Public Health Eastern Illinois University

Overview

The Public Health programme at Eastern Illinois University offers students a robust foundation in protecting and improving the wellbeing of diverse populations. This Bachelor of Science degree combines rigorous academic theory with practical, real-world experience to prepare graduates for a rapidly expanding global workforce.

Students can choose between two distinct pathways: Community Health or Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing for double majors in fields such as psychology or human services. This adaptability ensures that every student can tailor their education to specific career aspirations.

A defining feature of the programme is the mandatory 320-clock hour internship.

Why Public Health at Eastern Illinois University?

The university provides a supportive environment with dedicated academic advising and a specialist internship coordinator. Faculty members are deeply committed to student growth, often facilitating independent research projects even for first-year students. This culture of mentorship helps students present findings at national conferences.

The Emergency Management track is a FEMA-approved programme, making it an excellent choice for those pursuing careers as first responders or disaster relief specialists. Furthermore, the university offers an Accelerated Master’s Degree option, enabling high-achieving undergraduates to begin postgraduate study during their final year.

Facilities and partnerships extend across the region, with established links to organisations like the American Red Cross and various health systems. These connections provide a wealth of resources for research, volunteering, and professional development from the very first day on campus.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 13037 per year
• National fee: USD 10430 per year
• Local fee: USD 10430 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Personal Health
• Community Health
• Health Literacy
• Research Methods
• Human Diseases
• Health Care Delivery Systems
• Epidemiology
• Health Behaviors
• Planning Health Programs
• Health Administration
• Applied Health Communication
• Disaster Preparedness
• Health Citizenship
• Motivational Interviewing
• Cultural Diversity in Health
• Human Sexuality
• Women’s Health
• Drugs and Society
• Health and Aging
• Complementary & Integrative Medicine

Careers with Public Health

Graduates are well-positioned for roles in a field with projected growth of nearly 20% over the coming decades. Potential career paths include health education, emergency planning, and healthcare administration. Many students find immediate employment through their internship placements in various public and private sectors.

Recent alumni have secured positions at prestigious organisations such as FEMA, the American Diabetes Association, and the Chicago Housing Authority. Others work within major medical centres, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Advocate Christ Medical Center, or serve in governmental health departments across the country.