Community and Public Health

Community and Public Health
Offered as a major (B.S.) and a minor

If you’re interested in a career in a health-related field and enjoy science and working with people, then consider earning a degree in Community and Public Health. Through courses and community engagement, you’ll learn the factors impacting health to prepare you for jobs and graduate studies in a range of fields from public health and health policy to law, social work, medicine, and allied health fields.

This major focuses on mitigating disease and confronting systemic physical and mental health challenges that impact communities both locally and globally, and encourages civic responsibility to make communities healthier.

Through coursework, you will explore the role of public health to better understand disease prevention, engage in policy-making, and improve the well-being and health of individuals and communities. You will learn the multiple perspectives of public health including:

environmental disasters
water safety
infectious diseases
chronic diseases
health equity
pandemics

Senior year culminates with a practical internship experience to launch students into the career of their choice.

To view degree requirements, click the "Academic Catalog" button, navigate to "Programs by Area: Majors and Minors," and select your program.

Academic Catalog

Biological Sciences Department

Nursing Department

Psychology Department

Sociology & Social Work Department

Jean School of Nursing & Health Sciences

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The Community and Public Health major brings together what is already distinctive about Saint Anselm College—the promotion of academic excellence through experiential and community-engaged learning with strong academic programs that provide students with interdisciplinary opportunities for learning across various areas of public health, including health promotion and disease, health policy, social determinants of health, and environmental health.

— Professor Elizabeth Rickenbach, Community and Public Health faculty leader

Opportunities to Build Essential Skills

Through opportunities in-and out-of-the-classroom, you will explore the various facets of community and public health. You’ll sharpen your purpose and potential to better the world and graduate ready to improve the health of individuals and those in your community.

Research

Community Engagement

Student playing cards with an elderly woman

Working in the Community

Courses in community and public health include hands-on time in the local community. Students volunteer their time at organizations like Girls, Inc. and Easter Seals engaging with, learning from, and supporting community partners and their constituents.

Learn more about our nationally recognized Meelia Center for Community Engagement →

Adeline Clifford ’26
Community and Public Health and Psychology Major

Addie’s time working within the local community has given her many opportunities to see public health challenges and solutions in action. Her courses and out-of-the-classroom experiences have confirmed that community and public health is the major for her.

Studying Community and Public Health

Professor Beth Rickenbach, Ph.D., explains how our community and public health program gives students the tools to help solve complex health challenges.