As a Public Health major, you will explore the history and principles of public health, community health, public health leadership, health promotion, marketing, multicultural populations, health informatics and health policy, all within a rigorous curriculum.

All Public Health majors complete a 150-hour internship with a supervisor who is a public health professional. This provides you with practical learning experiences to complement your studies and prepares you for a smooth transition to employment or advanced studies.

1. Health Education Specialist

The Health Education Specialist concentration is a 25-credit program that, upon graduation, allows graduates with a degree in Public Health to sit for the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis credentialing exam to become a certified health education specialist (CHES). 

The PH/CHES bachelor’s degree can be completed in three years or less with some summer and winter session coursework. Health education specialists develop research-based programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being, the prevention of disease, and how to modify health behaviors to extend lifespans.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that health education specialist jobs will grow by 7% by 2032, faster than the average of all occupations. The median salary in 2022 for an HES with a bachelor’s degree was $60,000.



2. Pre-Occupational Therapy

The pre-Occupational Therapy concentration in Public Health supplies the prerequisite courses necessary to enter St. Bonaventure’s master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy. Students will graduate in five years with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a master’s degree in OT.

Interested Public Health majors can complete both concentrations concurrently within a 4-year timeline without the need to complete summer or winter coursework. Students who prefer not to accelerate their Public Health bachelor’s degree by taking summer or winter session courses can still take the OT concentration in Public Health, making it a 4+2 program. 

The median salary in 2022 for an occupational therapist with a master’s degree was $93,180, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Meeting a demand for skilled, ethical practitioners

The public health field relies heavily upon its practitioners and professionals to exercise sound judgment and reasoning, which is in keeping with St. Bonaventure's Catholic Franciscan heritage.

We address questions of ethics from a health perspective as part of our commitment to developing knowledgeable, skilled, compassionate and ethical individuals who value individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service to others.

The public health field is booming and in constant need of new professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of public health service managers to grow by 18 percent over the next several years, and an 11 percent growth rate for health educators and community health workers. The demand for bachelor's level health professionals is particularly high, notes the Educational Advisory Board.

Public health offers a variety of career positions, depending on your interests and skills. There is a need for community health workers, disaster preparedness coordinators, environmental health specialists, health educators, health promotion specialists, and public health program coordinators.

More than 12 percent of Americans live below the poverty level and more than 8 percent of them have no health insurance, statistics that support the steady demand for professionals. As a public health major you will be prepared to address these and other challenges facing the public health industry.

Kiran Sharma, BSPH, MPH candidate
Academic Adviser
 
Kiran Sharma is an alumnus of St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health. Originally born in India and now based in Sayre, PA, Kiran brings a strong commitment to improving population health, with interests in women’s health and the prevention and management of infectious diseases.

Her passion for community health was further cultivated through her work with the Tioga County Health Department, where she supported local health initiatives, contributed to communicable disease surveillance, and assisted in health education efforts. Kiran’s work is driven by a desire to advance health equity and promote evidence-based interventions that make a lasting impact on underserved populations.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Kiran enjoys a variety of activities that keep her grounded and inspired. She loves cooking, swimming, going for walks, listening to music, and traveling to experience new cultures and perspectives.

Kiran looks forward to mentoring and guiding students throughout their academic journey. 
 
 
Shane Lehman, BSPH, MPH candidate
Academic Adviser
 
Shane Lehman is a proud alumnus of St. Bonaventure University, where he earned his B.S. in Public Health in 2025 and is now continuing his education as a Master of Public Health candidate. Originally from Corning, NY, Shane’s academic and professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to service, wellness, and leadership. He currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence, bringing a disciplined, mission-focused mindset to both his public health work and the classroom.
 
As an undergraduate, Shane was active in student government, Army ROTC, and faculty wellness programming—experiences that deepened his appreciation for health equity, team-building, and community-based intervention. He looks forward to supporting students in their own academic journeys through mentorship and advising.
 
Outside of his professional life, Shane enjoys weightlifting, spending time outdoors, and reading across a variety of topics.

Program information

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Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The major in Public Health prepares students to succeed in a public health environment or to pursue graduate studies in related fields.

Degree requirements and a four-year plan for the Public Health major

Minor in Public Health

For non-majors, the Public Health minor provides students with insight into the broad range of public health issues in the world today and their influences on daily life.

Requirements for a minor in Public Health

Minor in Health Education Specialist

The Health Education Specialist minor allows non-Public Health majors the ability to sit for the national exam to become credentialed as Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES).

Requirements for a minor in Health Education Specialist

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