Public health is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to protecting and improving the health and well-being of communities at home and around the world. It includes disease prevention, health promotion, health policy and environmental health—but its scope extends far beyond. Public health intersects with business, medicine, water, crime prevention, housing, transportation, civil rights, politics, agriculture, nutrition, migration, war, climate, and much more.
 
Reflecting this complexity, the Program in Public Health & Society (PH&S) offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary undergraduate course of study that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address today’s public health challenges. The Public Health & Society program is the newest undergraduate study in Arts & Sciences. Its curriculum delivers the foundational principles of public health while also teaching the historical, cultural, ethical, biological, and social contexts in which health develops and is shaped.
 
After completing the required set of public health courses co-taught by faculty from Arts & Sciences and the School of Public Health, students pursuing the PH&S major or minor will tailor their academic journey through elective courses that align with their interests. These electives span fields such as environmental science, anthropology, biology, statistics and data science, business, biomedical engineering, gender studies, and more. Majors also complete a unique APEX capstone with a community practicum or research project.
 
A degree in Public Health & Society lays a strong foundation for careers in public health, medicine, business, government, non-profit advocacy, and policy – preparing students to lead in a complex and interconnected world.