Public Health
Why Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership At Valpo?
Grounded in commitment, we radiate community impact. Our bachelor of science in integrated public health and healthcare leadership program is deeply rooted in the Valpo tradition of humility and servant leadership, helping students discover their joy in promoting healthy, disease-free communities.
Interdisciplinary courseworks, hands-on methodologies, and engagement with real-world public health initiatives begin day one, preparing curious first-year students to graduate as entry-level leaders and practitioners. Combined with the cutting-edge resources, faculty mentorship, and multi-faceted journey of spiritual awakening offered by the College of Nursing and Health Professions, earning your public health degree at Valpo is the first step toward an even brighter future.
Public Health and Healthcare Leadership Majors
Starting in fall 2025, Valpo will offer future healthcare leaders interested in public health two accelerated pathways:
Our dynamic bachelor of science in integrated public health and healthcare leadership is designed to be completed in just three years – shaving one year off the traditional undergraduate experience.
Students who want to take their education a step further and broaden their professional horizons can enroll in our unique 3+1 pathway toward a master of public health (MPH), which earns them two degrees in the time it usually takes to earn one. This interdisciplinary program is an opportunity to dive deeper into public health and focus on epidemiology to analyze health risks, track disease patterns, and improve health outcomes.
Both pathways prepare Valpo graduates to shine in governmental, nonprofit, and private sectors of healthcare.
Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership Highlights
100%
of all students are engaged in experiential learning activities.
3+1
Undergraduate students in our integrated public health and healthcare leadership program who maintain a 3.0 GPA are eligible to enroll in graduate-level courses starting their third year – preparing them for a seamless transition into their MPH at the start of the following year.
97.1%
of graduates from the College of Nursing and Health Professions are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation
INTEGRATED PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Our bachelor of science in integrated public health and healthcare leadership program is designed to emphasize evidence-based practice, applied research, and collaborative projects that culminate into a hands-on practicum experience during senior year.
Aligned with Valpo’s core values, the College of Nursing and Health Professions is dedicated to cultivating compassionate servant leaders through a journey of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth. Beginning in each student’s first year, our robust healthcare curriculum pairs with the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE) initiative, providing students with a diverse foundation in the natural sciences, social sciences, and liberal arts.
Out of the program’s 124-credit requirement, 27 credits focus solely on public health, 27 credits delve into healthcare leadership, and 12 credits are dedicated to interprofessional education. Students must complete the following curriculum to satisfy all degree requirements:
| Public Health: 27 Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| PHS 101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 Cr.* |
| PHS 121 | Environment and Health | 3 Cr.* |
| PHS 203 | Human Health and Disease | 3 Cr.* |
| PHS 310 | Prevention in Population Health | 3 Cr.* |
| PHS 255 | Comm Strats for Pub Hlth & Hlth Ldrship | 3 Cr.* |
| PHS 316 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 Cr.* |
| PHS 413 | Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Factors in Healthcare | 3 Cr* |
| PHS 421 | Environmnt Hlth for a Sustainable Future | 3 Cr* |
| PHS 460 | Public Health Advocacy | 3 Cr* |
| Healthcare Leadership: 27 Credits | ||
| HCL 105 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Leadership | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 301 | Healthcare Strategic Planning | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 302 | Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 303 | Healthcare Mgt Info Systems | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 305 | Finance & Accnting for Healthcare Ldrs | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 306 | Quality Improvement in Healthcare | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 370 | Program Planning & Evaluation | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 417 | HR Management for Healthcare Leaders | 3 Cr.* |
| HCL 470 | Healthcare Leadership Strategies | 3 Cr.* |
| Choose One of the following Leadership & Practicum Paths: 9 Credits | ||
| PHS 318 | Hlth Srvcs Leadership & Administration | 3 Cr.* AND |
| PHS 470 | Public Health Practicum | 3 Cr.* AND |
| PHS 480 | Public Health Capstone | 3 Cr.* |
| OR | ||
| HCL 212 | Leadership in Healthcare Organizations | 4 Cr.* AND |
| HCL480 | Healthcare Leadership Practicum | 5 Cr.* |
| *Grade of C- (1.700) or Better Required | ||
| Interprofessional Education: 12 Credits | ||
| IPE 103 | Exploring the Health Professions | 3 Cr. |
| IPE 233 | Principles of Health Education & Promoti | 3 Cr. |
| IPE 304 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 Cr. |
| IPE 318 | Global Health Issue | 3 Cr. |
| Healthy Lifestyles General Education: 1 Credit | ||
| XS – 101 | Wellness and Stress | 1 Cr. |
| Arts and Sciences: 48 Credits | ||
| VUE 101 | Valpo Experience I | 4 Cr. |
| VUE 102 | Valpo Experience II | 4 Cr. |
| THEO 200 | The Christian Tradition | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 205 | Writing for Health Sciences | 3 Cr. |
| Upper Level Theology: 3 Credits | ||
| Humanities Elective: 3 Credits | ||
| BIO 151 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 Cr. * |
| BIO 152 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 Cr. * |
| BIO 210 | Microbiology | 4 Cr. * |
| BIO 260 | Human Nutrition | 3 Cr. * |
| PSY 110 | General Psychology | 3 Cr. * |
| PSY 201 | Statistical Methods | 3 Cr. * |
| PSY 215 | Life Span Development | 3 Cr. * |
| One Course from the Following Options: | ||
| CHEM 111 | Introduction to Chemistry | 4 Cr. * |
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 4 Cr. * |
| CHEM 131 | General Chemistry I for Chemistry Career | 4 Cr. * |
| * Grade of C- (1.700) or Better Required | ||
Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership CAREER OUTCOMES
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow much faster than the average of all other occupations through 2033 – with about 1.9 million openings each year.
Careers in Public Health and Healthcare Leadership:
- Community health worker
- Environmental health officer
- Epidemiologist
- Healthcare administrator
- Health education/health promotion specialist
- Biostatistician
Since the inception of Valpo’s public health program, our graduates have gone on to serve at Advent Health, HealthLinc, Henry Ford Health, Mayo Clinic, Stryker, various state and local health departments, and more.
