OpportunitiesPublic Health Program

At Gustavus there are a range of opportunities for you to explore, engage, and advance your career in public health. Through internships, study-away programs, networking, professional development, and the option to create an individualized major, you can gain practical experience, develop important skills, build networks, and leave prepared to make meaningful contributions to the field of public health.

Discover Opportunities with Public Health

• Internship Opportunities You can gain practical experience, work alongside professionals in the field, and make meaningful contributions to local public health initiatives. Having local internship opportunities within the public health field provides Gustavus students with valuable hands-on experiences and the chance to make a direct impact on their own community. The Nicollet County Health Department Food Access Network and the University of Minnesota Extension in Mankato are just two excellent options for students seeking internships in public health.

• Study Away Studying abroad with a public health focus in places such as Prague, Copenhagen, India, Thailand, or Australia can provide you with a unique opportunity to gain a global perspective on public health issues. Credits earned while studying abroad can be transferred and applied toward completing the requirements for the Public Health minor. This allows you to explore different parts of the world and continue your academic progress in the field of public health.

• Networking and Case-Based Coursework Assignments in the core classes are frequently built on real-life examples of public health cases. This approach teaches you how to make data-driven decisions, use evidence-based sources, and identify and build strategies of success. In addition, public health professionals are regular guest speakers who will introduce you to different pathways of public health and provide career networking opportunities.

• Professional Development There are several professional organizations that offer regular educational and networking opportunities for Gustavus students. These include the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), the Minnesota chapter of SOPHE, the Minnesota Public Health Association, and the Minnesota Rural Health Association. You are encouraged to get involved while on campus, and we will help you make valuable career connections.

• Individualized Public Health Major If you want to delve deeper into the field of public health beyond a minor, you have the opportunity to work with our faculty to create an individualized Public Health major that aligns with your specific areas of interest and career goals. You can combine core public health courses with electives that focus on your particular areas of interest. This flexibility allows you to tailor your major to suit your unique passions, whether it's global health, epidemiology, health policy, community health, or any other aspect of public health. Faculty members can provide valuable insights, recommend relevant courses, assist in identifying research or internship opportunities, and support students in developing their academic and professional pathways.