Public Health Degree

The public health program at Wichita State University prepares students for careers as a public health program manager, educator, nutritionist, epidemiologist, biostatistician, environmental health scientist, and more. The program focuses on planning, managing, and evaluating public health care services, as well as functioning as public health officer. Program courses include: epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventative medicine, health policy and regulations, health care service, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, and professional standards and ethics. Get more details below including other Kansas colleges that offer public health degrees.

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Wichita State University

4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100, Wichita, KS

Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, was founded in 1895 as Fairmont College by Reverend Joseph Homer Parker. The school began by offering a faith based education to locals and those interested in attending a Christian institution. In 1926 the city voted and the school became a non-denominational institution and changed its name to the Municipal University of Wichita. The school operated as a municipal institution until 1964 when became one of the six universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The school is one of three public research universities in the state, and has grown from humble beginning into a large college dedicated to maintaining its partnership with the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas.

Academics

Wichita State University offers a large number of programs and majors for its current and future students. The school believes in the importance of practical experience based learning alongside more traditional classroom based education. The school has maintained a policy of low cost, high quality education. Students are encouraged to explore educational opportunities and utilize WSU's resources to the fullest.

Programs offered include:

• Art History
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• Finance
• Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Social Work
• Pre-Law

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Wichita State University must fulfill one of the following requirements: Have an ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 980, be in the top third of one's graduating class, or have GPA of 2.0 or higher in required pre-admission courses. GED students must have a minimum of 550 on each test portion, and an overall score higher than 2550. Interested students may complete and submit an application, providing all pertinent documents, including transcripts, for review. Once submitted, the admissions office will look over the application and respond as quickly as possible.

Financial Aid is available in the form of loans, grants, work study programs and scholarships. The school disburses over $100 million a year in aid.  Students in need of financial aid may begin the process by contacting the financial aid office for assistance. Scholarships may require separate applications to be submitted to the bodies responsible for the scholarship, and are awarded for a variety of reasons.

Organizations

Students are encouraged to participate in one or more of the large number of student organizations at Wichita State University. Students who pursue their interests through such organizations will encounter other individuals with similar interests and develop bonds that extend beyond the classroom, and often beyond graduation. Such organizations also offer insight into how groups operate, the process of decision making by committee, and the various actions necessary to realize an event. Student organizations are an important part of the college experience, offering a network of people who may support one another academically and socially.

Some organizations at WSU:

• Engineers Without Borders
• Experimental Anthropology Research Society
• Wichita State University Ceramics Guild
• Wichita Jazz Festival Student Planning Committee
• Students on Film

Recreation

Wichita State University offers a variety of options for students in regards to recreational activities. Some students may be inclined to join intramural sports teams, while others may pursue maintaining their health through exercise, and others may seek to casually compete in a variety of games.

Intramural sports and workout facilities are handled through the Heskett Center, a 160,000 square foot facility. For students interested in more casual pursuits, the Rhatigan Student Center basement houses bowling lanes and billiard tables, as well as a variety of arcade games. WSU understands the importance of recreation among students, and supports them through on campus facilities, and off campus events. Students are encouraged to partake of these resources in order to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy mindset.

Students Enrolled in the Public Health Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Wichita State University offers a post-baccalaureate certificate program in public health.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Medical and Health Services Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, medical and health services managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 16.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Wichita, KS
  • Total Employment: 710
  • Average Hourly Rate: $38.00
  • Average Annual Salary: $79040

Health Educators

Description

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May serve as a resource to assist individuals, other healthcare workers, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Community Health Workers

Description

Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. May provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs, and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).