Chem 151 and lab)
  • Microbiology (Bio 208 and lab)
  • Nutrition (ES 353)
  • Bachelor's degree in any area
  • Some programs require a 3.0 GPA
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Application Process & Timeline

 

Most Public Health programs begin in the fall, and have individual application deadlines. You must have completed the Graduate Record Exam prior to submitting an application. Check with individual programs for application deadline dates and submit your application materials, transcripts, and letters of recommendation early.

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