UNT launches public health degree to meet need for ‘most in-demand jobs’

A new report shows that six of the eight jobs with the most job growth are in the healthcare industry.

DENTON (UNT), Texas – According to a new CareerCast report, health professions have the highest rate of job growth in the U.S. and the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service (HPS) is ready to prepare students for those careers with a new Bachelor of Science in Public Health. The degree program, which is housed in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, prepares professionals to promote health and identify, prevent and solve health problems at the community, local national and global levels.

Dr. Neale Chumbler, dean of the college who has a background in public health, says he’s excited to offer a degree program that will prepare students for these careers.

“The majority of these high-demand healthcare professions require only a bachelor’s degree and we’re here to prepare you for these entry level health jobs – in fields such as health education, environmental health, industry and government sectors, as well as other positions in hospitals,” Dr. Chumbler said. “These are all rewarding professions that you can jump into as soon as you walk out of our doors with your HPS public health degree in hand.”

The degree, which requires 39-credit-hours in the major, provides a broad perspective of public health and graduates may choose from a wide variety of specializations including:

  • Community health
  • Nutritional health
  • Epidemiology
  • Social and behavioral health
  • Policy and health management
  • Health communications and public relations
  • Environmental health
  • Health disparities

 

There also are options for minors in a variety of areas including addiction studies, applied gerontology, emergency administration and planning, and more.

Two new faculty will be joining HPS as part of the program – Dr. Chisom Odoh and Dr. Liam O’Neill. Dr. Odoh is a graduate from the University of Louisville and has just completed her post-doctoral fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. O’Neill will be transferring from the UNT Health Science Center School of Public Health.

“We are extremely proud of the rich diversity and interdisciplinary culture of our department. The addition of such brilliant scholars and experienced educators will further enhance our mission to be innovative educators and produce meaningful scholarship that will strengthen the professional capacity of our students and broaden services to the community at large,” said Dr. Chandra Carey, department chair and associate professor.

For more information on the new Bachelor of Science in Public Health, visit rhs.hps.unt.edu/publichealth or call (940) 565-2488.

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