Public Health Major

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health

100% of public health majors participate in at least one internship, co-op, fieldwork or practicum.

As a public health major, you’ll gain real-world experience that helps you improve community health and make an impact. Get hands-on learning in labs and the field to build the skills you’ll need for your career or grad school.

Public Health Degree at a Glance

Program Type

Major

Mode of Study

On Campus

Internship

Guaranteed

Est. Time

4 Years

Start Terms

Fall, Spring

Accreditation

NECHE

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Spring OH

Spring Open House

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 
from 1:00 pm 
to 4:00 pm

At our Spring Open House, you'll attend academic breakout sessions, connect with members of our community, and take a tour of our beautiful New England campus.

The Public Health Major

Learn to analyze health issues, develop policies and create programs to prevent disease and promote health. You’ll be equipped to work in a variety of settings from hospitals and nonprofits to government agencies and research institutions – all with the goal of improving health outcomes on a larger scale.

What You'll Study

As a public health major, you’ll study a variety of topics to provide you with a well-rounded understanding of the impacts public health has on a global scale:

Anatomy and Physiology
Global Public Health
Nutritional Sciences
Health Behavior and Promotion
Epidemiology
Health Policy
Healthcare Systems
Biomedical Ethics
Ethics in Public Health
Environmental Health

Skills You'll Learn

As a public health major, you’ll develop a range of skills to tackle health challenges effectively, making a lasting impact on both individual and community health. Here are key skills you’ll learn:

Health Education
Cultural Competency
Communication Skills
Ethical Decision-Making
Crisis Management
Student using laptop sitting in the grass at Merrimack

Public Health Courses You'll Take

Global
Public HEalth

HSC 3103

Study biological, socioeconomic and environmental contributors to health and disease in populations around the world. Investigate the determinants of health, how health status is measured and review the burden of disease, risk factors and approaches to global cooperation.

Foundations of
Health Policy

HSC 3332

An introduction to health policy, this course will provide an overall understanding and analysis of a range of health policy issues and the US health care system, including health insurance, health economics, individual rights in health care and health care quality and access.

Health Behavior
and Promotion

HSC 2500

Explore and apply theoretically based principles and strategies to real-life cases. Emphasis is placed on improving students’ competency in understanding of health behaviors in the modern world and design of theory-based interventions to improve health behaviors.

See All Courses & Options Available to Public Health Majors

Public Health Major Requirements

General Education Requirements

In addition to the major requirements below, you will also need to complete Merrimack’s general education requirements. To see more details about the major, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.
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Sample Four-Year Schedule - Curriculum Guide

Wondering when you’ll take certain courses? Use the Curriculum Guide—a sample four-year schedule—to get a sense of what your path to graduation looks like.

Why Choose the Bachelor of Science in Public Health?

Merrimack’s Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences is an empowering decision for anyone passionate about health, science and making a real-world impact.

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE, GUARANTEED

You’ll have the chance to collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research or intern at top institutions like Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Children’s Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

HELP COMMUNITIES IN NEED

Design programs and policies that improve community health, reduce inequality and promote wellness. Take on pressing issues like fighting disease, bridging health gaps and solving environmental problems.

POSITIVE RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Public health is a vital part to our society's wellbeing. From climate change to global pandemics, public health majors will be consistently addressing future health challenges.

Career Outlook: Where Can a Public Health Degree Take You?

0 %
Career Outcomes Rate

94% of the undergraduate class of 2023 in Nursing & Health Sciences were either employed, participating in voluntary service or continuing their education within nine months of graduation.

0 %
Experiential Learning

100% of the undergraduate public health class of 2023 participated in at least one internship, co-op, clinical, practicum or research opportunity while at Merrimack. 

Graduate School

Northeastern University, Sacred Heart University, MCPHS and Merrimack are just some of the graduate programs Nursing and Health Sciences graduates are attending.

Jobs with a Public Health Degree

Upon completing our program, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue graduate study or a career in public health and related disciplines. Positions may include:

  • Public-health analyst
  • Hospital administrator
  • Epidemiologist
  • Biostatistician
  • Health inspector
  • Health educator
  • Marketer in a health-related organization
  • Practitioner

Where Merrimack Public Health Graduates Work & Intern

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Intern

St. Ann’s Home & School

Intern

Stonehill at Andover

Resident Care Associate

CVS Pharmacy

Pharmacy Technician

ReproDiscovery Lab

Research Assistant

Dartmouth College

Master’s of Public Health Program

Winchester Hospital

Laboratory Technician

Optima Sports Therapy

Rehabilitation Aid

Beyond the Classroom

See for Yourself

Programs Related to the Public Health Major

Explore other areas and where they can take you.

Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)

At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way!

Upcoming Events

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Info Session & Campus Tour

Monday-Friday & Most Saturdays

Attend a 20-minute info session led by an admission counselor and then take a student-led campus tour. Registration is required.

Merrimack College Awards & Recognition

U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2024)

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