Public Health Oakland University

Overview

The Public Health programme at Oakland University offers an immersive educational experience that transforms the local community into a dynamic classroom environment. Students engage directly with public health officials, nonprofit advocates, and healthcare providers to address pressing real-world challenges through a participatory research model.

This degree focuses on developing exceptional communicators and problem-solvers who are capable of navigating multicultural settings and complex data sets. By integrating hands-on service with academic rigour, the curriculum prepares graduates to make a tangible difference in community well-being and professional health sectors.

Why Public Health at Oakland University?

Oakland University maintains extensive partnerships across Southeast Michigan, providing students with a broad perspective on diverse health stakeholders. The programme is distinguished by its affiliation with the university medical school, offering unique access to clinical data, medical experts, and advanced research facilities.

The curriculum places a heavy emphasis on social justice and applied research, requiring sixteen credits of research-oriented coursework. Students work with underserved populations, including low-income families and immigrants, to develop skills in community empowerment and health education that are often overlooked in traditional degrees.

Instruction is led by faculty members who are active researchers and consultants within the field. Their professional connections facilitate high-level internships and service-learning activities, ensuring that the academic experience remains grounded in current industry practices and evidence-based solutions.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 22428 per year
• National fee: USD 22428 per year
• Local fee: USD 19972 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and integrates various interdisciplinary concepts. Modules may include:

• Health Policy
• Health Behaviour and Education
• Statistics
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Environmental Justice
• Social Determinants of Health
• Global Health Issues
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Public Health
• Diversity and Social Justice
• Child Development and Education
• Wellness Counselling
• Databases and Data Warehousing
• Physical Activity
• Nonprofit Organisation and Management
• Public Administration
• Public Budgeting and Finance
• Crisis Intervention

Careers with Public Health

Graduates are well-positioned for the rapidly expanding demand in the health sector, driven by ageing populations and evolving medical technologies. Employment opportunities are commonly found within government agencies, health insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies, and international research organisations.

Common career paths for graduates include roles in epidemiology, biostatistics, and hospital administration. Many alumni also find success in public policy development, environmental health monitoring, health education, and leadership positions within global nonprofit organisations or clinical service networks.