The University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) School of Public Health launched an innovative Bachelor of Science program in Public Health Science at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Fall 2009. The program was developed exclusively for USG to prepare students for careers in the dynamic and expanding field of public health. It is the first in the state of Maryland and one of the few undergraduate Public Health degree programs in the country that features a rigorous science foundation, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine. At the close of two successful years, the program’s first 5 graduates will accept their degree on May 19th at the School of Public Health’s home campus in College Park, Maryland.
Students prepared for variety of career paths
Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in areas such as epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, public health advocacy, or working for the government at the local, state, federal or international level. The program offers students a broad overview of public health science, giving exposure to many aspects of public health like nutrition, global health, emergency preparedness, and health policy. Future plans for the program’s first graduates include pursuing graduate education in medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry, or to complete a master’s degree in public health.
“Whether it is working on prevention and wellness at a hospital or conducting public health research at a major government contractor, our students have been exposed to the variety of options in the rapidly expanding public health field,” said Dr. Jennifer Todd, Program Director of the Public Health Science program at USG. “These students possess incredible passion for the health of our nation and our world. I know they will go on to make a difference in their communities no matter which path they choose.”
A promising future for Public Health Science at USG
The program has enrolled nearly 40 students to date, and developed an exciting curriculum presented by highly qualified and experienced faculty. Some wonderful partnerships have been formed with local non-profit and government agencies where students are placed for internships, including Adventist Healthcare, the Dwelling Place, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Students in the program have also established a public health club, Students Engaged in Public Health (SEIPH), to raise awareness on campus of important public health issues. SEIPH has launched an annual Public Health Awareness Day at USG and is planning additional wellness activities for the USG community, including a 5K run in Fall 2011.