QU Launches New Public Health Program
Quincy University is launching a new degree program in public health in the fall of 2021 to help students prepare for careers in the growing healthcare industry. As evidenced by the recent worldwide pandemic, public health professionals play a critical role in keeping communities safe. Quincy University will now provide students with an avenue to make a difference in that field.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is designed to prepare students to work and serve in the public health field with the opportunity to specialize in various areas, including behavioral science, health education, environmental health, epidemiology and health service administration. With its interdisciplinary approach, public health majors can fill a variety of positions, including scientists, behaviorists, managers and leaders. Public health professionals are needed in government, the public and private sectors, academia and non-profit settings.
Public health is a rapidly growing area of the health industry. Experts attribute the growth to the aging population of the United States, increased focus on preventative medicine, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and increased stress levels of members of society.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in public health are on the rise and are projected to grow an average of 13 percent from 2019 to 2029.
“At QU, we recognize the continuing demand for healthcare professionals, both nationally and regionally,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., QU president. “This undergraduate major will prepare students for many different healthcare careers and meet important community needs. I am excited about this new opportunity for our current and prospective students.”
“The addition of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health will be great for QU students,” said Kimberly Hale, Ph.D., chair of science and technology. “I expect many students who are already interested in clinical fields to double major or even minor in public health. With the repercussions of COVID-19, I look for students to be intrigued by this major and the ability to gain a better understanding of the current pandemic and ways to decrease the chances of future pandemics.”
This new degree program aligns with QU’s Success by Design initiative, which prepares students for success through a combination of in-class and out-of-class experiences matched to the unique needs of each individual student. Every student has a customized, four-year success plan developed in collaboration with faculty advisors and student success coaches. The Success by Design initiative aids students in graduating on time and preparing them for personal and professional success.
Enrollment for this new public health program is open now, with classes starting in August 2021. Interested students should contact, Tom Oliver, M.L.A., vice president for enrollment management, at 217-228-5432 ext: 3351 or oliveth@quincy.edu.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design.