INFORMATION FOR
Prepare for a rewarding career addressing social, environmental, and behavioral factors that shape public health with a degree from William Paterson University. Our programs emphasize community public health practice, health equity, and a strong commitment to social justice, equipping students to address complex health challenges across diverse populations.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health Promotion provides a strong foundation in public health principles, health education, and community-based practice, preparing students for entry-level roles and continued study. The Master of Public Health (MPH) builds on this foundation with advanced, practice-oriented training in program planning, data analysis, leadership, and population health strategies, preparing graduates for professional roles and leadership positions across the public health workforce.
Both the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Promotion and the Master of Public Health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools and programs of public health. This accreditation affirms that our programs meet rigorous academic and professional standards and prepare graduates to contribute effectively in today's evolving public health landscape.
Graduates are prepared to work in public health agencies, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, and community-based settings to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and advance health equity at the local, national, and global levels.
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 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.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Four William Paterson alumni pursuing careers in public health shared their insights and advice on how to navigate the current job market during the College of Science and Health fall 2026 SHINE (Science and Health Industries Network for Excellence) event on campus on October 15.
The program, in its fourth year, is a collaboration between the College of Science and Health, the Career Development Center, and the Office of Institutional Advancement designed to connect WP students with alumni in a variety of science and health fields. Previous panels have focused on careers in the healthcare, technology, and pharmaceutical industries.
Nahshon Bolton ’18, Public Health Educator, Bergen County Department of Health; Shellecia Smith ’20, Doula Program Compliance Specialist, New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority; Christopher Merkel ’98, Health Officer, City of Atlantic City; and Beagy Fils-Aime ’17, Speaker Bureau Specialist, Jazz Pharma; spoke to students about their various roles, their paths to careers in public health, and their advice to graduates seeking to enter the field.
Bolton, who began as a biology major before switching to public health, described himself as an extrovert, and found that public health was a better fit. “I realized that there is a public health aspect to many organizations,” he said. In his current role, he works with many organizations making presentations about health issues. He encouraged students to think broadly about their potential career path. “I believe that public health educators serve as a translator of health information for a lot of people, which is very important today,” he said. Bolton, who was vice president of the SGA and helped re-vitalize the Public Health Club during his time on campus, encouraged students to join as many clubs and organizations as possible in order to build leadership skills.
Smith, who was a public health major, planned to pursue a career in a public health department. As a graduate who entered the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was given an opportunity to work in an immunization program, which led to a position at the New Jersey Department of Health. A training course she took to learn about how to be a doula became a passion and resulted in her current position training doulas throughout the state. “You have to be flexible and able to pivot,” she said. “Be curious; you never know what that might lead to.”
Merkel, who originally planned to major in nursing, says he always knew he wanted to help people, “and I found public health.” He began his career as an environmental health officer inspecting restaurants in rural Salem County, New Jersey. “I knew I wanted to be a health officer,” he said. Today, as the health officer for Atlantic City, he is immersed in large public health issues for underserved populations, from homelessness to substance abuse. “I don’t think you need to chart your path today, because it will change based on your experiences,” he added. He encouraged students to “get out there and start networking,” to acquire skills such as public speaking and listening, and “to advocate for the profession” in the face of cuts to government funding.
Fils-Aime, also a public health major, told the students that a job in the pharmacy at CVS during her junior year sparked her interest in the pharmaceutical field; an internship in marketing at a hospital cemented that interest. “Put yourself in spaces where you can go and learn,” she said. “Meet people who are like-minded and get involved. Make yourself a trusted partner.” She told the students to use LinkedIn as a vehicle to build connections and relationships, as well as attendance at professional events. “Who you are sitting next to right now may help you in the future.”
“Our alumni were once sitting in your seats, exploring their interests, and wondering where their skills might take them,” said Venkat Sharma, dean of the College of Science and Health. “Listen to their advice that might help you chart your own path.”
