Program Overview

DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
DEPARTMENT
Health Sciences
Department Chair Name
Natalie The
DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT
Lonita Stegall

What is a public health degree?

In a world upended by the global pandemic, our collective attention toward public health has never been greater. But public health encompasses far more than infectious diseases that wreak havoc on populations. A degree in public health is a multidisciplinary course of study aimed at promoting and protecting the health of people and the communities in which they live, learn, work and play.

Why study public health at Furman?

As a public health major at Furman, you’ll chart a course that focuses on prevention, seeks to limit health disparities and promotes health care equity, quality and accessibility. You’ll join a small cohort of students in the curriculum, which is grounded in the philosophy of and core competencies of public health. On top of coursework, you’ll engage in co-curricular seminars where you’ll make strides in self-discovery – understanding your strengths and what roles you might play in the field. From participating in group mentoring sessions to community engagement activities and internships, you’ll come away from the public health program with direction, purpose and clarity. Plan a visit to Furman’s beautiful campus or start your application today.

How will you learn?

As you progress through the major with your public health cohort, you’ll take on a capstone experience in the form of an internship or research project with a faculty member. Leading up to the capstone project you’ll identify your values, find out what you really care about, and discover personal and career goals. From there, we’ll help you target local and national organizations to work with or to base your research around. For example, you may want to explore nonprofits or other firms involved in cancer research, advocacy, policy or epidemiology. Your cohort and the faculty who lead it will help you make those next steps. As you move closer graduation, you’ll polish your curriculum vitae, identify jobs and where they are located, or investigate a specialty area at graduate school, a choice made by about 40% of our public health alumni.

Service learning is an integral part of the public health program – another way to intersect with the community and gain insights into areas of interest. Learn more about the abundant options for undergraduate research, internships and study away opportunities available to all majors.

Featured public health courses

A multidisciplinary approach to education paired with essential co-curricular activities give you a leg up in the world of public health.

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  • 100%
    public health majors involved in at least one engaged learning experience
  • 86%
    public health majors who participate in at least one internship
  • 31%
    public health majors who are double majors

What our students say

“Public Health at Furman has allowed me to learn the needs of our world through new lenses and challenged me to explore them through impactful experiences. I am grateful for the faculty for always being so supportive and encouraging in every endeavor we pursue in and out of the major.”
– Riya Misal ’22, B.S., public health

Our faculty

Anna Cass

Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Shaniece Criss

Associate Professor of Health Sciences; Director of the Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies (MAAES)

Elizabeth Holt

Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Julian Reed

Professor of Health Sciences

Meghan Slining

Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Natalie The

Associate Professor and Chair of Health Sciences
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Public Health Major F.A.Q.

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