INFORMATION FOR
The Public Health Department prepares entry-level public health professionals and health educators who are able to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate a broad range of health promotion and disease prevention programs designed for a community’s diverse population.
If you would like a copy of the CEPH accreditation report, please e-mail Dr. Naa-Solo Tettey @ tetteyn@wpunj.edu
Alumni in science and health are employed in or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Public health (NACE)
Noteworthy Public Health Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The BS in Public Health Promotion is a professional preparation program that prepares students with the knowledge of public health practice, principles and methods, and the skills necessary to utilize these to improve the health of the public. The program prepares public health professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to function effectively in a public health setting and to attain the certified health education specialist (CHES) credential.
View requirements and course descriptions:
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The BS in health studies is a general program that prepares students with the health knowledge and skills necessary to understand and navigate the U.S. healthcare system, to be an informed consumer of health information, and to critically assess personal health behavior, health status, and associated health risks. The health studies program is ideal for those who want to learn more about health and wellness, but who do not wish to pursue preparation in a specific health profession such as public health, health education, or nursing.
The minor in public health introduces students to the core content and functions of the field of public health. Students may select from a variety of elective courses to build a program that enhances the student's major area of study and matches the student's personal interests in the health field.
Health studies is a broad term used to describe the study of health issues and behaviors with an emphasis on health at the level of the individual. As our collective understanding of human health is continually evolving, the minor in health studies provides students with broad exposure to current and evidence-based content through a variety of personal health courses. Students who minor in health studies will explore content in several foundational areas of personal health and wellbeing, and may select elective courses based on personal interests and needs.
Students majoring in physical education may elect to complete the School Health Teacher certification. This program is a five-course sequence that will enable the students to teach health upon graduation from the physical education program and successful completion of the Praxis exam. Student will study the core NJ health content areas: nutrition and fitness, human sexuality, drugs and alcohol, personal safety, and develop competence in teaching pedagogy and curriculum development.
WP’s internationally recognized BS in public health promotion is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Students become oriented to the profession of health education through completion of a 9-credit full-time internship during their final semester, at which time they also take the national certification examination to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). A BS in health studies is also available, which is ideal for those who have an associate’s degree in an allied health discipline and wish to complete their bachelor’s degree, advance their current healthcare career, or pursue graduate study.
In our public health programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
With a bachelor’s degree in public health promotion and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification, career pathways include environmental health, substance abuse prevention, health services research, and health management. Students who continue public health study at the graduate level pursue careers in fields such as epidemiology or health administration.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Public health graduate currently pursuing the MPH at New York University
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
William Paterson University in Wayne has been awarded a Trees for Schools grant of nearly $250,000 which will fund the planting of native trees and the creation of shaded outdoor learning and gathering spaces across campus.
“William Paterson is grateful to be awarded a Trees for Schools grant,” says President Richard J. Helldobler. “Our beautiful campus helps create a great educational and working environment for our students and employees, as well as serving as an outdoor laboratory and classroom, especially for environmental science and public health faculty and students. This funding will help support the work of these academic programs while also further enhancing campus aesthetics and climate resiliency.”
The Trees for Schools program is a joint effort of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Sustainable Jersey, and The College of New Jersey. Funded by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds, the Trees for Schools grant program will plant more than 4,500 trees at public schools, colleges, and universities across the state.
The project is directed by William Paterson professors Nicole Davi, environmental science, and Marianne Sullivan, public health, in collaboration with James Shelley, the University’s associate vice president for administration, as well as the institution’s physical plant operations team.
“This grant will significantly advance our efforts to recognize, expand, and steward the trees on our William Paterson campus, enhancing both environmental and educational outcomes,” says Davi, who adds that environmental science students will be actively involved in the project through coursework and extracurricular research such as conducting a campus-wide forest inventory, mapping existing and newly planted trees using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, estimating species diversity and richness, and calculating carbon storage over time. “These hands-on learning opportunities will enrich student understanding of urban forestry, climate mitigation, and biodiversity, while contributing real data to long-term campus sustainability goals.”
The project also will enhance the public health curriculum by adding to and extending learning modules covering the importance of trees to public health, says Sullivan. “In our undergraduate Environmental Determinants of Health course, we address the ways in which trees promote and enhance both mental and physical health,” she says. “We intend to extend the curriculum on the mental health benefits of trees and green spaces, including the role that native trees play in supporting pollinators, the health benefits of fruit and nut trees, and the ways in which Indigenous people use and have used native trees over time.”
The University plans to plant approximately 150 trees through the grant, including native species that produce edible fruit and nuts. Efforts will be made to plant trees in numerous locations on the main campus near parking lots to reduce heat island impacts and where possible near buildings to provide shade and reduce the need for air conditioning and associated carbon emissions.
The grant will cover costs associated with the purchase and planting of the trees including planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring, and maintenance over a three-year period. The tree plantings are scheduled for spring 2026.
“We are committed to maintaining these trees for at least the next 10-plus years, thanks to our dedicated grounds maintenance team and our established systems for tree care, “says Shelley. “We look to ensure long-term care and stewardship for future generations.”
The project aligns closely with ongoing faculty-led research at William Paterson focused on forest health, climate change, and native species restoration. The University is currently collaborating with the American Chestnut Foundation and SUNY-ESF to grow pure American chestnut trees on campus as part of a broader effort to restore this iconic species. Additionally, Professor Davi’s research in regional forests, including the Catskills and coastal forests of New Jersey and New York, examines how climate extremes are impacting tree growth and forest resilience. The expanded campus forest at William Paterson will provide additional research opportunities where students can directly engage in data collection and analysis, and forest stewardship.
