Public Health

How can we leverage the latest technology to track disease outbreaks? How can we ensure safe drinking water in all communities? How will climate change continue to affect public health? If you want to play an essential role in helping answer these questions and more, a degree in public health from Alverno will set you on a path to make an impact on health care and overall quality of life for communities both near and far.

Alverno allows you to customize your curriculum to match your professional goals and personal passions by offering three concentrations within the rapidly growing public health field: health education, health science, and policy and advocacy.

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In the classroom

You will choose between three concentrations to focus on:

  • Health education: You will gain knowledge for wellness and become a strong, creative communicator and collaborator to help entire communities live healthier lives.
  • Health science: The study of biology, with emphasis on human health and diseases, will give you a strong foundation to identify, collect and interpret biological data needed to address public health concerns.
  • Policy and advocacy: With a combination of social science, communication and humanities courses, you will acquire the knowledge, skills and strategies to effectively engage in the political arena on health inequities.

You’ll thrive in small classes led by dedicated faculty mentors who have deep experience in public health. We curate learning to meet your individual needs, connect you with people in the field and help you set personal goals. You are not just a student to us — you are the future of public health and a lifetime member of our community.

Beyond the classroom

You'll complete at least one internship, helping you gain hands-on experience and start networking to build your career. You'll benefit from Alverno's strong community partnerships with such organizations as the Milwaukee Health Department and Ascension Wisconsin. Alverno’s Career Studio, which is connected to more than 2,000 partner sites, can help you find the right internship for you.

Our program is also excellent preparation for graduate work in public health, nursing, medicine and adult education.

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Public Health + The Alverno Difference

We create women leaders who are ready to succeed and shatter ceilings. At Alverno, you’ll find an empowering, supportive environment that helps you achieve your best. Employers are often impressed by Alverno graduates’ ability to answer questions thoughtfully, think critically, synthesize information and integrate diverse perspectives — all essential skills in the public health field.

Instead of letter grades, we focus on your personal development and real-world skills — equipping you with the communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills you need to thrive. Our learning approach is centered around the 8 Abilities, which will set you apart from the crowd.

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